Presnock

On 12/4/2023 at 2:10 PM, billd766 said:

Will YOU be the first to volunteer to go to a war that nobody wants, and put YOUR body in harms way?

 

Or are you happy enough to be a keyboard warrior and let others stop the bullets instead of you?

When I left high school in '64, joined the military in June, then Gulf of Tonkin, so instead of computers which

I didn't have an idea what they were, the military decided I would be a Vietnamese Linguist and I spent most of 3 years 

in that area including 2 within VN 66-69.  When the country called, I went without a complaint.  Would do it again if I

thought it would make a difference and that the military wouldn't be ignored by the politicians, most of them have

never been anywhere near combat nor do they plan to do it themselves.  Other high ranking politicians let their children

join the military but keep them away from the bad areas.

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

i would go to a hospital or eye clinic, not worth guessing with an eye issue, after a few days anyway

Yeah I used to get them due to the air pollution and running on sidewalks next to busy roads.  After the 2nd or third time I went to the

hospital and the doctor informed me that the eyelid had several tiny infections close together.  After some drops in the eye, she cut

out the infections and told me to keep the bandage on for a few hours.  That was ove 10 years ago and after that treatment I haven't had

any more problems with the eye infections.  Like above, for eyes, best to have a doctor look at it.

15 hours ago, Geir Rasch said:

Everybody that make enough money pay tax to the country they live in. We, as expats, also pay tax to our country of origin. This is the way it must be. How much money you spend on other things is irrelevant to tax.

I agree, any earned income here in Thailand should pay income tax.  My money was earned over 40 years working in other countries but I paid the income tax to the USA.  Now I get a pension from the USA govt and they tax that money too.  They have a DTA with Thailand and if Thailand decides to tax my pension then the US govt will pay me back those funds paid to the Thais.  What do you think a Double tax avoidance agreement between governments means?

15 hours ago, noobexpat said:

 

As ever, wrong.

People not understanding the fundamental purpose of a DTA.

 

I also realize that tghe host country (where one has 180+days of residence) IAW the DTA can charge income taxes - therefore at least the USA reimburses those taxes paid to the host govt.

31 minutes ago, Geir Rasch said:

You asked in a post about being offended or insulted by being told to pay tax to Thailand. I wonder, how can one be offended or insulted when told to pay tax to the country you live in? I understand there is no profit for you paying tax to Thailand, only extra paperwork, but you live here by your own free will. Do you feel yourself so important to Thailand that it is insulting to ask you to pay tax?

yes, if I didn't already pay tax on all that I receive (already paid tax when I originally earned it)  and to avoid making people pay double tax, the sole purpose of the 59 countries that signed such an agreement with Thailand.  If I was "earning" any income here I would gladly pay a tax on that money.  I spend over 3 million baht per year here in Thailand, including tuition for schools from middle school through college.  I paid for my house including taxes and for the yearly muban fee.

As a US cit, I worked overseas for many years, had several houses which an agent took care of.  Great renters paying for my houses but after I retired, I sold all because I was a resident of Maryland, a state that charged a fairly high state tax on any pension, property taxes, etc and even if I went back, then they would claim that since I returned to MD, I should pay state taxes  for those years gone so I sold everything or gave it to my family there so, if I was to decide to leave Thailand (very doubtful) then I sure wouldn't ever return to MD and that is why I got rid of everything tying me to that state.  Agents are

okay sometimes which we learned over the years and finally had one that took care of our property the same as if we were there but not having to even

think about storms there or other problems, makes it much easier and glad that I got rid of everything.

1 hour ago, keith101 said:

Looked through the new tax laws and Pensions are exempt for now anyway

Even though if they were not exempt, I as a US citizen would be reimbursed for any amount taken out by the Thais, just the additional hassle of having to do the added paper work would just be another unneeded reason for some to leave.  There is not much that the Thais could alter in the immigration status that would drive me out but, who knows just how far they might go for the chance at another baht/dollar.  Anxious to listen to the 15 Dec presentation of the Thai American Chamber of Commerce to see if anyone has the final plan coming out in Jan.

