Eligible Digital Tax Refunds are now available across 16 countries, allowing users to receive refunds directly to their GCash e-wallets in Philippine pesos through the new in-app feature
Filipino travelers shopping abroad can now receive eligible tax refunds in minutes through their GCash wallets, eliminating weeks of waiting for bank or credit card credits and avoiding the hassle of carrying leftover foreign currency after their trip.
Powered by Alipay+ and its global tax refund partner Global Blue, the new Digital Tax Refund feature enables outbound Filipino travelers to receive tax refunds instantly and directly in Philippine Peso (PHP) through the GCash app. The service will initially be available across 16 countries, namely Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland, with more countries to be added soon.
Traditionally, travelers claiming tax refunds overseas choose between receiving cash in foreign currency, which may be difficult to use after returning home, or waiting one to four weeks, or even longer, for refunds to be credited to their bank accounts or credit cards. Currency conversion fees and exchange rate fluctuations can further reduce the value of the refund.
The Digital Tax Refund feature addresses these challenges by allowing users to receive their refunds directly in Philippine pesos through their GCash wallets. Available on the GCash dashboard or under the "Enjoy" category by tapping "View All," the feature offers a faster and more convenient alternative to conventional refund methods.
Using the service is designed to fit seamlessly into the existing airport tax refund process. After presenting the required travel and shopping documents to customs for validation, travelers can open the Tax Refund feature in the GCash app, accept the one-time Terms and Conditions, and generate a personal QR code. Once scanned by the airport tax refund counter representative, the refund is instantly converted to Philippine pesos and credited directly to the user's GCash wallet, accompanied by a real-time confirmation notification.
"International travel should be about enjoying the journey, not worrying about lengthy refund processes or leftover foreign currency. Through Digital Tax Refund, we are giving Filipino travelers a faster and more convenient way to receive the money they are entitled to, directly in Philippine pesos through the GCash app they already use every day,"
Carlos Bauza, Vice President for International Payments of GCash International, emphasized.
The Digital Tax Refund feature reflects the continued evolution of digital financial services in making cross-border transactions more convenient for Filipinos. Through solutions that simplify international travel, digital platforms can help travelers save time, maximize the value of their purchases, and enjoy more seamless financial experiences wherever they go across the 16 available countries.
For more information, visit https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/51318766615193-How-to-claim-a-Digital-Tax-Refund
About Mynt
Mynt is the first and only $5 billion unicorn in the Philippines. It's a leader in mobile financial services focused on accelerating financial inclusion through mobile money, financial services, and technology. Mynt operates two fintech companies: GXI, the mobile wallet operator of GCash — the #1 Finance App in the Philippines, and Fuse Lending, a tech-based lending company that gives Filipinos access to microloans and business loans.
About GCash
GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash’s mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.
Mynt and GCash are staunch supporters of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.
For more information, please contact:
Bruce Rodriguez, Head of Business Communications
Corporate Communications
Legal Disclaimer & Safe Harbor Statement
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form part of, any offer, solicitation, or invitation to sell, issue, purchase, or subscribe for any securities in the Philippines, the United States, or any other jurisdiction. No securities of Mynt, Inc. have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. There will be no public offering of the securities of the Company in the United States. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this document or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this document or the information contained herein, will not be accepted. Any potential initial public offering and listing in the Philippines, if pursued, remain fully subject to prevailing market conditions and regulatory approvals, including the registration requirements of the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission and the listing rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc., and there can be no assurance that any such filings will be made or that any offering or listing will be consummated. This document contains forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties; actual results, timelines, and outcomes may differ materially from those projected due to shifting market dynamics, economic environments, and regulatory updates.
