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Is US Social Security taxed in Thailand, and do I need to show 800k or 65k monthly income for a Non-O visa?

Jun 30, 2025
14 days ago
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand social security from USA is not taxed? Moving over on a 1 year non o I would need to deposits 800k or show 65k monthly income? Would they tax the 800k$. I can show 65k monthly from Social Security easily. Would that have to be deposited in a Thai bank account?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user seeks clarification on whether U.S. Social Security is subject to tax in Thailand and the requirements for obtaining a one-year Non-O visa. Key points discussed include that Social Security is not taxed in Thailand, and the 800,000 THB deposit required for the Non-O visa is also not taxed. Comments highlight the necessity of depositing the amount into a Thai bank account for three months, and clarify that proof of income can later replace the deposit requirement for visa renewals. Various participants share their experiences and advice about managing finances while living in Thailand.
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Kevin *********
I read that you need to deposit the 800k in a bank 2 months prior to applying for the non o and you'll have to let it remain in the bank for a month after getting the visa. So overall, you need to keep the money in a Thai bank for about 3 months and you can withdraw it thereafter.

1. Is this true?

2. Is this practical?

3. If I were to use the 65k income to prove, do I need a year's income statement? Does housing rent I'm getting from my home country count? What do I need to do to get this income statement verified?

Thanks in advance
Randy *******
The first year you have to deposit the money after that you can show proof of income
Richard ********
Apply for your visa using your SS income BEFORE you leave the US. Get the multi-entry option. Once here, extend your health insurance to cover your second year here. Re-enter before your first year stamp expires and when you re-enter, you will be stamped in for another 12 months or to the expiration date of your health insurance. (Whichever comes 1st.)

When you first arrive, open your bank account and start making monthly 65k baht deposits. By the time your visa renewal is due you'll have met the deposit requirements for the renewal.
Francois ********
800k Thb in Thai bank must be transferred from overseas to ur Thai bk act to qualify for retirement extension
Tank *****
So much misinformation. Social Security from USA is not taxed in Thailand no matter what you have for visa. Same with
*****
0 deposit. I’m 2 years in and know for sure.
Russell *********
@Tank ****
2 years there was not any tax. The law became effective Jan 1 2024
Bob **********
No your 800k will not be taxed all you heard was you gotta get a TIN number and file before March of this year well that’s gone away you can bring whatever you want as long as you paid tax at home
John **********
@Bob *********
it hasn't gone anywhere. Don't get ahead of any announcement that might or might come and might or might not contain what you think it will
Bob **********
@John *********
it’s been said did you file a tax return and did you pay and on what??
John **********
@Bob *********
it's only a rumour, nothing more at this point. Nobody will know what, if anything, changes until its officially published
Bob **********
@John *********
did you file ??
John **********
@Bob *********
no, I don't need to as I don't bring any income into Thailand.
Bob **********
@John *********
so how do you live
John **********
@Bob *********
savings currently
Erick ********
Mike. I retired here from California. Please use an agent to get valid info not some of these clowns.

I used GAM Legal. Pricey but outstanding

Your USA SS will not be taxed. Your 800k deposit in a Thai bank will also not be taxed.

You can Dm me if you have follow up. I’ve been here 10 years. Welcome
Brook ********
@Jack *******
insults are the last refuge of the dimwitted.
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erick *******
what part of Ca
Jack ********
@Erick *******
you’re the clown if you used an agent.
Brook ********
@Jack *******
most wealthy people value their time over money. This is why the cost of an agent is preferable to wasting time at immigration.

We can always make more money, but our time is fixed.

You may never understand this, just like a monkey can’t bake a good croissant.
Erick ********
@Jack *******
maybe a clown. Lol. But I’m also able to use an agent without breaking a sweat.

I also do counseling if you are triggered by FB comments and think they apply to you. Feel free to DM me.
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erick *******
I’m asking of anyone had had experience bill definitely talk to the right people when I’m back in March. Just putting together plans now
Erick ********
@Mike **********
ok brother. You have plenty of time to plan. Life here is awesome
Marshall *********
U.S. social security, military retirement and V.A. disability are not taxable in Thailand.
Tim ***********
They do not tax it....
Wayne ********
The US Embassy for some reason is unable to verify your US Social Security income, and give you an affidavit to that fact that’s why you have to have the money in the bank because I guess the embassy can’t figure it out.
Michael ************
@Wayne *******
if you have a social security account, they will provide you with a letter of income. It took a while for me to figure it out. Thai immigration accepted the letter and it is easily updated.
Yoshi **********
@Wayne *******
I think they are just lazy. They should be able to check with SS if they want to.
William ***********
SS can be taxed in the US depending on your total income.
Yoshi **********
@William **********
this is correct statement. Also can be taxed in other countries if they don't have agreement with US government. Thailand does therefore you don't pay tax on US SS in Thailand at least.
Mike *********
Mike, you can’t do the Non-Immigrant O visa by using the monthly income as your initial issuance. You have to use the 800k in Thai bank account method. The Thai immigration doesn’t accept any social security payment documentation. Now on your 2nd issuance you can show but you would have to start the 65k the month before you get your first because you have to show 12 months of deposits in a Thai bank account for when you do the renewal. They have to show as international transfers and even that is becoming more difficult because the banks transfer the money in strange ways that doesn’t show up as international transfers except for wire transfers or direct deposits. Based on the payment date which is the 3rd day of each month for USA social security it would never fall outside a month. Still not easy
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ********
it sounds like 800k is the best way to go. Then wire transfer as need. Set up auto pay on monthly a curing payments. Nothing going into bank that way. Doesn’t show that as income.
Kool *******
@Mike **********
there is no tax on the bt800,000 you bring into the country. Thailand assumes you paid the appropriate income tax on it before it was brought into Thailand, until you prove you didn't. It is also best just to have your SS payments direct deposited into your Thai bank account. Thailand isn't going to steal, or tax it. If you are going to live here then live here, cutting as much ties as you can with back home. Any money you bring into Thailand, Thailand assumes you paid taxes on it, so isn't concerned about any money you bring in, as Thailand and the US have the best dual tax treaty.
Bruce *****************
I read that the 800,000 needed for the non o is not taxable
Jack ********
@Bruce ****************
not related in any way
Jack ***********
S S is taxed.
Yoshi **********
@Jack **********
This kind of misinformation is the reason one must be careful asking in FB. Asking AI is a little bit better in many cases.
Peter **********
@Jack **********
US Social Security is not taxed in Thailand, as per the dta between Thailand and USA.

