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What should I do if the embassy requires a business registration and certification from my employer as a self-employed digital artist in Thailand?

visa requirementsself-employmentbusiness registrationdigital nomadThailand immigrationtax obligationsDTV visafreelancing in Thailand
Nov 7, 2024
a month ago
Somari *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The embassy requested that I provide a business registration with the government as well as certification from my employer. I'm a self employed digital artist who sells directly to computer gamers. Any members out there run into this problem who can suggest a solution?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A self-employed digital artist facing difficulties with the embassy due to a requirement for business registration and employer certification is seeking advice. Community responses suggest registering a company to avoid issues with immigration and tax fraud, as working without a registered business status in Thailand can lead to complications. It's highlighted that providing proper documentation, like your trading account and tax records, is essential. Users recommend exploring alternatives like the 'soft power' route for potentially less paperwork.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Romain ****
Well after reading the comments, I believe you first need to fix your situation as a tax fraud professional before applying as a digital nomad…
a month ago
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John ******
This is the type of request that made me go soft power route. Fraction of paper work
a month ago
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Shin *******
I was approved for the DTV and definitely had to provide my business registration, I would just register my business, then that means the government will require you to pay taxes on the money you earn. You can try the soft power options🤷🏿‍♀️. Best of luck to you!😊
a month ago
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Toni *******
If you dont have a company registered anywhere, I think they consider you work here in Thailand and for DTV, thats prohibited. Register a company and pay taxes, then apply again...
a month ago
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Andi ***********
Which embassy ? You are registered self-employed with govt/tax office?
a month ago
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Deepak *******
@Andi **********
 Self employed in the US has to pay income taxes + double the amount of FICA (SS + Medicare) taxes on their incomes. Many try not to report income generated from something they consider to be a hobby.
a month ago
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Somari *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 Los Angeles. Registering,? "not going to happen". This is more of a hobby just generating money and plenty of it.
a month ago
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Thomas ********
@Somari ********
 You’re required by law to pay taxes on all income. The IRS doesn’t care if you call it a hobby or not - income is income. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
a month ago
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Deepak *******
@Thomas *******
 He must pay both the income tax and the full FICA taxes, including the employer's portions.
a month ago
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Thomas ********
@Deepak ******
 Semantics. The point is that he’s evading taxes and illegally operating a business where he lives.
a month ago
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Somari *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas *******
 stop. That's not true.
a month ago
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Luit *****************
@Somari ********
 Technically it might be true you are now working illegal. You are working and obviously not paying tax in any other country. You live in Thailand, and you cannot say you work remote in another country, because not registered and paying tax.
a month ago
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Thomas ********
@Somari ********
 Okay 🤡🤡
a month ago
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Thomas ********
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Deepak *******
@Somari ********
 Please don't tell IRS it is a hobby. There is no category for hobbies in the vocabulary of the IRS. You must pay your taxes no matter what.
a month ago
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Andi ***********
@Somari ********
 ok, you won't be able to get round that request. More and more embassies are requesting company registration info even if you are an employee.
a month ago
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Somari *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
 defeats the idea of being a true digital nomad if you have people to answer to
a month ago
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Elías ********
@Somari ********
 not at all... digital nomad means you can be working from anywhere and on a computer, not that you don't have a boss. I'm a fully regular employee AND digital nomad (my working hours and salary are both fixed, but I can work from anywhere).
a month ago
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Luit *****************
@Somari ********
 The idea of a true digital nomad is not that you pay tax nowhere...

Even if that might be fantastic
a month ago
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John **********
@Somari ********
 even true digital nomads should be registered for tax somewhere. If you aren't then you're probably not going to get a visa based on work. You might have more luck with soft power
a month ago
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Andi ***********
@Somari ********
 Well, you are going to another country, so you have to respect the laws. You have visa exempt which loads of digi nomads use around SE Asia.
a month ago
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James ********
@Somari ********
 not really. Meet the requirements for the DTV visa and you get it.
a month ago
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James ********
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Sefton ********
So where are you paying your income taxes ?? Show your self employed trading account and tax record.
a month ago
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Somari *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sefton *******
 I'm actually retired and pay my taxes in Nevada, but because my earnings from my digital art was a hobby I didn't report it. I may need to next year because cashapp just started tracking my earnings and requested I register.
a month ago
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Mark *******
@Somari ********
 I was asked for this and as an independent contractor I couldn’t provide these - they asked for my previous years tax returns and I explained my position in a word document and I was approved. Best of luck to you. (I also scheduled a dentist appointment and showed a copy of that, but I’m not sure if that influenced the decision)
a month ago
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James ********
@Somari ********
 You are still required to file a US Federal Income Tax Return. Now you need to show PROOF of providing your services out of Thailand with proof of income from your customers. You should have a way to show the sales made to your varied customers AND income earned.
a month ago
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James ********
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Tore *********
Self employed providing services but no registered company? Register your company.
a month ago
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Tore *********
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