Is it better to use a Wise account with a Thai address or a Revolut account with a UK address for my DTV fund transfer?

Dec 26, 2024
3 days ago
Hi all, I will go Vietnam in a few weeks for a DTV, but I am already living in Thailand (long story), the sort one is that I am married with a Thai citizen but to be 100% legal it is more convenient the DTV than the married visa (and for more reasons as well). So, my company is in the US (I am not a US citizen), and the 500K in my personal WISE account, but the address in wise is a Thai address , should be ok?/(I also has a Thai tax number, and i pay here my tax) Or is better to move the fund for example to Revolut where the address is my British home? I am quite confuse with this. Maybe the Wise account with my Thai home address can be an inconvenient more than a benefit ?

Thanks in advance .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat living in Thailand is preparing to travel to Vietnam for a DTV visa and is confused about the implications of using a Thai address for a Wise account versus a UK address for a Revolut account. While some comments suggest that having a Thai bank account may not pose problems and can be acceptable, others emphasize the importance of understanding tax residency rules if spending over six months in Thailand, and recommend consulting a professional for tax advice.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
For those still confused about taxes, my first recommendation is to hire a professional advisor. However, there is one thing I am quite certain about, having lived in this country for over 8 years (and holding a Thai tax ID number despite never working in Thailand): if you spend more than 6 months in Thailand, you are automatically considered a tax resident. Everything else you hear is just hearsay. Don’t take my word for it—consult a qualified advisor."
Christopher ********
But you’re still gonna have to end up paying taxes somewhere… even on this visa
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher *******
Sure, I pay where I live, it means, in Thailand,
Christopher ********
Anonymous participant then how does the visa provide more benefit than the marriage one I’m trying to understand
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher *******
ok I will try to explain.

1 Married visa is better if you are planning to work IN THAILAND, mostly if you work for your wife company etc...

2 DTV is better and cheaper if, and only if... You wanna be free to leave Thailand and come back without wasting the time in immigration ,and the DTV also stops counting when you leave the country, but the most important, if tomorrow you are not married anymore, your visa only depends on you. Another benefit is that your money no need to be in a Thai bank, with the marriage visa you need 400K every year in the Thai bank.
Christopher ********
Anonymous participant got it !
Bob **********
So whatever you’re paying tax on is it earned in Thailand??
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
Why? You can pay taxes from the money you make abroad or in Thailand, BOTH, where you make the money is irrelevant for Thailand, and in 2024 everything changed, now you pay for all the money you bring to the country , it does not matter what tax year you earned it (with exceptions, ask an accountant for more accurate information, I am not an advisor).
John **********
Anonymous participant not correct. In Thailand you pay tax on money earned in Thailand plus you pay tax on overseas assessable income brought into Thailand. If your from a country with a DTA you can get a credit for tax paid in that country
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
only the first part is correct, you pay only for the money you bring to Thailand, but you no need to pay taxes in both countries (double taxation agreement). Ask an advisor, is my suggestion mate . What happens if you make 2M in the UK and you bring the year 1 half and the second year another half ? (Simple example), you will pay in both cases in Thailand, right? So if I make 2M and only bring 1M I won't pay for the other 1M anything in the UK, it does not matter if I bring or not to Thailand. Like I said, as an advisor as I did .
John **********
Anonymous participant its not quite how a double tax agreement works. In effect you end up paying the higher of Thai or your home country tax. A DTA doesn't mean you have no tax to pay in Thailand just because you paid tax elsewhere.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
well like I said , advisors are the right people to ask about this, not Facebook. In my case I only pay in Thailand where I live (not where I work).
Anonymous ******************
I've applied with a thai address, thai bank account and had no issues
John **********
What are you paying Thai tax on? Are you working in Thailand?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
I live here more than 6 months a year (the full year in my case) , so the UK asked me where I prefer to pay my tax (double taxation agreement between Thailand and the UK), so I paid here, better for me , and 100% legal.
John **********
Anonymous participant it depends where your income comes from and the type of income whether you can get away with not being taxed in the UK or not. And Thailand only taxes you on the income you bring in to Thailand plus any income earned in Thailand. I'm not sure you've got a grasp of how that dual tax agreement works
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Well I had a permanent position for the last 3 years, and the UK HMRC returned me back the last two years of taxes (and I paid only some money in thailand, only the money I brought to the country), I think HMRC know what they do 😂. Now I work with an LLC from the US , nothing about the UK.
John **********
Anonymous participant like i said it depends on where your income comes from, the type of income and also your own location but HMRC refunding tax is nothing to do with the DTA.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
you pay taxes where you live more than six months not where you do not live , and I don't live a single day in the same tax year in the UK, that's the short story (but of course, there are exceptions).
John **********
Anonymous participant I haven't lived in the UK for over 7 years but I still have to file a tax return and pay tax on the majority of my UK income every year, although not all of it. I've lived in Thailand all of that time yet I legitimately don't pay any tax in Thailand. Whether or not you pay tax in a country is not primarily determined by whether you live there or not, that's a very simplistic view.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Up to you, is your choice 🙂 I like to pay taxes where I live, that's all.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant Chat gpt explain this thing better than me.

Where you must pay taxes depends on several factors, including your residency status in both the UK and Thailand, the tax laws of each country, and the existence of a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between them. Here's a general breakdown:

### 1. **Residency for Tax Purposes**

- **UK Tax Residency**: If you're considered a tax resident of the UK (based on the Statutory Residence Test), you must report and potentially pay taxes on your worldwide income in the UK, even if you're working remotely from Thailand.

- **Thailand Tax Residency**: If you stay in Thailand for 180 days or more during a calendar year, you may also become a tax resident of Thailand. As a Thai tax resident, you're required to pay taxes on income earned within Thailand and potentially on foreign-sourced income if it is brought into Thailand within the same year.

### 2. **Double Taxation Agreement (DTA)**

The UK and Thailand have a DTA to prevent double taxation. If you're taxed in both countries:

- You can claim a credit in one country for taxes paid in the other.

- Typically, the DTA assigns taxing rights to the country where you physically perform your work (Thailand in this case).

### 3. **Employer Obligations**

Your UK employer may still deduct UK taxes (PAYE), even if you're working remotely from Thailand. However, you might be able to apply for an exemption if the income is taxable in Thailand instead.

### 4. **In Most Cases**

- **If You're a Thai Tax Resident**: You'll likely pay taxes in Thailand. You may still need to report your income in the UK, but you can claim a tax credit for any Thai taxes paid.

- **If You're a UK Tax Resident**: You will pay UK taxes but may need to declare the income in Thailand if it qualifies as taxable there.

### Recommendations:

1. **Consult Local Tax Experts**: Laws vary, and professional advice is crucial to avoid penalties.

2. **Notify Your Employer**: Ensure they are aware of your tax residency and remote work status to handle payroll correctly.

3. **Check the DTA**: Review the DTA between Thailand and the UK to understand where you owe taxes and how to avoid double taxation.
Mateusz *******
I'm paying taxes here also and live here. We are doing that to avoid paying taxes in our home country
John **********
@Mateusz ******
so you have zero income in your home country? You appear to be Polish and work for a Polish company, how does that work?
Michael *******
@John *********
like every foreigner working for polish company
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mateusz ******
No, I am doing it because I live the whole year here, and this is the correct way. Why should I pay it in the UK if I do not live there 😂?.
Wannikea *********
Many applications provide a Thai bank for funding. There are no requirements where the bank is located.