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What are the pros and cons of the DTV in relation to taxation in Thailand?

Mar 3, 2025
7 days ago
Tan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know of a site where I can read about the pros and cons of DTV, please? Looks like we have to pay taxes in Thailand as well as my home country?

Thank you so much!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the tax implications for individuals holding a DTV visa in Thailand. Key points include that one becomes a tax resident if spending over 180 days in Thailand within a calendar year, regardless of the visa type. It’s noted that Thailand does not tax foreign income unless remitted, and many comments emphasize that taxation is independent of the DTV visa status. Additionally, the importance of checking for tax treaties between Thailand and one's home country is highlighted, as they may prevent double taxation.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tommy ********
You will pay tax if you’re here for over 180 days a year.

DTV is a glorified tourist visa

Not a legit working permit. If you stay as if you live in Thailand, you’ll be questioned more at re-entry and or extension. They want you in and out
Lee ***********
You can search this forum as been discussed a lot, or join the tax forum for more precise details and search on there.
Fabio ****
What if i bring cash from my homecountry, exchange it to Thai Baht in Thailand and then deposit in my Thai Bank account? Is this taxable?
Kurt *************
@Fabio ***
same, if you bring it your remitting it
Elías ********
Taxes are not DTV-related, I mean, it's the same for everybody regardless of what visa they have or not. Said so, I can't find any con of the DTV.

Ah, and no, you won't need to pay taxes here IF you don't remit any money.
Tan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ekias, may I ask, remit meaning sending money to Canada or another country?
Elías ********
@Tan ********
remitting from any country to Thailand, in this case.
Tan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@El***
, Thank you 🙏🏽
Matthew *******
You are only taxed for the money you bring into Thailand. Use your foreign CC/DB card as much as possible.
Gee *****
@Matthew ******
so if I work for a non Thai company and have wages put into my UK bank account, I pay no tax?
Elías ********
@Gee ****
not in principle, but if you do wire transfer money to Thailand, to your Thai bank account (supposing you have one), then you might need to pay taxes on it (the transfered portion only).
Matthew *******
@Gee ****
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Keyword here is “income that is brought to Thailand”
Matthew *******
@Gee ****
No. tax is only for money remitted to Thailand. I reckon inter-bank transfer to your Thai Bank account is the only way they could track it. I would have to ask a friend or someone who knows: What if we use foreign ATM card go withdraw money… does that count as remit? No way to track it though. 😂
Tan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, this is very helpful!
John *******
Taxation has nothing to do with the visa but with how much time you spend in Thailand
Sefton ********
Usually a double taxation agreement will prevent it being paid twice.
Expat **********
@Sefton *******
True. But if marginal rate of tax on that income is higher than your “home country”, you may have to pay the difference.
Expat **********
Fact of the matter is thai income tax kicks in at a much lower rate than UK.
Sefton ********
@Expat *********
exactly.. it prevents double tax but you will pay at the highest rate.

That said because its a remittance based tax system its possible but unlikely to create a higher rate issue here unless you are remitting it all.
Expat **********
@Sefton *******
Depends. If you’re remitting your UK state pension for example, you will definitely pay Thai tax as it’s not taxed at all in the UK.
Sefton ********
@Expat *********
UK state pension is taxable income.. No idea what makes you think it isnt.
Expat **********
@Sefton *******
It’s under the personal tax allowance so there is zero tax on it…..
Sefton ********
@Expat *********
It 'might' be under the personal allowance (but that isnt not taxed at all) and it might not be especially if you have other sources of income..

UK pension is taxable income.. Personal allowances are personal allowances that determine the rates that such income might be taxed at.
Expat **********
@Sefton *******
I’m trying to keep it simple hence I only mentioned the state pension. Of course if you have other sources of income they will take you over the personal allowance. BTW any ISA income remitted to thailand would also come under thai tax.
Jen ********
Also check if your home country has a tax treaty with Thailand
Tan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Jen. I am from Canada, so I have to look into that.
Marko ************
You only pay tax in the country that you spend more than 180 days in.

Plus Thailand doesn’t tax foreign income so your only taxed on the money you bring into Thailand
Steve ********
@Marko ***********
Incorrect. Not every country has a "180 day" rule for tax residency
Anonymous ******************
@Marko ***********
totally incorrect if your home country has a bilateral agreement with Thailand
Expat **********
Anonymous participant 782 Just because your home country has a tax treaty it doesn’t mean you’re exempt from thai tax on foreign income remitted to thailand.
Steve ********
@Expat *********
That's true, but the chances are you will be exempt. Just need to read the DTA and see what it covers
Steve *******
@Marko ***********
not true anymore. Starting with the new tax laws this year, they tax all income, regardless of the source.

But it's Thailand, so they don't know how to enforce it yet 🤷‍♂️
Marko ************
@Steve ******
the new law still only applies to money brought into Thailand
Steve *******
@Marko ***********
buddy, no.

***********************************************************************************************
%20Foreign%20Income%20Rule&text=For%20example%2C%20if%20you%20earn,exists%20with%20this%20rule%20update.

"..if you earn income overseas in 2024 and transfer it to Thailand in 2025, that money will be taxed under Thai law. Previously, foreigners could wait a year before bringing money into Thailand to avoid taxation, but that loophole no longer exists with this rule update."
Kurt *************
@Steve ******
read your own link. It litterally say brought into thailand. If you pay with card or take out money in atm thats not brought into thailand. They cant tax atm withdrawal and they have no idea or how to check your foreign account
Steve *******
@Kurt ************
here you go

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Kurt *************
@Steve ******
this is a good article. But u dont see them spending time tracking everyone like this. Its ALOT of work even with this system in place. Do you know how much tax we are talking about remitted into thailand? For instance my disability pension i have to pay 25% of now, when i move to thailand i need to still pay 7% back home even if loving here. So what wouls that % be here if so? And of total income or whats taken out here in thailand?
Steve *******
@Kurt ************
go back and read the last sentence in my first comment.
Marko ************
@Steve ******
exactly only money remitted into Thailand. Don’t bring it into Thailand and you don’t pay tax on it
Steve *******
That has nothing to do with your visa.

You become a tax resident if you spend 180 days in Thailand in a calendar year. No matter what visa you have.
Tan *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is helpful! Thank you, Steve.
Steve ********
There's no such site, as every DTV application is different, and taxation is a personal situation, depending on your home country, where money is earned, if tax is paid etc. There's no "one size fits all" situation. You're better to just ask specific questions in this group
Anonymous ******************
@Steve *******
Correct ✔️