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What are the tax implications for a UK DTV holder working as a sole trader in Thailand?
UK tax liabilityThailand tax rulesDouble Taxation Agreement (DTA)DTV visaexpat taxationThai accountant adviceself-employment taxes
Aug 1, 2025
9 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi UK DTV holder here. Am currently registered as a sole trader with HMRC and am in contact with a Thai accountant to help me with my Thai taxes as I have been in the country for over 180 days. I pay myself into my UK bank account (as I don’t have a Thai account as per DTV) so wondering what my tax liability is with UK, I was planning to tell HMRC that I have left the country on my next tax return but want to make sure that’s the right thing to do. My next port of call is of course contacting a UK accountant but wanted to see if anyone here has any insight first. Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK DTV holder is questioning their tax obligations while operating as a sole trader and living in Thailand for over 180 days, especially regarding tax liabilities to the UK. They aim to determine whether to inform HMRC about their residency status and are seeking insights from the community. Responses suggest that it may be advantageous to continue paying taxes in the UK due to the DTA with Thailand, and that it's essential to consider potential changes in regulations regarding remitted income. It's also noted that disclosing expatriate status to HMRC may result in losing NHS benefits.
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Mark *********
the amount of self sabotage here is just insane,
Pete *******
Your UK tax liability is exactly the same, you will be taxed at source. The DTA provides for a tax credit against any Thai tax liability on remitted income.
Danny **********
So I have been thinking the same question, as I plan to come to Thailand next year on a DTV, and assessing whether I stay longer than 6 months in a calendar year, or bounce around other parts of SEA for 60-90 day stops before returning to Thailand on 1st Jan 2027.
Anyway, I found a helpful video on YouTube that clarifies the DTA situation between the UK and Thailand. Of course, this is officially the letter of the law...but whether it's even remotely enforced is another question entirely. Even more interesting if what the other poster said is true about rule-changes to remitted income derived from overseas.
Anyway, I found a helpful video on YouTube that clarifies the DTA situation between the UK and Thailand. Of course, this is officially the letter of the law...but whether it's even remotely enforced is another question entirely. Even more interesting if what the other poster said is true about rule-changes to remitted income derived from overseas.
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Steven *******
You will lose the NHS if you tell them you are an ex pat
Steven *******
@Mo ****
unless you come back on a boat of course. You will even get a free hotelSteven *******
@Mo ****
of course. Need a new iPhone and HP Laptop, that the way to do it. 3 meals per day. Your laughing.Mo *****
@Steven ******
probably the best way mate. 🤣Reply to
Mo *****
Reply
Steven *******
@Mo ****
You need to re-register with a doctor. Hard nowadays. No one acceptsMo *****
@Steven ******
I wouldn’t tell mine I was leaving.. went back home last year an appointment but yes even that was difficult 🤣Reply to
Mo *****
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Mo *****
@Steven ******
but it you return to live In the uk again no issues.. just make sure have good health insurance out here that covers everythingReply to
Mo *****
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Mo *****
There’s a dta so probably better paying your taxes in uk and keeping stum! I went to Thai tax office and they wouldn’t give me a tin. Just continue to pay my taxes in uk as normal. Plus they’re looking at changing the rules back to remitted funds earned abroad not being assessable so probably not worth the hassle.. just my opinion like
Pete *******
@Mo ****
you don’t get to chose where you pay your taxes. You will be taxed wherever the income arises. Here the income arises in the UK so the UK will tax it. If the taxed income is then remitted to Thailand there are scenarios where it will be taxed again by Thailand.Mo *****
@Pete ******
yes I said that above - if you’re still earning In the uk then it’s taxed there.. as for Thailand obv there’s right now uncertainty when the royal decree will go through for remitted income and taxation *************************************************************************************************
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Reply to
Mo *****
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Chantelle ******
@Mo ****
from what I could make of reading it the DTA is when you are still classed as a UK Tax resident, however once you've been out of the UK more than 180days you are no longer a UK Tax resident 🙈 so then you become a tax resident in the country you are residing...currently you also become a thai tax resident after being here 180days. But its not so straight forward as that and what i have read is most people dont bother letting either govs know and stay paying tax in the UKGreg ********
@Chantelle *****
Do you not have to tell HMRC you are no longer a UK Tax Resident? It is a long time ago but I left in 1999 and did not tell them. Went back in 2000 and I got an earful for not telling them - still got a rebate. I left in 2002 again and told them by completing a form and never been a tax president in UK since.Chantelle ******
@Greg *******
I think it depends where the income is coming from and your intentions of living abroad and being am expat or your UK ties. For example I am a remote worker on the DTV get my income from a UK company and paid in the UK. I consider my home in the Uk and have my family home as my base. But I am staying outside of the UK for longer than 180days. I might spend most of that in thailand but I will travel to other countries too so makes sense to keep myself as a uk tax resident. I also went travelling for 10months in 2022-23 and spoke with HMRC since for tax related stuff, noone asked anything or said Id done anything wrong 😊Greg ********
@Chantelle *****
So you just remain a UK tax resident. I HMRC will not care if they are getting money 🙂 As for Thai Tax Residency I do not know anyone whether retired or working overseas/remotely and remitting money into Thailand has been caught up in the Thai Tax changes announced later 2023 for tax year 2024. All of the fear, uncertainty, and doubt promoted by dodgy tax advisers and bedwetters has not come to pass. Things like not being able to renew visas, noit be able to leave the country and other ridiculous scare stories put out have been proven to be absolutely shyte. Anyone on a DTV should not be worrying about their Thai tax situation unless remitting multi-millions of Baht into a the country each year.Chantelle ******
@Greg *******
lol i wish it was multi millions 🤣Reply to
Chantelle ******
Reply
Mo *****
@Chantelle *****
exactly that.. yes it depends on sufficient ties and if you’re still earning money from the uk which is then taxableReply to
Mo *****
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