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Answered7 months ago

What should non-O visa holders do regarding pending tax declarations in Thailand?

Lindsay *******
asked Mar 27, 2026
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Q. - What are people doing re the pending tax declaration for 180 day + non-O visa holders? There is a dual tax agreement in force with my country of origin and there seems to be a lot of potential tax deductions as over 65 and providing for a Thai family so estimate it will not be a large liability but the thought of more paperwork is not fun...BUT do we know of any procedural link to visa renewal based on the Thai tax return?? Thoughts welcome.
Answer summary
The community discussion explores the tax declaration responsibilities of non-O visa holders in Thailand, especially those who have been in the country for over 180 days. It highlights that many expats are either ignoring the tax filing requirement or are unsure if it has any bearing on visa renewal processes. Key points discussed include the absence of a direct link between tax filings and visa renewals, the concept of assessable income, and experiences from users regarding interactions with the Thai Revenue Department. Some users mention that pensions from countries with a dual tax agreement may not require a tax return if they are not taxable in Thailand, while others indicate the growing concern about future tax audits and compliance.
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Yo***
Yo***
Actually, by Thai law, all Tax residents must file tax return to the local tax offices regardless of paying tax or not. Even, already paid in home country too. declaration of tax residents is a duty. If they do not do this, they do illegal in Thailand. Yes only by law.
Nicknam*******
Nicknam*******
Ignore unless compelled.
Matthew ********
Matthew ********
Zero
Mona ********
Mona ********
Simple - if have evidences that can back up that it is from your income earned/alternatively assets before 1 Jan 2024 there is no tax.
Justin *******
Justin *******
As an Australian afaik our pension from superanuation IS taxed post 1/1/2024. As I could not get a 31/12/2023 statement from Australiansuper, I took my Australiansuper July statement and the daily earnings Jul–Dec 2023 csv file and got AI to work out my balance at 31/12/2023. Also, see here:
*****************************************************************************************
***
/2024. As I could not get a
*****
/2023 statement from Australiansuper, I took my Australiansuper July statement and the daily earnings Jul–Dec 2023 csv file and got AI to work out my balance at
*****
/2023. Also, see here: https://www.rd.go.th/fileadmin/user_upload/lorkhor/newspr/2024/FOREIGNERS_PAY_TAX2024.pdf

Going forward, I’ll keep a record of what I remit into Thailand and when I bust my pre 2024 superanuation amount in decades to come, I’ll need to do a Thai tax return.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Think most are ignoring it I on the other hand have gone to our local tax office and done a return for the last 2 years with both times very little to pay. As you rightly point out many excemptions can be claimed. I'm guessing one day you may see long term visas linked via the Revenue Department I'm 70yrs old don't think I will see it. But just t to have all in order I file a return.

Both times now never used the DTA as no need, plus military pension a bit complicated, as pension is issued as " tax already paid" in my old country.
Deby **************
Deby **************
Its not that difficult to comply with the law. If you want to claim those allowances, you have to actually submit the tax return. The local tax office has English speaking staff and are very helpful. We both had a tax refund so that was nice :-)
Gary ***********
Gary ***********
What are most people doing? Totally ignoring it, not saying that's the correct thing to do but if you want to know what most people are doing then that is the answer
Larry ***************
Larry ***************
I have many friends here in Thailand living here all year and none i have spoke to have or plan to do it.
Mel ******
Mel ******
Not sure if they will ever be linked. But I went to my local Dept of Revenue and they treated me so well. She organised my Tax ID number and also did my online tax filing for me since my situation was so straight forward. I did not even ask for help with the filing; she just started asking a few questions and then I was all done.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Mel Akey yea pretty helpful I thought also
John *********
John *********
Mel Akey that is some excellent first hand advice. Thank you
Allan *******
Allan *******
Mel Akey my tax dept said do nothing in my case. They not interested.
Chriss *********
Chriss *********
Mel Akey Udonthani tax office have twice sent me away, No tax to pay, no TIN, no need for any paperwork. Personally I think I owe a bit. Unfortunately either time they wouldn't give me a letter saying no tax to pay.
Jim ********
Jim ********
Keywords are “assessable income” if you don’t have assessable income then there is no need for a Thai tax return.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Jim Ramsey So if not working and not bringing money in to Thailand how do you pay your way, that is a summing if married wife not working either.
Jim ********
Jim ********
Graeme Drake not all money remitted into Thailand is assessable for Thai taxes. Example: a pension that is not taxable in Thailand per a DTA. If your only remittance is from that pension, you do not have any assessable income, therefore you do not have a Thai tax filing obligation.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Jim Ramsey that's not what Revenue told me , so you are saying that if you get a pension like I receive and NZ has DTA with Thailand I don't have to furnish a tax return. That is assuming one pays tax back in old country. So wouldn't Revenue like to see evidence that you do in.fact pay tax back in the old country. Not that it concerns me as very little to pay here and if they ever link long term visas to tax.
Freddie **********
Freddie **********
"Nothing" is the answer
Andy *******
Andy *******
Best ignore it.. a few years ago I had tax refund from my old company I had closed down several years previously this entailed a visit to thai tax office the amount was less than 1000thb to get the check was one of the most painful experiences ever

So unless I am asked I will offer nothing an frankly I don't expect they would even ask
Rene ********
Rene ********
Andy Jones different experience, I found they gave great service in English
Andy *******
Andy *******
Rene Ordman was that local office or BKK i had dealt with BKK previously as I was based there ,it seemed ok plus mainly my accountant dealt with them.... but this was a local office in the south
Mick *****
Mick *****
Wait till you are asked
John **********
John **********
@Mick ****
the first you will hear from the Thai Revenue Department is if they decide to audit you at which point it's too late to avoid penalties
Mick *****
Mick *****
@John *********
, do you personally know of any retiree who has been " audited " ?

As of April 1st traffic enforcement laws are changing 'again' , do you believe you will see a difference in that ?
David *******
David *******
Most people are ignoring it.
Yo***
Yo***
David Cymru by Thai law, they must declare it to the tax office regardless of how much they pay for tax or zero to pay. Filing itself is a duty of Tax residents. They are doing illegal now in Thailand by Thai laws.
Allan *******
Allan *******
David Cymru because we only have private and gov pensions which are taxed in uk and if that us all you bring here just to clarify. If you bring rent earned on your home or interest earned outside of thailand then there is a POTENTIAL , A POTENTIAL for that part to be taxed. The big BUT is what you had up to
*****
/2023 and they can ask you to prove it may be bought in tax free. That is my understanding. I have no degree on thai tax can or can not do. Just how i see it.
Stuart ***********
Stuart ***********
Can you share a link to whatever you are referring to please, is it something new?

There are always rumours about tax, but if rumours are all you are talking about and you are not earning any money in Thailand there should be nothing to worry about.
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Stuart Chiverton look up Thai Tax guide in English.
Taki****
Taki****
There is no link between visa re-newals and tax
Allan *******
Allan *******
Takiep74 YET.

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