Do tourists pay VAT in Italy?
Do tourists pay VAT in Italy? When shopping in Italy, or any country in the EU, you will always be paying the VAT (Value Added Tax), or, as it's called in Italy, the IVA. Look at the bottom of your Italian shopping receipt and you'll see the tax line item for the IVA.
How can I avoid paying VAT?
Shipping your purchases home directly from the retailer is another way to avoid paying VAT, but the added cost may outweigh any savings.
Do you tip in Italy?
If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.