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How do I navigate tax obligations as a 180-day Thai Tax Resident?
Nov 5, 2025
6 months ago
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTERJust went to the Thai Tax Revenue office about how to pay taxes as a 180 day Thai Tax Resident and I got a Deer in the Headlights look. Literally no one knows the answers to this đ
TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat shared an experience at the Thai Tax Revenue office seeking guidance on paying taxes as a 180-day resident but faced confusion from the staff. The discussion revealed that tax advice from Revenue officials might not be reliable, and fellow expats suggested waiting to be contacted by authorities or seeking private accounting help instead. Many expats seem to avoid addressing tax matters, believing enforcement is lax.
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ŕ¸ŕ¸´ŕ¸Ąŕ¸Ąŕ¸ľŕš *************
Why ? You are here to relax and chill out. Why cause unnecessary hassle ?
Ian *********
WAIT TILL THEY ASK FOR IT LOL . but before u pay check the tax agreement .
Alan ******
Unbelievable some folks
Gary **********
That's because they can't believe anyone's stupid enough to walk into the tax department to ask this.
Try an accountant if you're that keen.
Try an accountant if you're that keen.
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gary *********
are you a clown? You think if someone builds up the energy to go to the actual office, they havenât already contacted several accountants? What planet are you living on? The dumbest of all? Honestly speaking your comment is one a circus clown with autism and retardation would make. Yes I am serious Gary. You can retract your dumb remark I will forgive you. But first you need to admit your comment was dumbJay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gary *********
been there done that several times overReply to
Jay *******
Reply
Graham *******
Globally Tax offices rarely give Tax advice.
Maarten *********
Why do you want to wake up a sleeping dog ???
Tore *********
@Maarten ********
Coz that dog will likely come bite you in the ass later....Most of us pay net zero tax due to DTA's and tax credit. But you're still supposed to file, then deduct tax credits (tax paid in source country) depending on DTA's. Makes banking much smoother, and future safer having paperwork in order. Thailand is no different that other countries. Its your own responsibility. Crying that nobody told you when your account gets frozen wont help in the future.
Reply to
Tore *********
Reply
ŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸Ťŕšŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸ľŕš *******
Wait for them to contact you.
Tore *********
@ŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸Ťŕšŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸ľŕš ******
Very bad advice lolGraham *******
@ŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸Ťŕšŕ¸ŕ¸ŕ¸ľŕš ******
by then its too late, the fine is 200% and a criminal conviction!Reply to
Graham *******
Reply
Larry ***************
I have many many friends living here as I do all of them full-time and not one of them myself included has done anything about the tax. Because they implemented and then you hear nothing more about it when's the last time you heard it mentioned in the Thai news or in the Thai groups for expats me I haven't heard it in months and months. Because it would have to be enforced and nobody's going to enforce it
Roger ********
@Larry **************
the law as it stands is not actively enforced. Hardly enforceable. The tax people need to know who is in Thailand, how long they have been here and what monies they bring in. As neither the Immigration Dept. nor the Banks provide that information, they can only rely on you volunteering it. That may change, but there's little sign of it yet. I only know of one person registered among my circle of friends and that person remit money from the rent of a Condo in Germany.Larry ***************
@Roger *******
like I previously said I agree immigration the banks and the Thai tax people are all going to have to get together and play from the same hymn book. Honestly all kidding aside does anybody really think that's going to happen anytime soonRoger ********
@Larry **************
Immigration consider themselves an elite. No way will they climb into bed with the taxman. After all, the taxman might want to look at the backhanders from agents.Reply to
Roger ********
Reply
Graham *******
@Larry **************
Why would you hear from them? It's your responsibility to be compliant.Larry ***************
@Graham ******
let me rephrase that myself and the many friends I have here have yet to hear from them about not complying there you go sorry about that I made it unclearGraham *******
