KhunHeineken

Who, Carl, or the TRD????

I can, you can, we all can. It's called a prediction. We can predict things based on the information at hand, at the time. No one is saying it's a fact, otherwise, there would be link after link backing up the fact. Nothing wrong with preparing and exploring options for all scenarios, based on predictions. Thai's and MONEY, I would say it's highly probably. Please post your case for why you think it will not happen. Yeah, yeah, I know. There's been no mention of it to date, blah blah blah. That's why it's called a prediction. Many members like you posting why it will not happen, but not posting why they have formed such an opinion. Go on the record. Post why YOU think none of this tax policy will be linked to annual extensions. I disagree. The future is ours to see, because we have the foresight and the freedom to do so. We all have options. I will live in Vietnam for 6 months if I have to. I have already picked the city and the condo block. What I haven't done is sit back and BS about how the TRD would have to hire 1 million more staff blah blah blah. The Thai's can smell money in this, and they will turn a baht out of it one way or another. It's not going to go away.

There are some members relying on Somchai's advice from their local TRD Office that they do not have to file. The Senior Legal Advisor from the TRD basically said disregard Somchai's advice, and go back with documents to demand a TIN and file, so you can get that magical piece of paper that many believe will be needed at extension time. Who to believe? Somchai, because it's easier, or the Senior Legal Advisor of the TRD, to cover your a**?

As said, while the 800k is making wayyyy more than the agent's fee, I'll pay the agent, and not have to deal with queues and immigration. Some years ago, I went to the immigration office to do something DIY. I think it was a Certificate of Residence. There was a long queue. Elderly retirees were outside under a tent, struggling with the heat. Their Thai spouses were wiping them down with a cool towel, or fanning them. It looked like a concentration camp. Any one of these elderly guys could have popped clogs there and then, in the heat, and for what, to say they only paid 1,900 baht for their extension, when their 800k baht loses around 30k baht because it's in Thailand. No, not for me. I'm no Elon Musk, but I know a good deal when I see one, and leaving the 800k in my home country, where it more than pays for the agent, and not having to deal with immigration, is a good deal for me.

So, to get a TIN you needed a certificate from immigration, but absolutely NO WAY in the future in order to get an extension you will need a certificate from the TRD.

I accept that, and agree, and that will be my way of dealing with this tax policy, through an agent / accountant, of course. The main thing is I will be in their system as having filed, and I will have proof of doing so. which goes a long way to having no nasty surprises down the track. Members on another thread are telling me how it's "illegal" to use an agent for extensions. Yes, it is illegal, but TiT. In relation to this tax policy, it's funny how some members say it will never happen, because of TiT, but if it does happen, they will use TiT to their advantage to deal with it. I don't have a problem with using TiT to deal with things here, but it's funny how some will change from being "legal" and criticizing others, to using TiT and being "illegal" when it suits them.

And possibly tax evaders, in the future.

Yawn. I've said many times it's my opinion. YOU have not put forward ANY reason why they would never do it. So, go on the record, and post why YOU think it will NEVER be linked. Would it hurt you to cast an eye over tomorrow, instead of just living for today?

Yes, until you have to deal with Thai government officials and they say to you, "Why you no fink mut about this? Now you must pay 10,000 baht for no do before."

Taking the "linking" possibility away from it, are you suggesting that this whole tax policy, as been reported in the news, IS NOT currently being applied as we speak? Are you saying the whole thing doesn't exist, and is nothing? Can you clarify your position on the issue?

There are many UK pensioners with "other" sources of income.

I asked why would I, not why would you?

This case serves as a reminder to all of what's at stake when being in a relationship with a Thai women who may have questionable motives . Many say, "when I die, she gets the condo." Or, "when I die, she get the 800k baht extension money." Just imagine for one moment she is successful in this legal action. The word will spread all over Thailand and then your children's inheritance is up for grabs. It would not be the first time of have seen one's wealth redistributed to a village / Thai family in Issan.

