Answered8 months ago
What are the tax implications for expats living and working in Thailand, especially regarding tax residency and income reporting?
Look for this document explaining your obligations.
Answer summary
Expats living in Thailand who stay for more than 182 days may be considered tax residents and could face obligations to file taxes, even if their income originates elsewhere. The process involves obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Thai Revenue Department, which can require proof of tax filings and income statements. Several commenters stressed the importance of understanding the tax treaty between Thailand and their home country, as this can affect whether income is taxable. Additionally, discussion arose about recent updates concerning tax filing rules for expats, indicating that certain income types, such as pensions under specific treaties, might not need to be reported as taxable income.
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Rich *********
People crying over something that isn't their problem as usual.
Ian ********************
Absolute joke!!
Alex *****
Clear as mud. Suppose someone who is resident (not me) earns 20,000 currency units outside of Thailand, has long term savings of 50,000 units, and remits 10,000 to Thailand. Who is to say whether that is last years income or historical savings?
( nb . anyone who says ‘go see an accountant’ is obviously a paid adviser looking for a mark)
( nb . anyone who says ‘go see an accountant’ is obviously a paid adviser looking for a mark)
Michael *******
Alex Jay simple, you prove you remit from your saving ( basicly, if you remit in thailand ( during xx years ) less than the value of your assets/cash before you become thai tax resident == no tax )
Alex *****
Michael David “..prove..”
Guilty until proven innocent?
Guilty until proven innocent?
Michael *******
Donald Hauser explain me what ? I prefer get my information from official thai department revenue, and/or legal lawyer/accounting company.
In the tax office, they will do what is the easier to handle your case... not the best one for you 😉
In the tax office, they will do what is the easier to handle your case... not the best one for you 😉
Donald ********
Michael David Go down to the tax office and they will explain it for you, free of charge.
Michael *******
Alex Jay yes, guilty until proven innocent in thailand. If you don't show the prove , they will probably simply consider all money remitted in thailand as a taxable income.
Rich *********
Alex Jay literally the opposite. You declare your tax liability not the tax office. And if you're not resident why are you worried about it?
Divya **********
I'm on DTV, remote worker. Last year, in 2025, I became a tax resident of Thailand as I stayed for more than 182 days in 2025. In my home country, this year i.e, in 2026, I need to file my tax as a non-resident. But to file tax in my home country as non-resident, they require me to provide my TIN number from revenue department in Thailand. Went to Chonburi revenue department to get my TIN. They said to get TIN, I also need to file taxes or they won't provide me the TIN. Asked for my Thai bank statements. How did they calculate what I owe? Simple, they just summed up the total I remitted to Thailand in 2025 and calculated that I owe 5,169 Baht in taxes. I paid the tax and got my TIN number.
Conclusion from my personal experience: Do not live in Thailand for more than 182 days if you don't want to pay taxes. Or simply do not remit any money to your Thai bank account, use credit card for all your expenses if you can. If you believe you don't need to file taxes because all your remit is your pension money, you would be wrong. You're still legally required to report and file the taxes, even if you don't have to pay any money because of DTAA.
Conclusion from my personal experience: Do not live in Thailand for more than 182 days if you don't want to pay taxes. Or simply do not remit any money to your Thai bank account, use credit card for all your expenses if you can. If you believe you don't need to file taxes because all your remit is your pension money, you would be wrong. You're still legally required to report and file the taxes, even if you don't have to pay any money because of DTAA.
Alexander *************
OPDivya Parantap now regrettable you will have a shit storm on you as quite a few refuse to believe what actually is valid. Hardly any sense to tell people in denial, eh?
Donald ********
Divya Parantap Hey pal you can get a Tax # in Thailand without doing your taxes, if you bring in more than 120,000 baht per year, or stay more than 180 days in one year you must file a Thai tax return, why did you stay for more than 180 days ?A DTV visa says you have to leave and come back before 180 days?Expats who live in Thailand do not pay tax if you already paid tax in your home country, provided you can show you already paid tax in your home country and that it was the correct amount.
Jim ********
You are wrong. If a pension is covered by a DTA it is not considered assessable income. If you have no assessable income you are not required to submit a tax return.
Michael *******
Jim Ramsey are you sure as a thai tax resident you don't have to do a tax report if it is 0 income to report ? I think the official text say you have to ...
Alexander *************
OPJim Ramsey you better get a written confirmation from Thai revenue service for this. It’s definitely a contradiction from published rules but if you are of that opinion get a written document from them stating this. If not you could be in trouble and quite a few others.
Alan **********
No thank you. 🤣
Paul *******
I went to the office near regional land, they sent me away and not interested
Alexander *************
OPPaul Jones when? Last year?
Paul *******
Alexander DThornerian Makes no difference, dividendes are not taxable in Thailand
Michael *******
Paul Jones I guess it is useless to give you official and legal information about this, because you trust only yourself and you think you are smart 🤣
Paul *******
Michael David Nope
Michael *******
Paul Jones where did you read dividend are not taxable in thailand ? It is taxed as personnal revenue ( bracket 5% to 35% )
Alexander *************
OPTaxation and declarations are two separate issues. Check the rules deciding what applies to you. In most cases declaration yes. Taxation no.
Fokke *******
It all depends on the tax treaty between the two countries, if you want to know what applies to you, you should look into the tax treaty first
Donald ********
Fokke Akker No. all expats must file a tax return if they stay more than 180 days per year and if they have money coming in from overseas in excess of 120,000 baht per year. This does not mean you have to pay taxes, but this new rule came into effect in Jan 1st, 2024
Jeff **********
So if we do pay taxes then we are entitled to free public medical coverage?
Donald ********
Jeff Vassallo No.
Tim ******
Jeff Vassallo
As in your country?
As in your country?
Jeff **********
Tim Tata Yes. And also in this country
Michael *******
Jeff Vassallo no, you need to pay social security
Jim ********
Keyword is “assessable” income
bar ***********
Jim Ramsey agreed
Stephen ********
This infographic document has been around for the last two years. It doesn't tell you much
Alexander *************
OPStephen Howell yes then you are well informed about the rules. The new issue is if you want to reduce your taxes in Thailand with paid taxes from home country according to DTA you need a legalized tax certificate
Stephen ********
Alexander DThornerian It's not a new issue. This document has been around for a couple of years. If you submit taxes in any country you get a certificate of assessment. Nothing new
Stephen ********
Alexander DThornerian Which new laws are those? More internet bullshit laws?
Donald ********
Alexander DThornerian all tax slips from your home country are legal ,so stop.
Alexander *************
OPStephen Howell and has to be legalized according to Thai law and new rules published in January 2026
Stephen ********
Alexander DThornerian What are you talking about? A tax certificate from the tax authority of another country is a legal document 😂😂😂
Alexander *************
OPStephen Howell but it has to be legalized
Michael ********
Nothing new.
Alexander *************
OPMichael Winter expect now that the tax foreign tax certificate has to be legalized
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