Jeffrey346

1 minute ago, Pib said:

All of that is true about SSA DD "if ACH was used"...that is, using the Bangkok Bank NY branch routing number.  But if using IDD none of that applies.  Two different animals...two different systems....two different set of rules/regulations as mentioned earlier.

 

As mentioned in my posts above and related ThaiVisa threads on IDD has been available for Thailand since mid 2019.  Actually SSA added Thailand to their approved IDD List in Nov 2018, began a pilot program with about 10 people to test the IDD for Thailand setup, and in mid 2019 fully opened IDD for Thailand.  As mentioned I have a household member enrolled in IDD since mid 2019....works great....payments are paid into a regular Bangkok Bank acct with zero restrictions...none of the restrictions like with their direct deposit acct for US govt payment made via ACH.

 

SSA over the last year or so has added a lot of countries to their IDD list....Thailand being just one of them.

Thanks very much.. Good info.

2 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

I took the post to mean that if your income was solely from overseas and you already lodge a tax return overseas then the Thais aren't interested in you lodging a Thai tax return

You actually have a choice.  You can file here or your home country. Example:

My friend is German. He files his taxes here in Thailand on all his income as Thai tax is lower than the German tax he would have to pay.

Just now, saengd said:

Sorry, I edited my post just as you replied.

 

There are plenty of circumstances that I can imagine where a person has to file a Thai tax return, I mentioned just two, the blanket rule of filing a tax return overseas can't really be viable.

This is not about filing a Thai tax return. The question was:  are you subject to Thai tax on SSA DD. The answer is NO if you file a return in your home country.

If you earn monies here in Thailand you will have to declare it.

2 minutes ago, saengd said:

How do you reclaim tax paid on say savings account interest, paid in Thailand?

My wife handles it, but I believe it gets deposited in a bank account.

9 hours ago, oobar said:

Does anyone actually know someone who has had to pay any tax to Thailand for monthly SS income that arrives by direct deposit?  I don't.  It seems to be pretty much of a silly concern.

My wife works for the Revenue Dept. Since she is fluent English, she handles foreigners that come to her office.

The rule is:

If you file taxes in your home country, you are NOT subject to file taxes in Thailand.  

3 minutes ago, Pib said:

Up until SSA mid 2019 when a person was able to switch from ACH to IDD if desired, Bangkok Bank was the only Thai bank able to receive US govt payments like SSA because SSA could only do SSA "ACH" payments.  No other Thai bank can receive payment via ACH.

 

So, yes, if receiving your SSA payment via ACH (that is using the Bangkok Bank NY branch routing number) then Bangkok Bank had the restrictions you mention because they were the only bank able to receive the US govt payments via ACH.

 

But if a person signs up for IDD which does "not" use ACH but uses SWIFT (Bangkok Bank NY branch completely out of the picture) then a person can have their payment sent to any Thai bank...to a regular, unrestricted Thai baht saving acct.  Even have the IDD payment go to a regular Bangkok Bank saving acct with no restrictions.

 

Whether your are signed up for payment via ACH or IDD makes all the differences...two different animals...two different transfer systems....different rules for each.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Years ago BKK Bank told me that SSA DD had to be accessed in person.

The said the reason is due to the wife or GF of recipients who had passed was still using their ATM card to access the money.

If I use IDD and my BKK account I should have no issue using my debit card.

Is IDD currently available in Thailand?

My SSA address is my Thai address so that is no issue. What I don't want is to go to the bank every month to access the funds.

It is my understanding that BKK Bank is the only bank that has that requirement.

Using SCB should not be an issue.

Thanks everyone for your input..

9 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

Transferwise has raised their fees only once to my knowledge, I still consider them to be my best alternative, fast transfer and good exchange rates, I've never had a problem with them and all my transfers show FTT now that they have 'reason for transfer' as 'requirement for Thailand expenses'

TW increased their fees 3 times last year. In addition, they have always matched the XE conversion rate. They are now below FX. 

I have no issue with TW. If I can transfer direct to a Thai bank at a lower cost seems to make more sense.

30 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I think many do it, but I never would.

 

Ditto.. Why??

