Answereda year ago
Do I have to pay taxes in both my home country and Thailand if I remain for over 180 days?
Good day everyone!
I recently learned that if you stay in Thailand for more than 180 days, you’re considered a tax resident and have to pay taxes there.
But I’m still a bit confused — does that mean taxes need to be paid in both countries (my home country and Thailand)? Or can I transfer all my tax obligations fully to Thailand?
Also, how is this actually tracked if I can’t open a Thai bank account yet? Like… how do they even verify that money was received in Thailand in the first place?
Would really appreciate any insights or experiences on this topic 🙏
I recently learned that if you stay in Thailand for more than 180 days, you’re considered a tax resident and have to pay taxes there.
But I’m still a bit confused — does that mean taxes need to be paid in both countries (my home country and Thailand)? Or can I transfer all my tax obligations fully to Thailand?
Also, how is this actually tracked if I can’t open a Thai bank account yet? Like… how do they even verify that money was received in Thailand in the first place?
Would really appreciate any insights or experiences on this topic 🙏
Answer summary
If you stay in Thailand for over 180 days, you may be classified as a tax resident, meaning you could be required to pay taxes on assessable income. However, whether you pay taxes in both your home country and Thailand depends on the presence of a double taxation agreement (DTA) between the two countries. Many users noted that the Thai revenue authorities currently have weak enforcement of tax laws, and self-reporting is the norm unless you have substantial income. Various comments suggest consulting a tax professional for specific situations, especially regarding complex tax matters and requirements.
33 repliesnewest first
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Phil ******
@Микита *******
its complicated and i suggest talk to a professional like Integrity Legal
Anonymous ******************
So strange because with the DTV we are not allowed to work for thai companies. Most of us are tax resident for home country, bank account and money in the home country, paying taxes in the home country… makes no sense to pay taxes in Thailand as we are consired as tourists here. Anyway, I’ll pay my taxes in Europe and that’s it.
Jason ******
If your on retirment visa, and as they say you are not allowed to work on a retirement visa, then why would you pay tax, you are not earning anything to be able to pay tax right ?? Retired means retired , relax don't do anything, retired dementia , forget to fill in any forms . Yeah I can understand if you earning an income there then got to tel them.
Pete *******
@Jason *****
pensions are taxable income unless exempted by a DTA. Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you are not receiving assessable income.
Rok ********
@Jason *****
it is remitted funds which become taxable subject to being a resident for tax purposes and credit offset for any tax already paid in home country if there is a double taxation agreement.Rikki *******
This is nonsense… what about all those people on retirement visas?
Sefton ********
@Rikki ******
many live on savings but yes they also now have a potential reporting requirementRikki *******
@Sefton *******
But it has nothing to do with tax implications. They still pay tax in their country of origin.Rikki *******
@Sefton *******
Well I’ve never heard of that… maybe I have learnt something today.Sefton ********
@Rikki ******
Not in all cases no.. Entirely DTA dependant.'Some' pensions are taxed at source, eg us social security or military pensions, but most tax deferred pensions, private pensions, etc etc Even some government operated ones like Oz super are fully taxable in Thailand (on remittance, over 180 days, all the many variables). ISA SIPP etc pensions are tax delaying systems and are taxable where resident at disbursement.
Also these days people talk about pensions and often include shares, dividends, other investments they make for old age as 'pension' or mistakenly believe them to be 'savings' as Thailand defines it. Those are all 'income' also potentially capital gains if remitted..
The law here is incredibly broad, the enforcement is non existent. Thailand 101.
Steve *******
In short: don't worry about it.
We're decades away from Thailand being able to competently track and tax foreign residents.
We're decades away from Thailand being able to competently track and tax foreign residents.
Frazer ************
not yet enforced and unless you are bringing in millions of baht into Thailand every month not worth worrying about yet.
If you are bringing in lots of money each month, hire a Tax Lawyer so you can organise your funds in a way that reduces tax and don't ask people in a Facebook group for the answer
its also ''more than 6 months per calendar year'' so if you time it right you can live in Thailand for 11 months every rolling year while still spending less than 6 months in each calendar year.