@Larry **************
The directive from the finance minister was: As 1st Jan 2024 the tax office will enforce the tax laws on all residents regardless of nationality. The first tax returns due under this new regime should have been filled by end of March 2025, that was only 8 months ago. You have to give them a little time before they start the enforcement through prosecution. If and how rigorously this might be enforced remains to be seen. If you believe you are off the hook because they have not knock on your door yet, you and your friends are a little premature!Roger ********
@Graham ******
Your source?Larry ***************
@Graham ******
We will seeGraham *******
@Larry **************
In deed. The letter from the Tax office looks like this: Dear Mr Gearhart. We notice you have not filled a tax return for the last 5 years; We do notice that 1,000,000 Baht has been deposited in your Bangkok Bank account each year from your pension provider. We also notice usd550k deposited last year, which I am still investigating for use in a house purchase using a company with nominee shareholders already found guilty and is also subject to income tax which you will be advised of at a later date (if you transferred this money to your wife as a gift and you also live in this house you will both be prosecuted for fraud). We are therefore applying emergency tax to your account of 340,000 baht (34%) per year plus 680,000 baht per year (200% penalty) which make tax due of (340,000+*****
0) *5 immediately, failure to pay will result in criminal proceeding! Since you are late filling, we will not allow you any allowance nor will we respect any dual tax agreement. In respect of your illegal house purchase this matter is with the commerce department who are preparing a criminal complaint against you. Kap Kun Kap!Larry ***************
@Graham ******
đ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł and Santa Claus in the Easter Bunny are real tooBruce ***********
@Larry **************
I'm not volunteering anythingReply to
Bruce ***********
Reply
Pete *******
You must realise that the people you are speaking with at the Revenue are low paid unqualified data entry clerks and not professionally qualified tax advisers. They can enter some data into a computer but thatâs about it. Not people to take tax advice from.
Tore *********
@Pete ******
exactly this! I walked into Khlong Toei area 2 revenue office. Dressed formally (as you always should with thai offices). Copies of my paperwork, pre filled LP.10.1 form, bank statements showing the assessable remitted funds and explained that i need tax ID and why. 15 min later I walk out with tax ID. You tell them politely what you need and why. They wonât argue if you come prepared.
Sometimes I wonder how people survived in their home country đ¤ˇđťââď¸
My net tax is still going to be zero. But why risk not having papers in order. Bank problems, future problems in Thailand when not being able to document stuff. Just bizarre people arenât taking it seriously. The rules are well documented, DTAs downloadable on the web. Pdf guides in English available for foreigners on thai RDA website
Tore *********
IF you spend more than 180 days in a given calendar year and IF you bring in funds that are tax assessable: You are supposed to file taxes.
The rules are quite clear, well published, and easily confirmed by talking to a real lawyer or tax advisor.
Everyones situation is different, but in allot cases money remitted into Thailand are tax assessable.
- If you bring in money thatâs tax assessable according to Thai Law: youâre supposed to file taxes. Then potentially deduct tax paid in source country as tax credits . (Depending on DTAs)
- If you only bring in non-assessable funds: no need to file taxes.
What type of funds are assessable or not is well documented and can depend on country specific tax treaties/DTAs.
Itâs really not that hard. But I certainly recommend a good tax advisor if youâre unable to understand the rules.
*****************************************************************************************
The rules are quite clear, well published, and easily confirmed by talking to a real lawyer or tax advisor.
Everyones situation is different, but in allot cases money remitted into Thailand are tax assessable.
- If you bring in money thatâs tax assessable according to Thai Law: youâre supposed to file taxes. Then potentially deduct tax paid in source country as tax credits . (Depending on DTAs)
- If you only bring in non-assessable funds: no need to file taxes.
What type of funds are assessable or not is well documented and can depend on country specific tax treaties/DTAs.
Itâs really not that hard. But I certainly recommend a good tax advisor if youâre unable to understand the rules.
