Answered5 months ago
Is Thailand planning to revert its tax rules affecting foreign residents and expats?
Looks like Thailand may be doing a U-turn on its tax decision. Apparently, the Director-General at the Revenue Department has drafted an amendment to put things back closer to how they were before.
They probably realised how much money they were going to lose with people choosing to move elsewhere because of it.
So, if this goes through, I think we can all start to relax a bit.
They probably realised how much money they were going to lose with people choosing to move elsewhere because of it.
So, if this goes through, I think we can all start to relax a bit.
Answer summary
The recent discussions indicate that Thailand may reconsider its fresh tax policies that could impact foreign residents, particularly those holding Digital Nomad Visas (DTV). The Director-General of the Revenue Department has proposed amendments likely to restore previous regulations, potentially alleviating concerns among expats about increased taxation and loss of income. Various comments discuss the nuances of tax residency for DTV holders, with some expressing frustration over the complexity of the tax regulations and enforcement in Thailand.
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Christer *****
This is probably more relevant for thai citizens working abroad, sending money home.
Hǝınz ***********
Going to lose money from farangs who are not paying tax? 🫣
LongTimeLivi************
Shilling?
Elías ********
A u-turn? In Thailand? Naaaaaah
Sefton ********
The total inability to handle this on the ground was very predictable.
They want to increase the tax base and get unregistered people in the system. But top down rules without preparation or planning for training and enforcement structure means it just doesn't really happen.
A country of many rules, none of which are enforced.
They want to increase the tax base and get unregistered people in the system. But top down rules without preparation or planning for training and enforcement structure means it just doesn't really happen.
A country of many rules, none of which are enforced.
Anonymous ******************
If I were actually allowed to open a bank account, maybe I would be remitting money.
Sefton ********
Anonymous participant 826 card spending and ATM access are remittances
ExcitingR**********
Exactly. The degenerated idioots who are laughing ☝🏼should start to learn English language to know what “remittance” means .
Anonymous ******************
I am not sure if you are calling me a degenerated idiot, but that's certainly one of the nicest compliments I've had in recent times, so thank you. It is only a reflection of your wonderful character that you are spreading such positive vibes. Sure, credit card spending and ATM withdrawals might be remittances, but obviously what I mean is that I would actually consider putting all or most of my foreign income in a Thai bank account if I could open one. If you are spending (far) less than what you earn, the rest of that income is sitting untaxed in a foreign bank account. Also, consider the reality that the Thai government itself has admitted it is not capable of tracking credit card spending or ATM withdrawals.
Anonymous ******************
More relevant for the retirement visa crowd.
Knowledgeabl************
DTV holders don’t make enough money to make a dent in Thai taxes regardless of paid or not.
Pointless post for this group
Pointless post for this group
Anonymous ******************
Those wealthy enough to have the elite visa don’t bother with these sort of groups. mostly inheritance people in Thailand that are wasting their parents house in London.
Elías ********
KnowledgeableRaccoon5198 I work for one of the top companies of the sector in my country 🤷🏻 and so do many other remote work DTVers
Knowledgeabl************
I’m not saying that people don’t make money , I mean DTV as a whole wouldn’t contribute much to Thai tax
Duncan ********
KnowledgeableRaccoon5198 really because all the ones on here keep saying how they are earning US8000 /$
*****
a month and living there best life 🤣, then maybe adding a picture of a cup of coffee with the beach in the background ,, with the caption ,,, another day at the office 🤣🤣
Eric ********
@Duncan *******
real digital nomads don’t go anywhere near beaches with their laptops 👩🏻💻 or cord webs. I travel Starbucks and McDonald’s all over the world oooo envy me in my hard chair and same 4 things to eat in Diff countries …. 😑Duncan ********
@Eric *******
yeh well that would explain the waistline and chins 🤣🤣
Chris **********
@Dun***
while scrounging for change to pay their daily gym entry 😂Chris **********
@Duncan *******
I know the dude you're talking about 😂Duncan ********
@Chris *********
yep then home for a pot noodleAnonymous ******************
KnowledgeableRaccoon5198 plenty of DTV holders making over a 100k USD a year but not allowed to bank in Thailand as it’s not a proper visa so don’t pay tax :-)
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 295 I still don't understand how if people claim they make that much, how they don't have enough savings from pre 2024 income to cover their expenses in Thailand for the next 5 years, because income earned from before the rule change is supposedly exempt from taxation If you can prove FIFO spending from the account. Are people really spending all of the money they make in the same year they earn it? Nobody is saving? Are they spending so much money in Thailand? Are they spending more than part-time in Thailand? I plan to stay less than 180 days per calendar year which means not becoming a tax resident, but still drawing from pre 2024 savings in case exceeding 180 days later.
