@Paul ******

On the flip side, I become a tax resident by living in Thailand more than 180 days. It didn’t matter before but this year it does due to some new interpretations of the tax rules. The US and Thailand have a tax treaty the prevents double taxation but exactly how this is going to play out is still not known.

So you are over 50, retired, possibly a wife?, and you’ve been here before

I suggest you get a non-immigrant O vise while still in the US. Once here get a bank account in the first month. You may possibly need an agent to do this these days. Find a place to live if you haven’t already done so. Those are going to be the essentials.

You are going to need money in a Thai bank for your 1 year extension of the O visa. Make you have the money available in your US bank.

I suggest that you not cut all your ties with the US immediately. Maintain a US address using a family member or friend. Keep a US bank and make sure you can send money by wire transfer to Thailand. Have two banks and two credit cards. Keep your US phone numbers and make sure it is a phone number that your bank will accept for 2 factor authorization.

For your passport, US drivers license, and credit cards make sure your expiration dates are as far out as you can make them.

@Joann *******************

You cannot get a one year extension with a 60 day visa exempt entry. You have to start with an O or OA visa.

@Paul ******

Not at all. You do not have to pay taxes in a state you do not live in. That is true if you move from one state to another in the US. You only pay where you are a tax resident. You may be a tax resident in two states during the first year transition or if you maintain a business, property, or certain other ties to your previous state. There are tax residency criteria but if you don't meet those criteria and no longer live in the state then you don't pay taxes there. That is true if you move abroad as well. I do pay federal taxes and I vote by mail through my previous CA voting office.

Earlier this year I got a letter from the CA Franchise Tax Board saying that they noticed that I didn't file a tax return in 2019, my first year of not filing CA taxes. They said I owed $6,000. I sent them a copy of my passport showing that I hadn't been in the US more than a couple of weeks for the past 4 years. I also sent them copies of my Thai drivers license and Thai government pink ID card. They responded that I was no longer a tax resident and could disregard the earlier notice. (Note - they sent the notice to my address in rural Thailand)

@David *****

62 is the age you can begin to collect US Social Security. You can claim between 62-70.

@Paul ******

After 2 years in Thailand I decided it was a permanent move and stopped paying California taxes. Whatever state you are from, if you don’t live there then you don’t have to pay taxes.

If you are referring to the yearly proof of life letter, I return it using EMS mail. You can sort of track the envelope and it is much faster than regular mail. I think it costs about $30.

I just did a $1,000 wire transfer from the US to my Thai bank. My US bank does not charge for international transfers. I looked at what was deposited in my Thai bank and it looks like I paid 133 baht in the transfer and exchange.

@David ****

Insurance is impossible to price for others because it depends on you age, your health status, your deductible, and coverage.

I bought my policy when I was 62. I am 68 now. It is a 10 million baht policy with a 40,000 baht deductible. I pay 78,000฿/yr which includes a no claim discount.

Check to see if your bank will accept sending codes by email. My credit union allows this. My primary US commercial bank identifies me using a security usb stick.

I do have an AT&T phone number but I rarely turn it on.