I am thinking about having my SSA direct deposited to my SCB account here in Thailand.

I am wondering if anyone is currently doing a DD to SCB and if there is any downside?

I have been using TransferWise, but they keep raising fees and discounting conversion rates.

Looks like SCB will charge a max of B500.

Go directly to Apple. I'm sure they will accommodate you.

30.10 this morning..

2 hours ago, Janner1 said:

That maybe so But it is too late if you do it and suddenly they show interest !!

I have been doing this for years. Why would any bank care??? 

Yes it should show FTT which is a transfer from a foreign source. 

No, they couldn't care less what you do with your money after that.

Coincidentally,  I did this process last week in Khon Kaen. They looked at my SSA proof of income, said it was not necessary but kept it in their file.

All they wanted was the proof of transfer of funds from my bank here in Thailand.

I had Bangkok Bank print a one year deposit statement and attach proof of bank account ownership the day before.

6 hours ago, Janner1 said:

A very good idea but a word of caution your bank may not like it so check with them first, it will give them the benefit of doubt.

 

The banks couldn't care less. 

7 minutes ago, Mbaki said:

That is a renewal of vowels not re registering the same marriage, 

Where does it say anything about renewing vows?

You can marry the same person in every state and every country. You just can't be married to two or more different people at the same time.

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Is that on a special account or is that also for the savings account they set up for falang?

No special account required. Just go to the bank and ask for a MC.

10 minutes ago, steve187 said:

you can only get married once to the same person, unless you divorce first

I doubt that.  According to Google...

You can marry the same person in every state and every country. You just can't be married to two or more different people at the same time.

14 hours ago, BenCrew said:

I asked Bangkok Bank to replace my old card, for the sole reason of booking flights home.

The 'Be 1st Smart' card is the one they gave me, it's not like I had options. ????

You do have an option. BKK Bank also has a Mastercard for an additional B100.

22 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

No need to show 400k baht in the bank to apply for a single entry or multiple entry non-o visa at the embassy in Washington DC or the consulates in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. The multiple entry visa requires leaving the country every 90 days for a new entry.

You only need to show $700 in the bank to meet the equivalent of 20k baht requirement for all visa applications. See: https://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-visa-category-o/

You can also apply for the single entry non-o at one of the honorary consulates in person. https://thaiembdc.org/royal-thai-honorary-consulates-general-in-the-u-s/

To apply for the one year extension of stay you will need to to register your US marriage at a Amphoe to obtain a Kor Ror 22 marriage registry required by immigration. You will need to have your marriage certificate legalized, translated to Thai and Certified by the Department of Consular Affairs of the MFA in Bangkok.

You can do a affidavit at the US embassy to self certify your marriage certificate or do it the legalization before your arrival here.

Procedures for US is here. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-your-document/office-of-authentications.html

 

 

Perhaps you can just get married again here in Thailand and not have to jump through hoops to register your US marriage. 

On 12/25/2019 at 6:00 AM, thaitot said:

Ezzra I completely understand the Thai way, again I did not just Mary a bar girl yesterday and am just now being told I will be building a new house in Issan. I am just trying to understand is this like a loan shark situation where they just put so much pressure on you that you will find the money. I guess what are they holding over his head to force him to pay.  

If he has a bank loan and defaults, the bank will repo the truck and come after him for the full balance due. 

His credit will be trashed  as well.

19 hours ago, Khon Kaen Jeff said:

Mild sore throat

Mild headache

Pretty bad cough

General weakness/dizziness

There is a good clinic across from Khon Kaen Hospital.  Good Dr. Open evenings

3 hours ago, SailingHome said:

Misunderstanding. Wells fargo will not do any type of international SWIFT and you must go into the bank to do a SWIFT.  Told me applies to all types of transfers not just SWIFT. 

 

OK. I will test Transferwise with $50 then go to BKKB and ask if it shows as international. Can you please repeat how to send to my branch instead of NYC? I do not see it in Transferwise."Funds for Long Term Stay" is the secret. I understand now.

 

 

FYI: Not harsh at all. THIS directness is what I needed. I trust TV members far more than operators of phone banks.

 

Download the BKK App it will show you all transfers and if they are logged as Intl.