The Peruvian Government approved the supreme decree that establishes the return of the general sales tax (IGV) to foreign tourists, known as Tax Freeto promote the increase in visits to different tourist destinations in Peru.
In that sense, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Luis Fernando Helgueroindicated that the implementation of this incentive for foreign visitors would be implemented approximately in June, significantly benefiting the country tourism which was hit by the pandemic and social protests.
Likewise, the official commented that last Thursday in Minister council A Legislative Decree related to this topic was approved, which will be published shortly and has the support of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
In addition, the owner of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) pointed out that the Tax Free It is the system for promoting tourism through the refund of sales tax — or value added to tourists — that is made for purchases made in the country you visit.
Helguero said that among the main benefits of This incentive will promote the formalization of establishments dedicated to trade, aimed at tourists; It will contribute to the achievement of sector goals, such as increasing average spending and generating foreign currency.
Also, it will promote shopping tourism and the multiplier effect on the arrival of international tourists. Additionally, it will generate an increase in sales in establishments whose target audience is the tourist market, positively impacting the economy; as well as boost commercial and economic activity in several touristic destinations.
With this strategy the foreign tourists they will be able to make higher expenses during their stay in Peru, which achieves a positive impact for the benefit of the establishments that are registered and allow this process to be carried out”, said the minister.
Currently, the Sunat in coordination with the collaborating entity in charge of the process of implementing the return systems of the Tax Free It has been working on the global adherence and training of businesses that benefit from this modality of incentive purchases for foreign tourists.
It should be noted that the scheme consists in the fact that the tourist who enters the country acquires the goods that will give the right to the return of the IGV in the authorized establishments (EA)receiving for your purchase an electronic invoice and the proof Tax Free.
Before leaving the country, in the booth installed in the Jorge Chavez International Airportthe tourist requests the return of the IGV and the Sunat check the output of these goods. Then, the tourist receives the refund amount.
It is convenient to specify that only authorized establishments registered in the Register of Authorized Establishments in charge of the Sunat may sell the goods that will give the right to the return of the IGV to tourists.
Likewise, through Superintendency Resolution No. 5-2023/Sunat, published in January of this year, the Regulation of Proof of Payment and the regulations on the issuance of electronic invoices in order to allow the issuance of invoices for the sale of goods that will give the right to the IGV refund to tourists and that potential authorized establishments adapt their electronic issuance systems for this purpose.
Worldwide, this incentive is present in more than 37 countries (the main countries in number of tourists in the world: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom). In Latin America, the incentive exists in Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.
