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What do I need to know about filing a Thai tax return as an expat on a DTV visa?
Thai Tax ReturnDTV VisaTax ResidencyDouble Taxation AgreementIncome Tax FilingThai ImmigrationForeign Income TaxResident StatusTax Obligations
Jan 23, 2026
3 months ago
Ajay ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi All,
Has anyone done there Thai tax return? I have been on my DTV visa since 2024 and this is the first time I have to do a Thai tax return.
Does anyone have any advice or information on the process.
Has anyone done there Thai tax return? I have been on my DTV visa since 2024 and this is the first time I have to do a Thai tax return.
Does anyone have any advice or information on the process.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation centers around the obligation of expats in Thailand, particularly those on a DTV visa, to file a Thai tax return. It emphasizes that individuals who stay in Thailand for more than 180 days qualify as tax residents and are required to file taxes, regardless of income source. Comments clarify that while many believe filing wouldn't lead to tax payment if one is already taxed in their home country, the legal obligation to file remains. Disputes arise regarding the implications of residency, and the conversation provides sources to support the necessity of filing a tax return even for those with foreign income.
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Anonymous ******************
How will the income tax department know I have not filed my taxes if I don't have a TIN and a Thai bank account.
Mark *********
Anonymous participant 404they won’t and nobody will ever bother you about it. Just ignore the bozos on here who repeat things from Facebook
ดาร่า ********
@Mark ********
Criminal advice in public.... what a shlub. Follow the law, if you think Thai people don't care about money then you're stupid. But furthermore, it's an obligation to support the country you live in. If you love Thailand then pay your taxes and avoid problems in the future.Inspiring**********
@ดาร่า *******
DTV visa is not for living in Thailand, cannot have bank account and cannot be resident. And lot of countries have a convention with Thailand to don’t have double taxationดาร่า ********
InspiringQuince9561 First off, if you're in the country more than 180 days then you establish residency under Thai law and must file your taxes, even if you don't have to pay. Secondly, the bank account does not matter, residency does and many people do have Thai bank accounts from getting them through other visas or in times when it was possible. But it doesn't matter when you are moving the money to Thailand, it crosses the border the moment you purchase something here. Lots of choices these days from Kasikorn's new QR loadable app/card, True money which is accepted almost everywhere and Revolut or Wise which offer payment to Thai bank accounts.
Reply to
ดาร่า ********
Reply
Luit *****************
Maybe they don't, but all kind of info is available you live in Thailand and spend money there.
It is your obligation to file when you are tax resident, and not doing might cause a fine.
It is your obligation to file when you are tax resident, and not doing might cause a fine.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Bob **********
Who told you you had to do a Thai tax return???Do you pay taxes in your home country?if so don’t worry about it
Ryan ********
@Bob *********
your information is out of date. Thailand uses the 180-day rule to determine tax residency. If you are physically present in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar year, you are considered a Thai tax resident under Thai law, whether all income is foreign or not. This rule is applied by the Thailand Revenue Department, regardless of visa type. You don't necessarily need to pay anything, but you do need to file.
Sources:
• Thailand Revenue Department guidance on personal income tax residency
• Thai Revenue Code, Section 41
• PwC Thailand tax summary (mirrors Revenue Dept interpretation)
Visa status and tax residency are separate issues. Being on a DTV, ED, Elite, etc. does not override the 180-day tax residency rule.
Bob **********
@Ryan *******
this is only being talked about because of the DTV No expats that live here are talking about it,so me solid proofToni *******
@Bob *********
visa type has nothinf to do with the tax laws lol, you better stop talking, you are making yourself a clownRyan ********
@Bob *********
then they're out of date too. The visa type is irrelevant. If you're physically in the country for 180+ days, you must file. You may not owe anything, but you're still a Thai tax resident and you need to file. ***************************************************************************
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%20Income%20Tax.pdfBob **********
@Ryan *******
this is nothing from the governmentRyan ********
@Bob *********
just in case you still want me to do more work for you, here is the exact passage, highlighted, from the official RD link I provided for you, along with a direct text quote:"'Resident' means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand."
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Toni *******
@Bob *********
you should stop giving anyone any advices... you dont know anything, its dangerous for others... keep your mouth shut ok 🙏thank you!Ryan ********
@Bob *********
Here is a direct Thai government source that explicitly states the 180-day rule.Thailand Revenue Department (Ministry of Finance) — Personal Income Tax:
“A person who stays in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating 180 days or more in any tax year shall be deemed a resident of Thailand.”
Official page:
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That page is published by the Thailand Revenue Department and is part of Thailand’s official tax guidance, not a blog or law firm summary.
You gonna keep arguing now? Or are you done?