Chris **********
Anonymous participant 295 explain how it's not a proper visa mate 😂
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 295 Why should you need a bank account to pay taxes?
Anonymous ******************
@Chris *********
I think it’s a proper visa but those smart enough to be over 50 or married a bargirl love stating it’s not a proper visa if not allowed to open an account and send salary to Thailand how can you be taxed.Robert *******
IF you have a DTV your are NOT a Thai tax resident but a foreign tax resident.
Small difference but feel free to move because Thai people pay tax.
Small difference but feel free to move because Thai people pay tax.
Rhys ******
@Robert ******
so wrong 😑LongTimeLivi************
@Robert ******
That’s a common misunderstanding, Robert. The Thai Revenue Department determines tax residency by physical presence, not visa type. Under Section 41 of the Revenue Code, if you spend 180 days or more in Thailand in a calendar year on a DTV, you are officially a Thai tax resident. The visa just grants permission to stay; the calendar determines the tax! (Under Section 41 of the Thai Revenue Code, tax residency is not determined by visa classification but by the individual’s physical presence in the country.)Robert *******
LongTimeLivingInThailand You live to long in Thailand.
People using a visa or visit regular Immigration for new stamps are NOT THAI citizens.
Is that hard to understand?
People using a visa or visit regular Immigration for new stamps are NOT THAI citizens.
Is that hard to understand?
Dany ********
@Robert ******
do you ever read documents posted by the RD? looks like you make your own rules. i have posted you several links to official RD documents that clearly describe how a foreigner is a tax resident here in thailand. a thailand tax resident.Robert *******
@Dany *******
I dont mix. Thai tax resident is the same as a residing who pay tax as a Thai person.Not the same as a foreign tax resident residing in Thailand for more than 180 days.
But feel free to go to the revenue office, tell them you are Thai and more than willing to pay taxes or contribute to society.
Robert *******
LongTimeLivingInThailand do not read articles translated by foreigners willing to pay tax and telling you have to do the same
Dany ********
@Robert ******
you mix up citizenship with residency. what happened with you? are you off medication or whats wrong???LongTimeLivi************
@Robert ******
the article doesn't say anything about Thai citizenship. Have been into the sauce today?
Ciaran ***********
@Robert ******
You’re mixing up immigration status and tax residency.Whether you’re on a DTV, retirement visa, marriage visa or another long-stay visa is largely irrelevant for tax residency purposes. If you’re physically present in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar year, you’re generally considered a Thai tax resident under Thai tax law.
You can be a foreign citizen and a Thai tax resident at the same time. Those aren’t mutually exclusive concepts.
Dany ********
@Robert ******
you are again mixing citizenship and tax residency up… anyone, no matter their visa, that stays more than 180 days in a calendar year in thailand becomes a thai tax resident. by law… everyone. no one here is talking about citizenship. no one is talking about a passport. it is about tax residency which is pretty clear. you can even look up the documents that were released by the RD for foreigners in thailand, regarding taxation.*****************************************************************************************
Robert *******
@Dany *******
I MIX NOTHING, I can read.a foreigner wil NEVER be a Thai tax resident if the foreigner USE a VISA or a temporary stay from Immigration.
a Foreigner MAY becoma a TAX resident but NEVER NOT a THAI by staying 180 days.
try to read the law and you will understand this is special for THAI citizens with income abroad.
