I received my latest confirmation (about two weeks ago) within 40 minutes after submitting!

@Tony *********

That’s actually 6 July. 😉

Now about the 800k being taxable:

Let’s be realistic. It’s taxable when it’s foreign taxable income in your first year in Thailand *and* you transfer it into Thailand, right?

If earned in a year before becoming tax resident it’s qualified as savings, or “unspent prior income” and prior income is not taxed, no matter when you transmit it into Thailand.

Now, having 0baht income in USA in a year when you are at least 180 days in Thailand, and that money must be here at least 5 months, that means you were able to save 800k in six or seven months while still having to pay for food, housing, etc during the months that you remained in your home country.

Again, realistically spoken only a happy few, small percentage, of expats coming to Thailand is able to save 800k in six months from their foreign income while living abroad.

The chance that someone needs to pay tax on the 800k is really small. And in all honesty, those who have such income that they can save that kind of money in six months or less (almost usd 25,000) should not complain about contributing to the society. 😉

The exception is made for those who sell investments or property (e.g. foreign home) right before coming to Thailand. I was in that group myself and I ensured that I remained under 180 days in that year.

Thailand Tax rules for expats

@Jack **********

US Social Security is not taxed in Thailand, as per the dta between Thailand and USA.

Thailand Tax rules for expats

@Mike ********

You are sadly mistaken. As soon as you pass the limit of being 180 days within a calendar year in Thailand you are automatically Thai tax resident.

You could be tax resident in another country as well, but definitely a Thai tax resident.

That does not imply that you have to pay tax. A tax liability is based on entirely different criteria.

But again: 180 days in Thailand makes you tax resident.

Nonsense.

1) Savings from years before becoming tax resident are never taxed.

So in order to make the 800k taxable it must have been earned (outside of Thailand!) in a year when you become or are tax resident.

That means you were 180 days or more in Thailand so you must have made 800k in less than half a year. PLUS enough income to live abroad during those six months.

I place a safe bet than less than 10% of all newcomers makes that much money in his last six months abroad.

The whole BS about the 800k ever becoming taxable income is a Friday evening fantasy of some Facebook users who couldn’t keep their liquor.

The only exception being those who sold their home or other investments just prior to moving to Thailand and made a generous profit on the sale (which is hardly taxed in many countries but fully taxed in Thailand.

2) The 65k monthly can originate from any source, either taxable or not taxable. There are plenty examples of monthly transfers from untaxable sources, such as savings or tax exempt income.

The immigration officer probably just wanted to share a thrilling novel or something…

More information in the Thailand tax rules group on Facebook, here:

Thailand Tax rules for expats

I guess the fastest way would be by plane. Probably also better for your budget than by boat. 😉

@Pete ******

Afaik when you switch from 800k to the 65k monthly method you need to keep the 800k only for three months. For the rest of the year it’s “only” 400k.

The prerequisite is to receive 65k foreign transfers into your account for 12 months during that year.

@Dean ******

As much as you want, but you’ll have to declare it when it’s more than 20k usd.

There’s no specific “border taxation” on it. Note that, under current tax laws, money brought in which originates from taxable income will become subject to income tax in the fiscal year it’s brought in.

If you come as a tourist and remain under 180 days of staying in Thailand while bringing in money, there’s zero charge.

@Alastair ******

sending money to Thailand can only become taxable if it’s money coming from a taxable source.

@Andrew *******

Well… It’s not forbidden to translate the first page. But it’s not mandatory. If you look well at those translated IDP, and you seem to have seen hundreds or so, then of course you have noticed that the non-native language is in Italic print. As mandated by the treaty.

The treaty specifically states that the first page must be in (one of) the native language of the issuing country. Additional translations (e.g. Thailand provides an *ADDED* English translation) must be in Italic print.

Go find the treaty text if you think you know better.

PS You may have seen an American or a British IDP. These countries are (sort of) native English.