Bob **********
@Ryan *******
of course but it has never been enforced ,go to the revenue office if you want to pay they will look at you like your crazyReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Toni *******
@Bob *********
get yourself updated mate lolToni *******
@Bob *********
you dont know anything about it so why run your mouth? You have to do a report, period. Not same thing as having to pay, it depends on the outcomeBob **********
@Toni ******
16 years no report or anybody I know so go give yourself up moronToni *******
@Bob *********
yea its a "new" law, get yourself updated from 16years back lol 🤣 like i said, u dont know show shut it, now we all know you dont know...Bob **********
@Toni ******
Your Hilarious and cluelessToni *******
@Ryan *******
thank you for teaching him... he doesnt understand the world can change in 16yearsReply to
Toni *******
Reply
John **********
@Bob *********
what a stupid comment. If he brings assessable income into Thailand in any year he is a Thai tax resident he has to file a Thai tax return. That doesn't necessarily mean he will have tax to pay but the obligation to file existsAjay ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI pay taxes in the UK.
But if you spend more than 180 days in Thailand you also have to file a Thai tax return.
Due to the double taxation rules, there shouldn’t be any amount to pay, but you still have to file.
But if you spend more than 180 days in Thailand you also have to file a Thai tax return.
Due to the double taxation rules, there shouldn’t be any amount to pay, but you still have to file.
Max *************
@Ajay *******
You don't have to file a tax return if you don't have a taxable income in Thailand.Anonymous ******************
@Ajay *******
did you read the double taxation rules? It is not because you pay in one country it mean you don't pay à other one. The rule are there to define what one take and what the other one take 😅Bob **********
@Ajay *******
don’t listen to the scare mongers you don’t have to pay tax hereLuit *****************
@Bob *********
You cannot know if OP has to pay tax.180 days a year means tax resident and then the DTA if any decides.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Elías ********
@Ajay *******
you don't have to file it, unless you have taxable income in ThailandLuit *****************
@Elías *******
No, that also depends on exact wording in DTA. Some DTA specify which type of income is taxable in which country, others let income be taxable in both with a tax credit system to prevent you have to pay double, but in that case you have to file.Ryan ********
@Elías *******
false. Rules changed in the last two years. If you're physically in the country for 180+ days, you must file even if your income is foreign. You may not owe anything, but you're still a Thai tax resident and you need to file.
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%20Income%20Tax.pdfElías ********
@Ryan *******
This is copy pasted from the link you shared:<<According to the new tax rules, effective 1 January 2024, Thailand imposes tax on all assessable foreign income brought into the country by its tax residents. Prior to these legislative changes, tax residents were taxed only on income remitted into Thailand in the same year it was earned.
Under the new law, however, any foreign-sourced income earned after the changes took effect is subject to Thai tax unless remitted within the same calendar year or the following one, per the 2025 draft exemption. >>
My point stands, people who don't remit anything/don't bring money have nothing to do with Thai taxes.
Ryan ********
@Elías *******
no one lives for free in Thailand my friend. Direct from RD government website:**************************************
"“Resident” means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand ***as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand***"
So unless you're living for free (no one does), you still need to file. You may not need to PAY anything, but you still NEED TO FILE. You obviously don't understand what that excerpt means and your point doesn't stand at all. End of discussion.
Elías ********
@Ryan *******
I'm not discussing what you said. Everything's right. I'm just saying that some people don't remit anything. Especially remote workers without Thai income. But yes, that's irrelevant to the OP question.Luit *****************
@Elías *******
how do those remote workers without Thai income you mention live in Thailand without bringing money in? Will somebody else paying for their daily expenses?
Elías ********
@Luit ****************
I use means from my home country, so I use money, but it's not remitted to Thailand. Most countries won't have such agreements, but in my country case I can directly use the balance in my regular bank account to pay with the Thai QR system. It's not a remittance, as it's the very same money of my account, used trhu the Thai QR system. I don't need to top up or wire it anywhere.John **********
@Elías *******
that's not true. If you purchase something in Thailand using funds in any other country you are remitting (bringing) that money into Thailand. Just the same as if you withdraw from an ATM or anything elseElías ********
@John *********
tell that to my bank. I follow their rules. It's not logged as international use 🤷🏻(I'm not talking about ATM withdrawals, those indeed are classified by them as international remittance).
Luit *****************
@Elías *******
Banks or no banks, one moment the money is outside Thailand, the next moment it is in, so it has to be remitted. The description of your home bank does not matter.When you bring in as cash it is also remitted money.
John **********
@Elías *******
it's got nothing to do with your bankAnonymous ******************
@Elías *******
foreign income remitted to thailand are assesable for tax as income in thailand. ( like in 99% of the country in the world ( for most of them even if not remitted localy )Elías ********
Participante anónimo 397 yes, but the OP didn't mention anything about whether they remmited money or not
Luit *****************
@Elías *******
How would one live in Thailand without remitting money.So it is important what kind of money is remitted to know if tax has to be paid
Reply to
Luit *****************
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