If you are bringing in lots of money each month, hire a Tax Lawyer so you can organise your funds in a way that reduces tax and don't ask people in a Facebook group for the answer
its also ''more than 6 months per calendar year'' so if you time it right you can live in Thailand for 11 months every rolling year while still spending less than 6 months in each calendar year.
Anonymous ******************
Just pay tax at the 7-11
Elías ********
You don't have to pay taxes solely for being a tax resident. Also, if you're from a country with a dual tax agreement with Thailand, is that agreement itself (not the 180-day rule) which regulate all tax matters.
Rok ********
@Elías *******
you must be a resident for tax purposes first for Dual Taxation agreement to come in force (telling you how taxable amounts are treated … eg civil service pensions are fully exempt in someTreaties).
John **********
@Elías *******
the 180 day rule is totally relevant, if you don't spend 180 days in a calendar year inside Thailand any dual tax agreement is irrelevantElías ********
@John *********
I was talking about the details and extent of what you might need to pay or not. The DTA supersedes any national law.John **********
@Elías *******
it does, but only once you become a Thai tax residentSefton ********
How this works legally is too complex to answer from what you have disclosed as it concerns your dual tax agreement, source income country, if its income or savings etc.. If you are actually concerned see a professional who does expat taxes (not a local Thai accountant).
But there is zero enforcement currently, its just routinely ignored.
But there is zero enforcement currently, its just routinely ignored.
Paul *******
@Sefton *******
You'd need to talk to a Thai citizen since expats can't advise on Thai tax matters. The rest of your comment is on point.Sefton ********
@Paul ******
that seems to me to largely be an issue that ben at integrity legal makes, to discredit anyone he doesn't agree with (while being frequently more wrong than right on this issue). The legal industry here is full of non Thais operating in managing roles who are far more skilled at explaining the nuance of the law in English than their Thai colleagues.
Anyone who has dealt with Thai lawyers at a regional level will know the skills, accountability, and professionalism in the industry is a wide range.
Paul *******
@Sefton *******
It's illegal for foreigners to offer Thai tax advice. It's a restricted occupation.Микита ********
OPSefton ********
American International Tax Advisors
Carl Turner
2 primary ones.
Carl Turner
2 primary ones.
Pete *******
If your country has a double taxation agreement with Thailand you won’t pay tax twice but you will pay the higher rate. Some DTAs exempt certain types of income.
Pete *******
180 days inside Thailand in a calendar year and you automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the Thai Revenue Department. For you to pay tax you must first have assessable income, either domestic or foreign remitted. The RD doesn’t track anything (putting CRS aside) the law states it is up to you to self declare your income to them in your tax filing. No income (living off savings for example) no need to file taxes.
Микита ********
OP@Pete ******
which was transferred into Thailand — so even if it’s to a foreign card, right?And in that case, I’d have to pay taxes in two countries, correct?
If I don’t have a Thai bank account and still receive money to my EU account, paying taxes there as a sole proprietor — do I also have to pay them again in Thailand? Am I getting this right?
John **********
@Микита *******
it depends. If the country where you pay tax in the EU has a dual tax agreement with Thailand then you can claim a tax credit against Thai tax for tax already paid on the money you bring inPete *******
@Микита *******
try Thailand Tax rules for Expats group for more detailed explanations.Elías ********
@Микита *******
you'll get 100 different answers from 100 people. In what I'm concerned, credit card use isn't considered a remittance.Sefton ********
@Pete ******
It'sa complex one but I agree. One counter argument is if you pay off the debt with taxable income while retaining the goods or services incounttry you lose that advantage. You can't take a 1 day loan, send it in, call it debt, then pay it off with external (taxable if remitted) funds the next day and say it is non taxable debt.
But now it's into the tiniest of splitting hairs and I doubt there's even legal precedent only opinion to work with.
Pete *******
@Sefton *******
there is a difference between debit and credit card remittances. One may be taxed the other not. Doing into debt is not a taxable event.Sefton ********
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