The airline absolutely has to refund the tax.. there is no exception even if you have a tax only ticket(redemption/voucher etc) the airlines are only charged the tax if you fly..therefore you don't fly you don't pay the tax. think of countries where you have to pay tax on departure.. if you didn't get there then you wouldn't pay it.They're pulling your leg and wallet <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> by the sounds of things!!