Graham *******
@Pete ******
BTW they don't speak English and are not authorised to give Tax filling advice.Pete *******
@Graham ******
very true...Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
Yo***
@Pete ******
yes. But, they, working in tax office, are the persons who track you and give you gentle tax payment bills. đTore *********
@Yo***
not how it works here, not how it works in your home country. Always your own responsibility to understand whatâs expectedPete *******
@Yo***
nope, the Thai Revenue Department doesnât operate like that. The legal obligation is on you to report your own affairs.Yo***
@Pete ******
If the revenue department does not do this, who does it in Thailand? There are always an enforcement teams that do this regarding tax. In USA, UK, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, etc.. all countries have this. Who does this in Thailand if revenue department does not do? I meant, who collect tax and enforce someone who did not pay tax rightly? PS) If you did not pay tax or against tax law in your country, who makes it up in your country? or they just leave you alone? not paying tax? or what do they do in such cases?Pete *******
@Yo***
they have enforcement teams but the resources are limited so they go after the many big fish in Thailand. Your personal income tax enforcement is not high on their radar unless of course you come to their attention through criminal activity.Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
Peter **********
@Pete ******
On top of that I see a huge language incompatibility here. Most Thai people have limited or no command of the English language and if the foreigner also has language problems (see post) then that is by itself a guarantee for misunderstanding.Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete ******
you keep saying very open ended things that create more confusion. The truth is you donât know. No one knows.Leonard *********
@Jay ******
It is painfully obvious that you are the one that doesnât knowJay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Leonard ********
okay how to know? Posting in groups doesnât yield answers, going to tax offices donât yield answers, going to tax accountants doesnât yield and answerďżź. How tf would you know if no one else knows?Tore *********
@Jay ******
what barstool tax advisors have you talked to? The rules are quite clear, well published, and easily confirmed by talking to a real lawyer or tax advisor. (Link to rda below)
Everyones situation is different, but in allot cases money remitted into Thailand are tax assessable.
- If you bring in money thatâs tax assessable according to Thai Law: youâre supposed to file taxes. Then potentially deduct tax paid in source country as tax credits . (Depending on DTAs)
- If you only bring in non-assessable funds: no need to file taxes.
What type of funds are assessable or not is well documented and can depend on country specific tax treaties/DTAs.
Itâs really not that hard. But I certainly recommend a good tax advisor if youâre unable to understand the rules.
But its very easy to understand: IF you spend more than 180 days in a given calendar year and IF you bring in funds that are tax assessable: You are supposed to file taxes.
*****************************************************************************************
Reply to
Tore *********
Reply
Peter **********
@Jay ******
âno one knowsâ is the biggest bartalk story I keep hearing from people who donât go beyond sticking their heads in the sand and simply deny that there might be a liability.Tax liabilities are different for each individual here, so a five lined post will never bear enough information for a definitive answer. Giving indefinite answers is the only choice.
âWir haben es nicht gewusstâ will not protect anyone from legal obligations. The excuse has been attempted and tested before.
Pete *******
@Jay ******
Give me the tax statement I made that you disagree with so I can understand your issueReply to
Pete *******
Reply
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Pete ******
actually you are the one who has the loudest voice on this subject I noticed. Yet you canât even provide one credible tax advisor or professional to support your claimsTore *********
@Jay ******
He still absolutely 100% correct đ¤ˇđťââď¸. According to published information from Revenue department, my Thai tax advisor and lawyer. But as everything it depends in your actual situation. If you have brought in no tax assessable fund into Thailand, no need to file taxes.
Things like pension are typically assessable but tax already paid can be deducted as tax credits (depending in dual tax treaties). Capital gains are assessable, but then there are tax exemptions like crypto if sold via Thai approved exchanges.
Everyones situation is different. So yes, a tax advisor is best. But in surprisingly many cases you are supposed to file. Even if net tax is zero after tax credits are deducted.
The enforcement on this a different matter though. But i for one prefer to be tax resident hereâŚ.
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tore ********
yeah I am at around 150 days in country was going to stay though the new year but going to Vietnam now so I donât exceed 180. I donât want to deal with the confusion and additional paperwork when I could just go to another country in the regionTore *********
@Jay ******
sure. Just make sure youâre tax resident somewhere to avoid banking troubles.Tax rules in Thailand arenât very complicated at all though
Reply to
Tore *********
Reply
Pete *******
@Jay ******
which claims exactly? I merely repeat what is in the Thai Revenue Code.Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
John *********
Err why go in the first placeđ
Dave **********
John Hampton we have been here 9 years no problems...Best place to live ever.