NOT FOR THAI WANNABEES WITH DTV.
Dany ********
@Robert ******
you are clearly confused these days. this has nothing to do with citizenship. the law does not differentiate. a thai tax resident is everyone that spends more than 180 days in the country. you can read official sources like from the revenue department.thai tax resident does not mean a thai national. it means a tax resident according to thai law in thailand. which all foreigners become after the mentioned 180 days.
**************************************
LongTimeLivi************
@Robert ******
don't do drugsElías ********
@Dany *******
it's not that black and white, as dual tax agreements play a big role. In my case, in virtue of the DTA between my country and Thailand, I'm a tax resident only in my country as I get a salary there and no income in Thailand. And unlike European countries, where whether you live there or not matters the most, for my country tax laws what matters is where is the money generated, not where the person is physically located. So my country keeps my tax residence over Thailand in my case (and so it's written in the DTA text).Elías ********
@Dany *******
I'm not a tax resident in Thailand as per the DTA details. Each DTA is different. In this specific one, I also could be a tax resident in both countries IF I had also Thai income, which I don't.Dany ********
@Elías *******
i pay my tax in germany too. but i am a tax resident in both countries. same as everyone in similar case. you are still a thai tax resident but both countries claim tax residency and DTA decided where you pay your tax. or even a tax credit… you would still be liable to file a thai tax return or however that is called. it would then most likely turn out to be zero as you paid already abroad according to the DTA. but to be fully compliant you would need to file documents. unless the RD tells you that you dont have to file zero tax returns (or however that is called)
BlueElep********
@Robert ******
visa has nothing to do with your tax residentAnonymous ******************
@Robert ******
you really need to stop commenting so much BS all the time. You talk so much crap. If you stay in Thailand more than 180 days, you can or are already considered a Thai resident for tax purposes. Yes, you can get Tax File Number on DTV and yes you can pay your taxes, and claim tax refunds /relief on DTV
Elías ********
Participante anónimo 900 it's not that simple (see my other comment)
Quentin ********
@Robert ******
more than 180 days in Thaïlande during the year and you are thai tax resident. No more to know. Visa dont mater.Elías ********
@Quentin *******
it's not that black and white, as dual tax agreements play a big role. In my case, in virtue of the DTA between my country and Thailand, I'm a tax resident only in my country as I get a salary there and no income in Thailand. And unlike European countries, where whether you live there or not matters the most, for my country tax laws what matters is where is the money generated, not where the person is physically located.Robert *******
You are a tax resident NOT a Thai citizen.
You must do a little more to become a Thai citizen. Just manage to be 180 days in Thailand is not enough.
EDIT: Reading is difficult but the article and that law is about foreing income made by Thai Citizens
NOT
foreing income made by people with a temporary stay.
You must do a little more to become a Thai citizen. Just manage to be 180 days in Thailand is not enough.
EDIT: Reading is difficult but the article and that law is about foreing income made by Thai Citizens
NOT
foreing income made by people with a temporary stay.
JamesThe*********
@Robert ******
it ain’t that easy mateRobert *******
JamesTheMiller123 WOW, you think if you apply for a DTV, you get a FREE THAI passport.
IT is that easy my friend, there is a huge difference between Thai citizens and foreigners, even if the foreigner thinks he is a Thai citizen.
IT is that easy my friend, there is a huge difference between Thai citizens and foreigners, even if the foreigner thinks he is a Thai citizen.
ExcitingR**********
Old article . Written before new government took place. Meaning it’s useless.
John **************
The Good Olde 🩴🩴🩴
Sefton ********
ExcitingRaccoon1731 yeah I also thought this was a last year piece resurfaced
Eric ********
Okay it says income on same year brought in in same year … exempt. But it says 2025 …. What about income earned in 2026 and spent in Thailand all on my credit cards —- safe ?
Mark *********
OP@Eric *******
The idea is you spend all your money if you save it you will be taxed lolActivity
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