Did you know Louisiana was the first state in the U.S. to offer sales tax refunds to international visitors?! This means: International visitors to the state of Louisiana are finding a shopping paradise in Louisiana- providing a sales tax refund for international shoppers on purchases made at nearly 900 tax free stores.
Not to be confused with "duty free" shops at international departure terminals in airports, "Louisiana Tax Free Shopping" is available at well known retail stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Best Buy, Macy's, J.C. Penney, Gucci, The Gap, Sears, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Coach, etc. Tax Free stores also include manufacturer outlets, other department stores, jewelry stores, art and antique stores, computers and electrical appliances, as well as hundreds of smaller specialty shops throughout the state.
Most of the major shopping centers in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge area are tax-free zones.
The sales tax refund is provided on tangible items purchased at tax-free stores and permanently removed from the United States. There is no refund for sales taxes paid for personal services, such as: hotels, restaurants, entertainment and transportation.
When making a purchase and showing a foreign passport or current official picture identification, the international visitor pays the purchase price, including the sales tax, and is given a voucher, along with the associated sales receipt or invoice. To obtain the refund at the "Refund Center" in the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Downtown Refund Center located in Riverwalk Marketplace next to the Convention Center, or the main branch of Capital One Bank in Lafayette and Shreveport, you must present all vouchers and corresponding sales receipts, passport and international travel ticket. The refund is paid in U.S. currency up to $500. Checks are issued on refunds over $500. Refunds can also be obtained by mail. Please contact us if you want to get your tax return.