Answered2 years ago
What should I do if the embassy requires a business registration and certification from my employer as a self-employed digital artist in Thailand?
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?
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.
26 repliesnewest first
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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…
John ******
This is the type of request that made me go soft power route. Fraction of paper work
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!😊
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...
Andi ***********
Which embassy ? You are registered self-employed with govt/tax office?
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.
Somari *********
OP@Andi **********
Los Angeles. Registering,? "not going to happen". This is more of a hobby just generating money and plenty of it.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. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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.Thomas ********
@Somari ********
Okay 🤡🤡Somari *********
OP@Thomas *******
stop. That's not true.Thomas ********
@Deepak ******
Semantics. The point is that he’s evading taxes and illegally operating a business where he lives.Deepak *******
@Thomas *******
He must pay both the income tax and the full FICA taxes, including the employer's portions.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.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.
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).Luit *****************
@Somari ********
The idea of a true digital nomad is not that you pay tax nowhere...Even if that might be fantastic
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 powerAndi ***********
@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.
James ********
@Somari ********
not really. Meet the requirements for the DTV visa and you get it.Somari *********
OP@Andi **********
defeats the idea of being a true digital nomad if you have people to answer to
Sefton ********
So where are you paying your income taxes ?? Show your self employed trading account and tax record.
Somari *********
OP@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.
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)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.
Tore *********
Self employed providing services but no registered company? Register your company.
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