The headline VAT rate is not your refund
A tax-inclusive price contains VAT inside the final price. The refundable tax is calculated from the net price, and refund operators may subtract a service fee.
Eligibility matters
Refund rules can depend on residency, minimum purchase amount, product type, export deadline, and whether the store participates in a refund program.
When it is worth doing
VAT refunds are most useful for larger purchases. For small purchases, the time spent on forms, airport validation, and operator fees may be worth more than the refund itself.