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Louisiana is the only state in the country that offers Tax
Free Shopping for international visitors. In fact, over 1,000
stores statewide participate in this program. Louisiana Tax
Free Shopping (LTFS) provides tax refunds to international
visitors on items purchased in Louisiana from participating
retailers. Items purchased must be tangible goods and must
leave Louisiana with the visitor. Only purchases made at participating
stores are eligible for a refund. The LTFS logo is displayed
at most retailers. International visitors with a valid foreign
passport and round-trip international travel ticket of less
than 90 days' duration are eligible for sales tax refunds.
Resident aliens and students residing in the United States
are not eligible.
When making a purchase, you need only show your foreign passport
to request a tax refund voucher from an LTFS member merchant
(Canadians may substitute a driver's license; seamen may substitute
a shore pass). You will be charged for your purchase, including
tax, and given a receipt. You will also be given a voucher
in the same amount of the sales tax refund. Vouchers and receipts
must be retained in order to receive a refund.
To redeem LTFS voucher(s), you must present the following
documents at the LTFS Refund Center, located at the New Orleans
International Airport, or at the main branch of Hibernia Bank
in Lafayette and Shreveport:
1. Voucher(s) with accompanying sales receipt(s).
2. Foreign passport with current U.S. visa, if applicable.
3. Round-trip international ticket of less than 90 days' duration.
Or, you may submit the information by mail to the address
below. A minimal refund-handling fee will be deducted from
the refund amount. For more information and a list of participating
stores, call or write for your free Tax Free Shopping Directory:
Louisiana Tax Free Shopping, 2 Canal Street, Suite 2017, New
Orleans, LA 70130, (504) 568-5323, Fax (504) 568-6670. In
Baton Rouge, call (225) 383-1825. In Lafayette, call (337)
232-3737. In Shreveport, call (318) 222-9391. Or, via e-mail,
ltfs@bellsouth.net
www.louisianataxfree.com
Information
provided by The Louisiana Office of Tourism
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