Darryle *******
@Dave *********
same been here 10 years.Reply to
Darryle *******
Reply
John *********
âCertain peopleâđ¤đ¤ˇđžââď¸
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ********
because certain people are claiming that if we stay here 180 days plus we must pay taxesTore *********
@Jay ******
filing doesnât necessarily mean paying. *****************************************************************************************
The rules are quite clear, well published, and easily confirmed by talking to a real lawyer or tax advisor.
Everyones situation is different, but in allot cases money remitted into Thailand are tax assessable.
- If you bring in money thatâs tax assessable according to Thai Law: youâre supposed to file taxes. Then potentially deduct tax paid in source country as tax credits . (Depending on DTAs)
- If you only bring in non-assessable funds: no need to file taxes.
What type of funds are assessable or not is well documented and can depend on country specific tax treaties/DTAs.
Itâs really not that hard. But I certainly recommend a good tax advisor if youâre unable to understand the rules.
Dave **********
@Jay ******
a lot of ridiculous comments oh brother...James **********
@Jay ******
you listen to too much Bar stool talk .Marc ********
@Jay ******
you must be registered but not necessary pay anythingJames **********
@Marc *******
you can register if you want head in the sand ,stop with all your BSMarc ********
@James *********
yes and you can ignore it and maybe face the consequences. đ¤ˇPeter **********
@Marc *******
If you have no assessable income then you donât even have to register.Check Thailand Tax rules for expats for more information.
Steven *********
@Peter *********
I've been told otherwise from a thai / foreigners tax company in Bangkok.. get the the tax number and fill it in as blank if that is the case.. a lot is changing now with the banking systems and they are digging more than they have done before.. reading about the lad from OZ a couple of days ago , and how his bank in OZ were threatening to close his account at home if he never shared his thai tax number with them.Peter **********
@Steven ********
I donât know what âfill it in as blankâ means when related to your tax number.About the bankâs attitude: They are legally bound to do this due to CRS requirements. Every bank I know lists in its T&C that you are required to provide truthful and complete answers to their information requests or they *may* close your account.
It is what it is.
Marc ********
@Peter *********
Sure you have to register once you stay 180 days in the country. But they will not charge anything. But that's not up to you to decide if you pay or not. The money you bring and spend in Thailand counts as income. Even creditcardLes ***********
@Marc *******
And they are going to tax all Tourists when they use a credit card?Peter **********
@Les **********
He is just bending in all kinds of weird curves to avoid admitting that he doesnât know the rules.Scare mongering. đ
Marc ********
@Peter *********
you are the guy will be laughing and send dork smiley when in 5 years people posting getting slapped with big fines because they failed to register.đ¤ĄPeter **********
@Marc *******
Scare mongerâŚCall me when all those massive fines are imposed on Americans bringing in only social security. Youâre dreaming, scaring people for no good reason. I hope people will acquire proper information rather than listening to your Halloween version.
Marc ********
@Peter *********
I wonder how you live in Thailand if you don't bring money in the country𤥠you don't need to eat etc.?đ¤ĄPeter **********
@Marc *******
Live from savings or live from any other source which doesnât qualify as âtaxable incomeâ under the Thai revenue code, or live from income which is excluded by a dta.I bet more than 50% of expats have *zero* assessable income and thus have NO REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER FOR A TIN.
I am ending this ridiculous discussion now. You keep twisting and turning. I once again state the truth: If you donât have assessable income you do NOT have to register for a TIN.
And now this ends with you on my block list.
Marc ********
@Peter *********
All I know is if you stay 180 days in a calendar you become a tax resident. What exactly they consider as income I don't know. So better register if you spend money there to avoid future problems𤥠it's just common senseMarc ********
@Les **********
If they stay more than 179 days apparently they canPeter **********
@Marc *******
Hypothetical Case:1) I am tax resident since 2024.