Thailand Tax rules for expats
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Mike *********
@Jack **********
show us where US social security is taxed for a single individual with no other income and no spouse with income .
Tom ******
@Jack **********
what’s the tax rate?
Tony **********
In theory, if you moved here and deposited before July 1, you would be a tax resident in the current year and could be liable for tax. But it depends on the source of the 800k. If you can show it came from social security then it wouldn't be taxed according to the DTA with USA. Easiest is not too move till after July 1, then you won't be a tax resident for 2025. Given your writing this on jun-30, assume you won't be a tax resident.

If you're coming in a non-o, you'll basically need to leave the 800k in a Thai bank for 14 months (technically for 3 months following your first extension with balance not taking below 400k, then back to 800k 2 months before your 2nd extension. If you have 12 consecutive deposited of 65k prior to your 2nd extension you can convert to the 65k/month method and can take it the 800k.
Tony **********
@Mike ********
you don't understand the difference between tax residency and tax liability. You never lose your liability for taxes in USA even if you are a tax resident in one or more other countries. You are wrong.
Peter **********
@Tony *********
That’s actually 6 July. 😉

Now about the 800k being taxable:

Let’s be realistic. It’s taxable when it’s foreign taxable income in your first year in Thailand *and* you transfer it into Thailand, right?

If earned in a year before becoming tax resident it’s qualified as savings, or “unspent prior income” and prior income is not taxed, no matter when you transmit it into Thailand.

Now, having
*****
0baht income in USA in a year when you are at least 180 days in Thailand, and that money must be here at least 5 months, that means you were able to save 800k in six or seven months while still having to pay for food, housing, etc during the months that you remained in your home country.

Again, realistically spoken only a happy few, small percentage, of expats coming to Thailand is able to save 800k in six months from their foreign income while living abroad.

The chance that someone needs to pay tax on the 800k is really small. And in all honesty, those who have such income that they can save that kind of money in six months or less (almost usd 25,000) should not complain about contributing to the society. 😉

The exception is made for those who sell investments or property (e.g. foreign home) right before coming to Thailand. I was in that group myself and I ensured that I remained under 180 days in that year.

Thailand Tax rules for expats
Peter **********
@Mike ********
You are sadly mistaken. As soon as you pass the limit of being 180 days within a calendar year in Thailand you are automatically Thai tax resident.

You could be tax resident in another country as well, but definitely a Thai tax resident.

That does not imply that you have to pay tax. A tax liability is based on entirely different criteria.

But again: 180 days in Thailand makes you tax resident.
Peter **********
@Mike ********
The banks and their forms have nothing to do with either your tax status or your tax liabilities.

The bank forms relate to CRS reporting and, for Americans, FATCA reporting.

The TRD is very very clear on the subject. Once you reach the 180!days threshold you are Thai tax resident.

I really don’t care whether that means you remain US tax resident or not. I am also not talking about peanut butter or fishing on Mars.

The simple statement is: 180 days or more in Thailand then you are Thai tax resident.

Possibly you will be tax resident in multiple countries (I know for sure this applies to Australians). I don’t know whether Americans remain *also* tax resident in USA. I honestly couldn’t care less. It’s such an uninteresting country.
David *****
@Mike ********
pretty sure this isn’t correct. You become a Thai tax resident once you exceed 180 days in country. The law/guideline is pretty new but just because you pay tax in the US doesn’t mean you’re not potentially responsible to pay income tax in Thailand as well even if you’re not working.
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ****
that’s what I think. I know SS isn’t taxed. Just not sure what is and if there is a minimum before tax starts. I’ll talk to a tax person in Thailand.
Keith *******
@David ****
It's not new. The 180 days to be tax resident has been in place for decades
Frank **********
@David ****
Social Security and Federal pensions are not subject to tax in Thailand according to the DTA.
David *****
@Frank *********
yes. But 401k/ira pension withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax potentially in both the US and Thailand depending on remittance, ever changing rules and how much is remitted, etc.
Frank **********
@David ****
correcr.
Mike *********
@Peter *********
have you done the tax resident paperwork with your bank ? Once you do then you can come respond again. I have and the documents clearly state that if I am a full time tax resident of USA which I am then I am not subject to the tax residency here in Thailand. I don’t know which country you are from but the 180 days means nothing being from the USA. We never lose tax residency status in the USA. Not on a work permit so no tax status in Thailand.
Mike *********
@Tony *********
not true at all. He would never lose his USA residency for tax purposes even if he stayed away from 10 years. Unless he is making money in Thailand which he can’t do on a Non-Immigrant visa he is not a tax resident of Thailand. I guess you haven’t done the paperwork with your Thai bank yet as you would know this once you do that paperwork.
Rodney *********
Do you mean 65k baht??
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rodney ********
yes baht. I’m only talking baht.
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