You get a refund if you overpaid your taxes the year before. This can happen if your employer withholds too much from your paychecks (based on the information you provided on your W-4). If you're self-employed, you may get a refund if you overpaid your estimated quarterly taxes.

In 2026, the rules for tax refunds (VAT/GST) vary significantly by region. In the European Union, non-EU residents are entitled to claim a VAT refund on high-value goods (typically over €100–€175 depending on the country) that they purchased for personal use and are physically taking out of the EU in their luggage. However, in the United Kingdom, the "Tax-Free Shopping" scheme for tourists was largely abolished in 2021; currently, only visitors to Northern Ireland can still claim VAT refunds on goods if they are non-UK/non-EU residents. Beyond sales tax, airline passengers globally are entitled to full cash refunds if a flight is canceled by the carrier or if there is a "significant schedule change" (typically more than 3 hours), as mandated by regulations like EU261 or the U.S. Department of Transportation rules. To claim any of these refunds, you must typically be the original purchaser and provide proof of eligibility, such as a passport and original receipts.