2) My foreign income is 100,000 baht per month.
3) I bring monthly 79,000 baht into Thailand.
4) I pay zero tax in my home country.
A )Do I need to get a TIN?
B ) Do I need to pay tax in Thailand?
No matter what you answer, I will prove you wrong.
Marc ********
@Peter *********
I don't know if you need to pay tax. All I know is you need to be registered if you stay 180 days in a calendar year. You will not prove me wrong by telling me I am wrong.Marc ********
@Peter *********
you think in 10 years from now if they look in the system and they see you had been staying the full year in 2025 but never registered in the revenue system they will just take your word for it "oh I didn't have any income so I didn't need to sign up I don't need to pay tax anyway"?Peter **********
@Marc *******
Nope. You need to have proof. Thatâs the âpriceâ of not filing.In the hypothetical case mentioned earlier: I simply show a bank letter with my savings per
*****
/2023 and every *****
thereafter showing how my savings decreased with 12x79,000baht each year.I lived 100% on savings, no assessable income ever, no TIN required.
Big dealâŚ
Considering your lack of knowledge or understanding Iâd say showing 11 letters from the bank might be a huge problem for you.
Marc ********
@Peter *********
if they even consider credit cards expenses and atm withdrawals as income you will have a hard time coming up with all the documents. And even if you only have savings. In a Thai bank account it needs to be registered. They will decide if you pay tax or notPeter **********
@Marc *******
Donât obscure the topic. Being tax resident is *not* the sole requirement for getting a tin, despite youâre claiming otherwise three or four times.
You are spreading false information.
Eot
Marc ********
@Peter *********
I don't spread false information. Once you stayed more than 179 days in calendar year you become a tax resident. It's a fact. They will want to know about you.If they even consider creditcard expenses as potential income they definately will want you to register.
And they will decide what amount is considered assessable income and not you
Period
Marc ********
@Peter *********
so what? You still need to be registered after 179 days. Regardless if you have any income at all or notPeter **********
@Marc *******
No, you donât. Wrong answer.
You only need to register if you are tax resident *and* bring in assessable income.
You are spreading false information.
Peter **********
@Marc *******
No you donât necessarily have to register. The tax law says you need to register when you are tax resident (180 days rule) *and* have assessable income.Eg. people who live on savings or US social security never have to register for a TIN.
Marc ********
@Peter *********
yes that's what I said if you stay 180 days in calendar year. And then things such as credit card expenses and any money you bring in the country or take from ATM counts. So once you stay 180 days you need to registerRoger ********
Roger ********
@Marc *******
not correctMarc ********
@Roger *******
yes correct. You need to be registered. PeriodRoger ********
@Marc *******
wrong. I have written ghe correct answer above.Marc ********
@Roger *******
I don't even see your answer. All I know is that you have to register if you stay 180 days in a calendar year. Regardless if you think it makes sense or notRoger ********
If you stay more than 180 days in Thailand you automatically qualify as a tax resident. However, you do not need to register unless/ until you remit into the country an "assessable sum". Then you have 30 days to register and must submit a tax return before the following April. No "assessable sum" no need to register. That is the current law.
Peter **********
@Roger *******
Correct, but âwithin 60 daysâ, not 30.John **********
@Marc *******
the onus is on you to complete a Thai tax return and pay any tax due.Marc ********
@John *********
yes I knowReply to
Marc ********
Reply
John **********
@Jay ******
180 days or more in a calendar year makes you a Thai tax resident. Whether you then have to pay tax or not varies by your particular circumstancesReply to
John **********
Reply
Cris ******
Yep. Especially if you are from a country with the dual tax agreement
Jay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Cris *****
they were like âyou already pay taxes there right? I said yes and they said no need pay tax in ThailandâRichard *****
@Jay ******
you, of course, got it in writing from them! đ¤ŁJay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Richard ****
nopeReply to
Jay *******
Reply
Cris ******
@Jay ******
thatâs almost word for word what I got.Reply to
Cris ******
Reply
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