Additional offices are planned in Ensenada, Toluca, Queretaro, Leon and Progreso. Cruise passengers can use the offices located in Mazatlán, Loreto and Ensenada in the northern Pacific; in Puerto Chiapas in the southern Pacific at the border of Guatemala; and in Puerto Progreso in the Yucatán Peninsula. The offices in Leon, Queretaro and Toluca airports will provide service to travelers exploring the colonial cities.
'With these new offices, MONEYBACK will cover 98.1% of all cruise passenger arrivals and 96.3% of all departures of international travelers through Mexican airports,' according to Danielle van der Kwartel, general director of MONEYBACK. She said the company can offer cruisers who shop a tax refund in a simpler way.
MONEYBACK refunds international travelers the value added tax, returning 8.9% of the amount they spent when they purchase at any of the 6,000 affiliated stores. There is no limit when paying with credit card, but the minimum purchase is $1,200 pesos (approximately US$83). Purchases in cash could be of any minimum amount but are limited to $3,000 pesos (US$200); the refund applies only to $3,000 pesos.
When purchasing, the customer must request a VAT itemized invoice and submit it at the MONEYBACK office along with the shopping incentive refund form, credit card vouchers, copy of their passport, cruise identification or immigration form and boarding pass, before leaving the country. In fewer than 45 days international travelers will receive their refund to their credit card, MONEYBACK said.
Travel agents can assist their clients filling out the refund form before their trip to Mexico. MONEYBACK is training travel agents on its services through its website, where agents can download a webinar and the refund request forms. Agents can also register to receive updates and participate in giveaways.
The tax refund program was created to increase tourism and shopping in Mexico through the return of the valued added tax. MONEYBACK said all international travelers arriving to Mexico by cruise or air can benefit. The company facilitates the refund and said it has spearheaded the initiative with the approval of Mexico’s Ministry of Finance.
MONEYBACK has more than 50 offices in all major ports, shopping malls and airports including Mexico City, Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Loreto, Mérida and the cruise ports of Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Chiapas, Mazatlán and Mahahual (Costa Maya).
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