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What type of taxes do expats pay after retirement in Thailand?
Mar 14, 2025
a year ago
Karl *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIs anyone able to tell me what type of taxes you pay after retirement? I believe it has to do with the amount of income? Are you paying alot or a moderate amount?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the taxation obligations of retirees living in Thailand, focusing on income sourced from abroad and the implications of tax residency. Key points include that expats residing in Thailand for over 180 days may be considered tax residents and are subject to income tax on local earnings. However, several comments clarify that certain pensions, like those from the US, are not taxed in Thailand due to the Double Tax Agreement. Importantly, individuals are encouraged to review specific tax treaties relevant to their nationality and the types of income they receive.
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Mike *******
@Karl ********
. You are from the United States? The United States has a tax treaty with Thailand. You only pay taxes to the United States. I lived in Bangkok for three years. I only filed with the United States. As for how much and what a person is taxed? That depends on the type of income, investments, etc.
Jeff *********
Half your retirement should cover it
Newton ********
Don’t you still have to pay taxes in the United States even if you don’t live there and you are a citizen?
Frank **********
@Newton *******
yes, you still have to file a return every year.Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
John *********
I have decided (right or wrong) to wait until immigration tells me that to stay another year requires filing taxes in county. That will decide it for me.
Jeff *********
@John ********
perfectRoberto *********
@John ********
That won't happen because many expats are not required to submit a tax return. Such a scheme would be fraught with problemsSue **********
@John ********
If that ever would happen, then its already too late for you 😉Reply to
Sue **********
Reply
Roberto *********
If you're talking about taxes in Thailand, read and absorb the DTA relevant to your country. Chances are if you are importing pension money you will pay zero
Newton ********
@Roberto ********
how about Social Security?Roberto *********
@Newton *******
I'm Australian. "Pensions" paid in Australia are not taxable in Thailand. I don't know about Social Security. You will need to read and absorb your country's DTARoberto *********
@Newton *******
I just looked up the US DTA and it appears under Article 20 that Social Security payments are taxable only in the US, so any SS money you transfer to Thailand will not be taxed in Thailand.Newton ********
@Roberto ********
that’s good to know thank youNewton ********
@Roberto ********
OK thanks I have a house in Florida so I’ll maintain my address in Florida for Social Security and pension purposes.Reply to
Newton ********
Reply
Frank **********
To answer your question SS and other Federal pensions are not subject to Thai tax according to the Double Tax Agreement. Everything else if brought into Thailand would be taxed.
Marty *********
Those of us with a pensioner LTR visa pay no taxes in Thailand on money brought into Thailand. After that US citizens are supposed to pay federal taxes in the US. We don’t pay state taxes in the US if we are no longer a tax resident on any state.
Colin *********
If you bring in money from outside of Thailand, i believe you have to pay tax on it, thai gov started to do taxes on foreign money coming in, but all in the air at the moment,
Marty *********
@Colin ********
Not if you have a pensioner LTR visa.Colin *********
@Marty ********
are ok goodReply to
Colin *********
Reply
Michael ********
Your Question is better answered by the Thai Revenue website, if you live here more than 180 day's you are a Tax resident, you pay tax on your income but every country is different.
Phil ******
@Michael *******
define income and where its earned. Ie Non b people pay tax on money earned in Thailand from day 1 so your statement is incorrectMichael ********
@Phil *****
the original question has nothing to do with working in Thailand, so my statement is correct for that question.Phil ******
@Michael *******
but if he's on a non o extension based on retirement he won't need a tin.Michael ********
@Phil *****
also not correct, I'm on a non o extension live in TH more than 180 day's and pay tax, I don't know why people think TH is a Tax free country, it's all on the revenue website or just visit them. Some people don't have to pay tax some do, it depends on your personal situation.Phil ******
@Michael *******
no I had 2 opinions one in Australia and here in Bangkok. Both said I'm not liable for paying tax here in Thailand. If you see my post I said to get professional advice.Michael ********
@Phil *****
Fare enough , but thats your personal situation.Phil ******
@Michael *******
absolutely. But instead of asking here get some professional adviseMichael ********
@Phil *****
That's exactly what I suggested to Karl Leonard who wrote the post.Phil ******
@Michael *******
thanks but I never read it that wayReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Matthew *********
@Phil *****
key word earned in ThailandPhil ******
@Matthew ********
and Non BReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Charlie *********
@Michael *******
This is the best advice, as certain types of income are exempt by tax treaty, like US Social Security, and vary by each country’s treaty with Thailand. As an aside: from everything I’ve read, processes aren’t in place to adequately address enforcement of paying income tax as a foreign tax resident living in Thailand. So many choose to ignore laws/regulations on the books. You may or may not get away with it. It’s really a matter of deciding to take a chance (or not).Michael ********
@Charlie ********
I've paid mine got my TIN nothing to worry about.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
John **********
Taxes are nothing to do with whether you're retired or not. Taxes get paid on income
Matthew *********
They all can OECD, but it doesn't mean your SS or military pension will be subject to tax. Never going to happen. And you think SS would garnish for taxes because you live in Thailand. Hell NO. It's just more nonsense people are trying to stir up. Thailand isn't stupid enough to go against the treaty. Now digital nomads is what the new amendment was meant to target. As stated that is income generated in Thailand which is subject to taxes.
