KhunHeineken

So, that's it then. No need for any foreigners to file. Mods, please close all the tax threads. The conclusion is no foreigners have to file because the TRD have no way of knowing, or finding out, the "true" source of a foreigners income. Actually, they can't even make foreigners file because it's a "self assessment" system. Pre 2024 savings. No need to file. Job done. Geez, the Thai's really dropped the ball on this one. All that easy money sitting there for the taking and they have NOTHING in place to force foreigners to prove the source of their remittances. I wonder how long before they stop this simple loophole?

Correct, but I opened the account with an Australian passport, and updated my ID when I got a new passport. The bank/s are well aware I am not American. Also, why only Kasikorn, why not all of the Thai banks?

Most on this forum are retired, as I am. They couldn't care less about the Department of Labor. I've given examples of departments communicating with each other but you refuse to accept it happens. Not much more to discuss on the matter, is there?

Or, the same reason, taxation.

What's there to like about ANY paperwork in Thailand????

It's an old DTA from the 80's. Australia is in the process of renewing their DTA's with other countries, but it could take some time.

Given the uncertainty surrounding this whole tax policy, do you see a problem with being "defensive?"

I couldn't care less what problems they have with each other. I only care about what problems they can make for me.

If that's the case, why did I receive an email from Kasikorn bank, as did many others, and I have to go in there and sign some forms related to nationality and taxation?

I agree, and it's been well discussed. For new retirees looking to set up their retirement in Thailand, transfer in your 800k baht, and whatever money to purchase a property, perhaps a car also. Buy everything, but only stay in Thailand for 179 days that calendar year.

Huh? Police work for the government. You completely missed the point. Here's another example for you. A Thai drivers license. Foreigners need a certificate of residence to produce to the land transport office. Do you not see there are occasions where you need a document from one entity / department to produce to another department? Sort of makes your posts irrelevant then, doesn't it? Or, immigration will not process their extension without a certificate from the TRD. Do you get it now?

I hear you. To date, just about every member bends over backwards not to breach any immigration laws, yet, many don't seem to see the TRD laws in the same light. Interesting. I'm sure the Thai government has more twists in the tail for foreigners in relation to this tax. 2025 will just be the start of its evolution.

Thai's don't need a visa to live in Thailand. A Thai bank isn't even a government department, but you need a document from your Thai bank at extension time. Or, a clever TRD sees it as and easy, cheap, and effective method to force foreigners into a TRD office.

Maybe because not everyone is living here on pre 2024 savings, and their fortnightly / monthly social security payments are not covered by a DTA. Example: the Australian old age pension is not covered by a DTA. Do you have any advice for the thousands of Aussie old aged pensioners living fortnight to fortnight in Thailand on their pension?

I like the terminology you used, "be defensive." I don't trust the Thai government, and I don't trust people who work in Thai government departments, particularly Thai police. I don't think I am alone. I will be defensive. I will file and declare. For me, it's not only that I have filed, but I need to be seen to have filed, and need proof that I have filed, to have some certainty about this tax policy. I am prepared to pay, up to a certain amount. for this piece of mind. I really do think there are more chapters to this book, and it will just be the gift that keeps giving, but file, declare, pay or no pay, have a document showing such, and you are done with it. Call it defensive, but it will work for me. I understand others do not hold the same view, and that's fine. I wish everyone good luck with dealing with this tax policy, and how it relates to their individual circumstances.

Why tell the truth if there is NOTHING in place to confirm the truth, unless.................................................. Or, because a junior staff member of the TRD said no need to file. Be sure to record the meeting.

This pension is covered by the DTA. For the benefit of other Aussie members, the old age pension is not covered by the DTA. Everyone's circumstance are different. Not everyone has a LTR. I am speaking in general. People MAY be redirected to a TRD office because whilst you know you receive a government service pension, and it is covered by the DTA, the TRD does not. All they see in the money remitted, not the source. If you think they do, perhaps you can post how you think they know you are on a government service pension. Good Luck with doing NOTHING about any of it. I'm sure NOTHING will come back to bite you, EVER. I use ten rental properties for example purposes. It could be shares, bank interest, superannuation, owning a business in one's home country etc.

Exactly. My point being that you had to go through the process. Get it?

It goes back to the old debate, how does the TRD know you are not required to file when they don't know the amount and source of one's income. This debate is at a stalemate. Some say, "my income is not assessable, so I do not need to file" and some say, "how does the TRD know your income is not assessable if you don't file and inform them?" There's no right or wrong answer. I can see both sides. We will soon all get to see how it unfolds.

That's the way I saw it, particularly as it had one of the senior advisers from the TRD on the panel. Did you see the part where he said there would be "big trouble" for not paying tax? If you did, do you think it would be better to file and declare, even if you know you have no tax to pay, than to do nothing, so you at least have proof of doing the right thing, thus being completely legal here?

That's the way it appears to me, OR, remit as much as you want, but only stay in Thailand 179 days.

How will they know that, in a "self assessment" system? As posted, foreigners are not Somchai up in the village. We have to remain legal here, or we are out.

He also said there can be "big trouble" for not paying tax. His words, not mine.

Agree, but Thai citizens don't need a visa to live in Thailand, foreigners do. Agree. Is it soooo left field to think they will not implement a TRD document being required for an extension? I mean, a couple of examples are, many people said cannabis would never be legalized, yet it was. Many people said Thaksin would never be back, but here he is. Would it surprise you if a TRD certificate was needed by immigration in the future? Agree. I have always said it was my "prediction." I ca not provide a link. Once again, is it soooo left field to consider they will not make it a requirement at extension time? Nah, they are NEVER going to ask, and if they EVER do, just tell them all your remittances is from non assessble income. They have ZERO in place to combat this loop hole, and that's because they never thought anyone would do such a thing. I've always said the Thai's must have something up their sleeve in relation to compliance by foreigners. They just haven't revealed it yet.

No, not psychic. I can just see further than the road than the Leo sitting on the bar.