Why does the Thai embassy request tax returns for the DTV visa application?

Oct 30, 2024
23 days ago
I applied for the DTV visa. Now, they’re asking for my tax returns from the last two years. Do they want to assess my income, or do they just want to know if I’m paying taxes?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry revolves around the requirement for tax returns from the last two years for a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) application in Thailand. While the primary requirement is to show a minimum balance of 500,000 THB in the bank, the embassy may ask for additional documentation, including tax returns. This can serve to verify the applicant's income and legitimacy of funds, even if income requirements are not explicitly stated. The conversation reveals differing opinions on the significance of the tax returns and the discretion of embassies in requesting documentation that goes beyond basic stated requirements.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
John **********
If you are applying under workation they want to see that you are legitimate. You're tax returns prove that
Gabe ********
Paying taxes
George *******
All of the above
Glenn **********
Embassy has the right to ask for whatever documents they deem necessary for a particular application. Sure there is a standard list they require but can also require more.

1 != n
Dominic ******
@Glenn *********
Shouldn't it be

!(n -> n+1)

? 😃
Henrik *****
Doesn’t matter, you just give them the documents they ask for, or you will be rejected, and loose the 10.000 Baht fee.
Dominic ******
@Henrik ****
I think you got something mixed up. The DTV doesn't just cost 10k THB. And dependnig on the embassy you don't have to pay at all if you get rejected.
Henrik *****
Most Embassies are E-visa, where you pay as a part of the application proces.

Only very few Embassies, you pay when picking up the visa.
James *******
They want to see you are legit company, not bothered how much you earn.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ******
Are you sure?
James *******
Anonymous participant why would they ask for 500k in personal savings and then want to know your company tax amount. Tax amount doesnt determine anything as many successful ones avoid it! You could be living of company funds anyway that would further requced your tax exposure. If you mean your personal tax, many company directors don't pay tax as they pay themselves the maximum non taxable amount.
Dominic ******
Since they want to see a certain amount of money on your bank account to prove you can support yourself, they probably just want to assess your income.

But then again, the requrements clearly say it's not about regular income, just about having 500k THB on your account.

No one knows what the real background is therefore. Could also be, as you assumed, related to taxes.

Either way, what's the harm in providing those tax statements? You did of course pay taxes, as you should, right? 🙂
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dominic *****
Could this be a reason for the rejection?
Dominic ******
Anonymous participant Neither me, nor anyone else here in the group can tell you, sinec no one here (presumably) is an immigration officer. Unless they told you so, I'd assume it's not but only they can say for sure.

I'm not even going to speculate because chances are, my guess is wrong. 🙂
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dominic *****
Thank you for the response. Yes, I do pay taxes. I’m asking because it’s not mentioned in the DTV requirements. In the years for which you need a tax return, my income was still low and fluctuating. It only improved this year.
Dominic ******
Anonymous participant Ah, don't worry about that then I'd say.

It's btw normal that not everything is stated. The state the bare miminmum, but if the officer working on your application wants to know more abiout you, they will ask.

