Unanswered5 months ago

Can I get a TIN in Thailand without a proper lease agreement?

TIN Tax Identification Number Thailand Visa Requirements Airbnb Residence Certificate

Hauke *********************

asked May 17, 2026

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Getting a TIN without an official lease?

I am planning to go to the Revenue Office tomorrow to get my TIN, because i need it to open an international bank account in my home country - and also because I'm going to stay more than 183 days in Thailand this year anyway.

I am wondering if anybody had any experiences with that, though, because in my case, I don't really have a "proper" lease agreement and so far I have stayed in Airbnbs. I have a TM30, but the Airbnb owner didn't actually file it until I requested it (because I needed it for my TM47) and then he entered completely wrong dates. Plus, in this particular Airbnb I am only staying until July. The reason for that is that I usually stay 3-4 months at a time, travel, then come back to Thailand.

What should I bring with me in terms of proof? Passport, printed out Visa, bank statements to show I have foreign-sourced income and spend money in Thailand? If a real lease is required I'm kind of out of luck at the moment. The Airbnb owner has also already refused any cooperation regarding updating the TM30 or giving any other information.

Summary so far

The user is seeking advice on obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Thailand without a formal lease agreement, as they have been staying in Airbnbs. They mention needing the TIN for opening an international bank account due to their extended stay in Thailand. The conversation reveals concerns about providing proof of residence, the necessary documents (such as a TM30 or lease agreement), and the complications arising from the Airbnb owner's lack of cooperation regarding documentation. Various comments suggest different perspectives on the requirements and implications of being classified as a tax resident.

13 repliesnewest first

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Frank-Steven ***********

If you want to open a bank account in your home country, why not use the TIN you got in your home country?

5 months ago

Hauke *********************

I don't have that TIN anymore. In fact, I haven't been in my home country since 2014, so I think it would immediately do a KYC audit to check where my address in my home country would be, which I obviously can't procure.

I also lived in the UK but already let HMRC know that I left. So I'm not sure I can use my UK TIN.

5 months ago

John *****

@Hauke ********************

your uk national insurance number will still be valid and connected to you for life.

5 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

5 months ago

Hauke *********************

@Frank-Steven **********

Do they require ALL of these or is it more a case of "one could be enough, but the more you have, the better"?

5 months ago

Frank-Steven ***********

5 months ago

Hauke *********************

@Frank-Steven **********

Thank you. I don't think this applies to me as a freelancer, though if I only earn while in Thailand.

5 months ago

LongTimeLivi************

You may also need a Residence Certificate issued from the immigration department. They will need a TM30 and maybe a lease agreement. Also a TM47 if you've been in the country for 90 days or more.

5 months ago

Hauke *********************

LongTimeLivingInThailand yeah lease is impossible to get by, since I presume that the airbnb host is running this illegally. He has dodged everything so far and wont cooperate. I'll just sit it out until later this year.

5 months ago

Elías ********

I don't know. I would personally thought you need to actually be a tax resident first to be able to get a TIN, or at least a wage earner employee (in a Thai company).

5 months ago

Hauke *********************

@Elías *******

as far as I understand it, working online while in Thailand is considered locally sourced income, even if the client is abroad and the money is in an offshore account. which is subject to taxation. I thought that evidence of this might suffice, but you're right, they probably say 'come back after 180 days'

5 months ago

Hauke *********************

I mean, as for overseas salaries, those get taxed at source, so in the country of origin, no? That way it makes sense as to why it isn't taxed in Thailand. But I'm a freelancer, so in my case, the source is myself aka the location where I am and thus my income would be considered "thai-sourced". "foreign clients" does not automatically equal "foreign source", at least tax laws generally distinguish very clearly between "foreign" and "domestic".

Which means that, since I'm spending the majority of the year in Thailand, I need to declare my income as thai-sourced. For which I need a TIN.

I mean, I'd be really happy to be wrong on this, but especially with international tax laws, I'd rather err on the side of caution because if my bank one day asks me "Where does this money come from? Did you pay taxes on it?" and I can't show them that I did, they might get me into trouble.

5 months ago

Elías ********

@Hauke ********************

No, it's not. Only remited money can be taxed. That's the main basis/attractive of the DTV visa. Nobody would bother to get it if their overseas salary was taxed here even when not remitted.

5 months ago