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Do people living in Thailand on a DTV need to file a tax return if not earning money in Thailand?
ThailandDTV (Digital Nomad Visa)tax residencytax returnsexpatsimmigrationincome taxationvisa regulations
Jan 16, 2026
3 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERjust curious, do people living in thailand on dtv - but not earning money in thailand do their tax return, this applies to those staying 180+ days each year.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Living in Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) does not automatically exempt individuals from tax obligations. While many believe that a DTV precludes earning in Thailand, tax liabilities can arise if one stays in the country for 180 days or more and has assessable income. Expats from other countries may have different obligations based on their home country's tax laws, particularly for those from countries with double taxation agreements (DTAA). It's generally suggested to seek professional tax advice to navigate these complexities.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Rok ********
The tax Law is clear however obtaining the tax number and enforcement is another matter and hence the compliance is low.
Anonymous ******************
Because we're not doing that .. if the government wants something from you here, believe me,they will find a way of notifying you, up until then just relax
Phil ******
@anonymous participant get professional advice
Stephan ******
Usually your home country is the taxable one and you're not supposed to be earning money in Thailand on a DTV which is the point of it, it's not a work permit it's a remote work permit, hence the nickname digital nomad visa
Marb ********
@Stephan *****
yeah but just because you earn money elsewhere doesn’t mean you have no assessable income. If you bring that money into Thailand in the same year it was earned, yes you are liable for filing a return since you have assessable incomeMartin *********
@Marb *******
Not correct. This is a huge misunderstanding. You are only liable for tax in Thailand if you stay in Thailand 180 days or more in the calendar year. If you stay less than 180 days you can bring in as much money as you want without being taxed.Marb ********
@Martin ********
obviously.. thanks for pointing out the obvious, you’re a geniusReply to
Marb ********
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Copper*******
Wherever your from you file tax return simple as 🤣 your dtv allows you here as tourist not a resident
Pete *******
CopperElk5611 your visa status is irrelevant to your tax residency status. Two separate animals.
Pete *******
CopperElk5611 yeah that’s not how it works at all.
Copper*******
Pete Power so your not a tourist on a dtv ? They must mis printed my visa then 😂
Anonymous ******************
CopperElk5611 you're not getting it dude. You can be a tourist and have tax residency in the country that your a tourist in 😉
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Anonymous ******************
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Marb ********
CopperElk5611 so confident yet so wrong lmao
Anonymous ******************
CopperElk5611 you should probably do some googling about tax residency 😂 if your more than 180days in a year somewhere then your a tax resident. Regardless if your a 'tourist'. Residency and tax residency are different things
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
I am living of my savings I allready paid tax on. Ridiculous if i have to pay even more tax on my spendings in Thailand 🤦♀️
Pete *******
Anonymous participant 374 savings are not assessable for Thai tax. But those savings must have been cash in the bank before the 1st Jan in the year you became Thai tax resident.
Anonymous ******************
So 2024 i was 3 months in thailand so not tax resident. 2025 i was 9 months in thailand what means anything what came to my account on 2025 is taxable? Well then i won't pay tax in my home country as I can say I am tax resident of Thailand? Not that easy? Do they have tax free minimum threshold?
Pete *******
Anonymous participant 374 you are talking nonsense. You don’t have the option of paying tax or not paying tax in your home country. Educate yourself.
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Pete *******
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Nongnuch ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 374 just prove that you already had these savings before January 1st, 2024. Then you do not need to pay any Thai tax
David ******
Anonymer Teilnehmer 374 DTAA
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David ******
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Pete *******
Thai tax residents are legally obliged to file a Thai tax return if they have assessable income above minimum thresholds. The visa they hold is irrelevant.
Martin *********
Pete Power Not correct. You do not have any tax obligation to Thailand unless you stay in the country for 180 days or more. You do not become a tax resident of Thailand if you stay 179 days or less per calendar year in the country.
Rok ********
@Martin ********
he did say”Thai Tax Residents”Pete *******
@Martin ********
are you thick? What part of “Thai tax residents” do you fail to understand?Reply to
Pete *******
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Ryan ********
If you're from the US you should still file with the IRS. Even though you technically don't need to, if you ever go through a process that requires prior tax returns, you'll want to have filed. Also keeps fraudsters at bay.
John **********
Whether you need to file a tax return or not depends on whether you bring any assessable income into Thailand or not. People on a DTV can't earn money in Thailand but they still potentially have a tax liability in Thailand
Nongnuch ********
@John *********
"potentially" 😎😂 I remember that last year, there was so much heated commotion about the Thai tax ruling, that my laptop almost caught fire. At the moment, there is a graveyard silenceGarrett ***********
@John *********
Anyone can "earn money" in ThailandJohn **********
@Garrett **********
how so if they are on a visa that prevents them working in Thailand?Anonymous ******************
@John *********
working is not the only way to earn moneyJohn **********
Anonymous participant 453
earn
/ərn/
verb
obtain (money) in return for labor or services.
earn
/ərn/
verb
obtain (money) in return for labor or services.
Reply to
John **********
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Toni *******
@John *********
yes and people from countries with DTA with Thailand, most likely dont have to pay any taxes even if bringing all income here. However, you still need to do the report. And its not visa related, only days in Thailand is what mattersReply to
Toni *******
Reply
Sjef ***************
Im not
Reply to
Sjef ***************
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