What happens why you try to make a TRS glaim on goods purchased at Myer using Commbank awards points?
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS):
The TRS is a wonderful scheme we have here in Australia that lets anyone (including Australian residents) claim back the GST (goods and service tax) paid on goods that you take out of the country. The basic requirements are that you spend at least $300 at one retailer, and take them out of Australia within 60 days. (Full details are on the Australian Customs website.)
“Pay with Points”:
This is a relatively new scheme that lets you redeem your Commonwealth Bank credit card awards points directly for points in-store at Myer. At the time of writing, 186 points = $1. (Full details are on the CBA and Myer websites.)
Problem:
If you were planning to make a TRS claim on goods purchased at Myer using Commbank awards points, you may have a problem.
If you “pay with points” at Myer, the tax invoice will not show any GST. This is despite the tax invoice indicating that the items purchased are taxable. You can’t claim a GST refund if the tax invoice says that no GST was paid.
Solution 1:
Use your Commbank awards points to purchase a Myer gift card, then use the gift card to purchase your goods.
This will yield you a tax invoice that does show a GST amount, and is therefore eligible for a TRS refund.
You may get some funny looks when you ask the cashier to purchase a gift card of the same value as the goods you are holding, just smile and nod.
Solution 2:
If you’ve already purchased the goods:
- Go back to Myer
- Explain that you need a tax invoice showing GST so that you can make a TRS claim
- Ask very very nicely if they could possibly pretty please:
- Refund the original transaction
- Issue you a Myer returns card
- Re-do the transaction and pay with the returns card
This will yield you a tax invoice that does show a GST amount, and is therefore eligible for a TRS refund.
This is a lot of work for the staff, so be very nice to them and thank them profusely afterwards. (Leila from the Sydney City store – you’re an absolute champion.)