We attempted to reclaim VAT through a 3rd party (VAT IT) and it turned into a HUGE nightmare, so we pulled out when our contract expired. The process was promised to take very little time on CU's part and was laborious instead. In addition, any refunds received come in bulk and cannot be tied to the specific department/funding source that paid the initial tax burden. This is a big problem as federal funds require repayment for any refunds received. We do not require our travelers to complete VAT paperwork when traveling.

We have not sought out VAT yet. I've looked into it, and the lodging receipt must be in the name of the institution, instead of or in addition to the traveler's name being on the invoice. Without the organization name on the invoice, VAT cannot be reclaimed. This requirement, in itself, puts a huge damper on our ability to reclaim the tax.