@Martyn **********

7 years in Thailand

I'm working with a tax firm and plan to file a Thai tax return for 2024. Like in the US, I would think that if you don't file the return no one is going to magically show up on your doorstep. I stopped filing tax returns in California in 2019 and only this year did they notice it and send me a letter about it (I got it cleared up OK). I doubt that Thai immigration is going to know anything about your tax status. One could think up all sorts of nefarious ways they could catch you but I would think you could fly under the radar for a long time or forever. However, technically you may actually owe taxes in Thailand and there could be some time in your future when this catches up with you.

The tax treaty with your home country is really going to determine your tax liability. They are probably all pretty similar with regard to avoiding double taxation. I learned some interesting things about the US-Thai treaty that benefits me. I wouldn't have know about it if I hadn't talked to the tax firm.

Filing a tax return is an easy decision for me because my tax liability in Thailand is essentially zero because I have an LTR visa but I will file for 2024 just to see what is going on. I tend to follow the straight and narrow.

Years ago I got one through UPS. I went to an office, had my fingerprints taken, and filled in a form. I got my report a week later and it satisfied my application for an OA visa. Check to see if UPS offers this service in your area.

@Jamie ********

With my BofA account I use my sister’s US address and I don’t discuss it with BofA. Fidelity and my credit union don’t care about my Thai address.

@Jamie ********

I use my sister’s address in Nevada

@Jamie ********

Also make sure you have a login.gov (US) or ID.me (non-Us) account and password to access your SS account online.

@Jamie ********

I have a US address and US bank. My SS benefits are deposited to my US bank. Social Security though has my Thai address. I signed up for SS using the Manila Social Security office. When I changed my address in Thailand I informed the Manila SS office.

@Jamie ********

That’s up to you. You want to do this through the Manila Social Security office in the Philippines. That is the office that serves Social Security recipients in Asia. Once you are here then email them to make contact and ask for instructions.

@Jamie ********

I do get the letter and I have never had any problem getting the letter, either in Bangkok or in rural Sisaket province, and I have never had my benefits interrupted. I find mail delivery in Thailand to be pretty good except maybe around New Years. I return the letter using Express Mail service which is faster and is tracked.

I’ve heard the stories too but that has not been my experience. You can test the mail service yourself while you are living here. It doesn’t do any good to have it sent to my sister’s house in Nevada.

@Anthony ********

I moved to Thailand when I was 60 years old and I am married to a Thai. By the time I was 65 I was sure that I was going to be staying in Thailand permanently. If you already have Part B I think you can still get out. So, like me, be sure you are leaving the US for good or investigate how to discontinue Part B later when you are sure.