In September 2013, I applied for a VAT refund on funeral expenses paid. An acknowledgement was received (Ref. FU/1282/13). On enquiring by phone, the officer responsible for refunds stated that it was normal for an application to take an average of four months to be processed. My application was still being processed after six months had passed.

I would like whoever is responsible to consider removing the payment of VAT on funeral expenses. In this way, there would be no need to file an application, issue an acknowledgement, process the application and issue the refund. This bureaucratic process would become unnecessary, to the relief of VAT employees and citizens too.

Why make us pay VAT first and give us a refund six months or more later? This is ridiculous.