Dave **********
@John *********
some retirement income is tax except under International Tax Agreements.John **********
@Dave *********
indeed but varies by country and that countries agreement with Thailand. But it's the type of income that matters, not whether one is retired or not.Dave **********
@John *********
some countries tax agreement with Thailand except some types of retirement pay so its not just income in those cases.John **********
@Dave *********
if you want to be pernickety you can go through all 60 odd dual tax agreements and find different exemptions in each one. But the basic principle that income is taxable whether or not you are retired. It applies to income earned inside Thailand and it applies to assessable income remitted to Thailand from elsewhereDave **********
@John *********
you claimed taxes are on income but taxes are in fact on taxable income. All one needs to do is read the applicable Tax Agreement their country has with Thailand to see what is taxable not all the agreements Thailand has. So easyReply to
Dave **********
Reply
Matthew *********
@Dave *********
yep, income earned inside Thailand, not military pension or SS . In has never been or not would it. Treaties are not broken nor do they plan to exit any agreement. You would see a flood of people exiting and people are trying to put fear onto people but the amendment are clear as to income generated inside Thailand like digital workers and the new law are more focused on Thais not expats. I have watch many videos from attorneys that explain it. I guarantee all my pensions are safe. If they want to force people, they hurt their people more than expats. Vietnam and phillipines and Cambodia are more than willing to pick up the slack. Never had any issues in Japan as they respect American military people. So many options. It will suck for all those Thai wifes tho.Michael *******
@Matthew ********
US is exempt, as is UK if it’s already been taxed in UK just an issue with tax years being different , uk is Apr-Apr but no train smash - people can leave for other countries in SE Asia, but only a matter of time before net closes, as those countries seek membership of OECD as Thailand has , and a requirement is regularising tax collection…..Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
Matthew *********
@John *********
Thailand doesn't tax SS payments. Get real and stop false informationMichael *******
@Matthew ********
does not apply to all, my remittances for UK pension are taxable but refundable later due to DTA, tax years are diff hence the need to refund.John **********
@Michael ******
I guess that must be a pension from having worked in government service of some sort? Sure doesn't apply to the UK state pensionMichael *******
@John *********
yip if it’s remitted to Thailand it’s taxable, but as tax paid in UK I get a credit so it’s a wash……just have to wait a couple of months due to different tax year (Uk is Apr-Apr)Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
John **********
@Matthew ********
all well and good if you're American. Not all of us are. SS is excused tax due to a carve out in the DTA between the US and ThailandReply to
John **********
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Martyn ***********
None.. Don't listen to the idiots volunteering to pay tax.
Martyn ***********
none as in Thailand obviously....🙄 and exactly .
a law that isn't and wont be enforced ...if you knew how things worked here it never was going to happen...i bet the tax office laughs their tits off when you walk in and volunteer to pay tax...,😂
a law that isn't and wont be enforced ...if you knew how things worked here it never was going to happen...i bet the tax office laughs their tits off when you walk in and volunteer to pay tax...,😂
Charlie *********
@Martyn **********
Martyn Rollinson Nope. There ARE taxes for foreign retirees in Thailand. Really all, but retirees are part of that. But you’re being honest about why you don’t pay them. It isn’t at all about not receiving notice, tho receiving one might change your mind. It’s all about the odds of being caught. Refreshing. We all play the risk/cost-benefit game. Cheers.Reply to
Charlie *********
Reply
Charlie *********
@Martyn **********
“None.. Don't listen to the idiots volunteering to pay tax.”Really means: “If you follow a law that isn’t being enforced and it costs you money, you’re an idiot.” There. I’ve made your statement honest, lol. And the first word (None) was a flat lie.
Michael ********
@Martyn **********
I would say don't listen to idiots trying to avoid paying Tax.Martyn ***********
@Michael *******
Not avoiding? I've had no notification, reminder...invoice? Nothing.. Until they make me, I'm not volunteering.Charlie *********
@Martyn **********
Funny. They won’t make you not rob a bank. Does that mean you’re going to do it?Martyn ***********
@Charlie ********
Nonsense.. 555Charlie *********
@Martyn **********
Yep. Because I said exactly what you did. Just wondering how far your logic extends.Martyn ***********
@Charlie ********
no your comparison is nonsense... 555Charlie *********
@Martyn **********
Sure it is, but it amounts to the same thing. The difference is just a matter of degrees. You either follow Thai law or you don’t. What you meant when you said “until they make me” was really “until you get caught.” At least say it like it is.Martyn ***********
@Charlie ********
have you just arrived in Thailand off the banana boat?you don't seem to know how it works over here.. 555Charlie *********
@Martyn **********
Of course I know how taking advantage of the system works in many countries. I’m not judging you for it. I might even do the same thing. Virtually nobody is a rule- or law-slave. But I won’t represent it as something else, publicize that I’ve done it, or recommend that others do it.Martyn ***********
@Charlie ********
....point well missed..555. your crazy volunteering pay tax end of.Reply to
Martyn ***********
Reply
Pete *******
Your question is nonsensical, why would you pay tax after retirement? What amount of income triggers taxes? What is alot compared to a moderate amount? Please be more precise to get a relevant answer to your question.
Sean **********
@Pete ******
interest Income, social security is income. 401 k is income.Karl *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sean *********
right. thats why posed the question. next week at our retirement briefing I will ask the question SS income TSP income. thanks.Charlie *********
@Karl ********
From everything I’ve read, US government-sourced retirement income is not taxed. Not sure if that means US thrift savings plans or not. And those that can be taxed are only done so in the amounts actually brought into the country.Reply to
Charlie *********
Reply
Pete *******
@Sean *********
and your point is?Reply to
Pete *******
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