For example, it only says 500k THB on your account, nothing about previous bank statements. Yet, some people get asked for the 3 or 6 months prior. It's up to them. 🙂
Abigail ******
What embassy?
Werner ************
They want to assess your true income
David ********
Makes sense, normally we all pay taxes somewhere
Scott *******
@David *******
We all do a lot of things. The issue is not that we pay taxes but rather what Thai Embassy is doing with the return. Possibly just to confirm your work information you submitted for DTV application but also possible these Embassies have implemented some kind of unwritten net income requirement beyond the 500k in bank.
Charles **********
Soft power or your own business you are applying under
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charles *********
Own Business
Don *****
How did you apply under soft power? Digital nomad? Which embassy ?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Don ****
Digital Nomad
Don *****
Anonymous participant much easier through soft power
Deepak *******
Whatever they use it, they've asked for and must provide. Why do you care? Are you trying to avoid taxes or trying to cheat your way? If none of that, nothing to worry.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Deepak ******
Thank you for the response. I do pay taxes. I’m asking because it’s not mentioned in the DTV requirements. In the years for which you need a tax return, my income was still low and fluctuating. It only improved this year.
Deepak *******
Anonymous participant Please understand that embassies/consults of a country can ask for any document they want beyond the minimum published. It is the same throughout the world for every country.
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant Some embassies do request them., can be evidence of working for a legit company and that your income is from overseas. it is not unusual There is no Income requirement for the DTV.
Max *****
@Deepak ******
basically not your business i would say. Preach things to your kids and leave other adults in peace 🕊️
Christopher ***********
@Max ****
Why not ask those who are requesting this information what they want to know for?
Deepak *******
@Christopher **********
Good answer. Max Mai wants to be a tax cheat and asks the forum to help him if it is possible under the DTV scheme. Good luck
Robert ***********
@Deepak ******
Your statement makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Scott *******
@Deepak ******
He asked why Thai Embassy wants tax returns. This is a fair question since not all Thai Embassies ask for it and it is not part of stated requirements for the visa. So what are they using it for? Could be the Embassies in these countries are enforcing some kind of unwritten net income requirement beyond the 500k in the bank. If so, that fact and what level they are enforcing would be valuable for people to know.
Deepak *******
@Scott ******
Embassies and consulates can ask anything they want. They don't have to give any reason for their demand. It is the same throughout the world for any type of visa. The requirement is the minimum and only a guide.
Christopher ***********
@Scott ******
We know requirements (and even the actual fee) varies depending upon where we apply to. Question is even if it isn’t stated as a requirement is anyone wanting a DTV going to be the one to make a complaint? Could also have been requested simply as reliable ‘proof of address?’.
Jennifer ******
@Deepak ******
a lot of digital nomads don't pay taxes because they don't live in 1 place long enough but they enjoy the infrastructure that the taxpayers of that country provide.
Dominic ******
@Jennifer *****
I recently learned that that's illegal and you're always liable to pay 'somewhere'. Might be the last country you've been a tax resident in or your home country.

Can you point me to resources that are as trustworthy as the three tax consultants I spoke to about it to prove them wrong? 😃

I don't want to avoid taxes, I'm more than happy to pay them. As should everyone else. But I'm in a limbo of actually not knowing WHERE I have to pay them next year because I'm in that less-than-180-days-everywhere situation.
Tore *********
@Jennifer *****
allot would be a big exaggeration. Most “home countries” don’t relieve you of taxes duties until you can provide tax ID from another country.

And try to move significant money without being tax resident anywhere 😉 You can obviously move it in crypto, but wait until you try off ramp to a bank.

Anyway, each to their own obviously
Dominic ******
@Tore ********
Exactly. Turns out it's actually not possible to not be a tax resident anywhere. It's always some place. The last country you've been a tax resident in or your home country or whatever. I've talked to some accountants and they told me it's very likely illegal what most people do.

I just pay tax, as we should, and be save with it. Nothing wrong with contributing to society (somewhere).
Tony *********
@Tore ********
it’s actually very easy to Sell Crypto for Thai Baht and withdraw directly to you Thai Bank
Tore *********
@Tony ********
and when you cash out to a Thai Bank account from for example Bitkub, even with small withdrawals like 30k baht they send a tax report pdf to Thai tax authorities (and you) . If no thai Tax ID they use passport ID.
Tore *********
@Tony ********
yea i know that, i do that all the time. What was your point? I was talking about moving substantial amounts without having a tax ID or being able to document the source of large sums.

Try moving 100K eur in the banking system without being tax resident anywhere…..
Steve ********
Where did you apply?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Martha **********
@Steve *******
Malaysia ans Singapore area the most difficult places to apply for DTV.
Greg ********
Personal tax returns or company? Which embassy?