800k back in my home country paying over 5%. Transferred with Wise, or similar, into my Thai bank account within seconds, free ATM withdrawals. Why would I donate 800k to a Thai bank????

I appreciate you your post, but all too late for me now. In any case, I happy pay to not deal with immigration. As I has said, ability, or affordability, was never an issue with the 800k. It was more about not putting 800k into an unstable, 3rd World Country, that pays a pittance. The 800k is earning more then 40k back in my home country, and I've been bringing in more than 65k a month for years, which can be a "go to" if they ever stop it, and the agent's fees are very reasonable, and I don't deal with queues and immigration. As I said, there's no downside.

I 100% agree. I'll ride the wave to the shore, but it has been in place for decades, however, should they put a stop to it, I have been bringing in more than 65k baht a month for years.

Hardy. For me, it's about the safety of the asset, and not getting f*cked around by immigration. The interest earned leaving the 800k in my home country is just a bonus.

And, no need to deal with queues and immigration. The only downside anyone has put forward is it's "illegal." Well, TiT. They certainly can't argue with the math / financials. For your 10k more you get the ability to earn 42k, and your money is not in an unstable, 3rd World Country. Also, it's still in part of your estate in the UK. It's a no brainer. One member has put forward the 800k is for his wife, upon his demise. I accept that reason, but not the reasoning "my extension only cost 1,900 baht, that's why I have 800k here."

Same question to you. Do you think this will all go away, and we can all do nothing? Go on the record.

Simple question for you. What's stopping everyone from saying they went to a TRD Office and was told no need to file? There's no record one went there. No record of the meeting. No record of who they spoke to. No record of the information given. It's basically like it never happened. Do you think this explanation will "fly?" Can you see the disconnect between the information Thai banks pass on to the Thai government, and what Somchai at the TRD Office is telling people? Remember, the Thai banks only see the amount of cash. They don't know if it's assessable or non assessable. I have a feeling, without having a certificate from the TRD, even saying zero baht tax to pay, it could come back to bite people, either this year, or in the future. I also put forward that such a certificate might be like the certificate of residence. It should be free, but most pay 300 baht for it. The TRD certificate could go the same way. I have never said I have a crystal ball for this tax policy. I have just put forward some scenarios. I am not one of the members that believe it will all just go away, and that's because there's money involved. Do you believe it will all go away, and nothing will happen?

I have said in many posts, "The Thai's must have something up their sleeve." I have also been quite vocal on the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way they can enforce this tax policy, and that is through needing a TRD certificate at extension time. There was the below thread. In your opinion, is the TRD boss full of hot air?

I did mention immigration make it harder, on purpose, to frustrate expats, and create an incentive for them to use an agent. You just proved my point. I have also said I expect the 800k / 65k to be raised in the future. It has been these amounts for decades. It can't stay at these amounts for ever. Say it gets raised to 1 million baht, that makes it even a worse deal. However, this is for another thread.

These are selling like hot cakes. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/387862728775?srsltid=AfmBOopHaPVXM7pLSzi73vB3SwAl57mSihTyKKFRYZY_SGHOrPc9RcON

The deadline for one to file is the 31st March. How can they possibly enforce it within the filing window period? Do you think it's all smoke and no fire? I have said many times there will be chaos, and they will make things up on the fly. I have also said this tax policy will evolve. So, what it is in 2025, may not be what it is in 2026. Surely you concede the Thai's can smell a baht in it for them? On that basis, why would they be handing out free passes?

I said the ones using the 800k baht in a Thai bank, just sitting there for years, earning nothing, and they still have to line up at immigration, are "mugs" and the word "mugs" was used by another member. I just re-posted his description. Should they ever stop the use of agents here, I will move to the 65k baht method, and will be forced to line up at immigration with the 800k baht "mugs." No way does a Thai bank get a "donation" from me.