2 minutes ago, Presnock said:

There are other monies that are considered earned income - read the definition of same.  Or to a US govt webb site and ask what is included in "earned" income.  Easy to find and understand.

Also some pensions are considered earned income, federal pensions not so.

8 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Earned income is a category, not a single item where money is earned through employment.

There are other monies that are considered earned income - read the definition of same.  Or to a US govt webb site and ask what is included in "earned" income.  Easy to find and understand.

5 hours ago, Geir Rasch said:

Why all this worry about thai tax. If your home country have a tax treaty with Thailand you should not worry. Tax treaties is to avoid double tax. Following the rules your total tax will not increase, for many it will reduce.

how can it reduce? tax office in home country will only reimburse that money taken by the Thais

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Do you collect a pension ?

 

If yes..... thats an income.

you need to read the definition of "earned" income.  A US govt pension is not considered earned income.  The Tax agreement says that Thailand could still tax me too but that the US IRS would then adjust my US tax bill for the same amount taken by the Thais.  Only the hassle of filing that crap, no loss of money.

28 minutes ago, khunPer said:

If your home country has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Thailand, you are most likely not taxed on your already taxed retirement pension from your home country. However, if your home country's income taxation is lower that Thailand's and retirement pensions can be taxed in both states – read your DTA – you might need to pay the difference.

By the way: I would love to pay income tax of my retirement pension in Thailand, instead of my home country...

no matter what, from the USA anything taxed by the Thais  on retirement pension will only lower your USA tax bill for that year or reading the tax laws, could lower your tax the following year.  You still have to pay one or the other and don't have a choice on the USA portion of your pension.

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

In the UK, the pension is classed as income (I suspect the same in most countries) and is taxed accordingly.

How exactly can/would "Thainess" come up with a different meaning ?

 

FWIW income from abroad was always supposed to be taxed, this is not a new thing "Thainess" has come up with.

 

However tax was only applicable if it was earnt in the same year it was brought into Thailand.

 

again, so far the only written thing I understand is "earned income" - as a holder of a retirement O, I can't work or receive any benefits for doing anythinig here...no wages, salaries or other "earned" benefits. so I am not worried what 1 Jan will bring.  ButTIT and they can change their interpretation of any agreement made by former governments.

10 minutes ago, BusyB said:

 

The THB120,000 threshold m u s t affect almost anyone on a Non-O (+ extension), or similar, who spends 180 days a year in country. That, unless they can prove dual taxation agreements with their home country.

 

120,000/12 = 10,000 = $281.00/month

 

There is no one not begging on the streets who is living in Thailand on less than 281 dollars a month for 180 days or more. Not even in Pattaya behind a 7-11.

10 minutes ago, BusyB said:

 

The THB120,000 threshold m u s t affect almost anyone on a Non-O (+ extension), or similar, who spends 180 days a year in country. That, unless they can prove dual taxation agreements with their home country.

 

120,000/12 = 10,000 = $281.00/month

 

There is no one not begging on the streets who is living in Thailand on less than 281 dollars a month for 180 days or more. Not even in Pattaya behind a 7-11.

Not to start any problems but as it says in the above "earned" income...most retirees are here on a pension and a retirement visa person is not allowed to work to earn a salary or benefits of any kind.

17 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

When my wife went to work on the local AFB, she attended an orientation session, and the question was asked 'why do you want to work here'

 

She answered to 'send money to help family'

 

I already got that, and to this day she still sends money back to Thailand every month,.

 

But I wonder how many farang husbands don't get that this is a big thing in their culture

I do blv that is the same custom in most poor countries.

Just now, Prubangboy said:

It's a mean ol' world and the Con side is doing a very good job of winning, despite a huge demographic disadvantage. Respect.

 

Someone told (Saint) Obama that he needed to talk tougher. Replied O: "Nah, what I needed was more votes".

 

 

Yeah, check out O and his stand on Iran - now the world is going to pay for it.  Just ike little rocket man or a cockroach, if you don't stomp on it immediately, millions more will follow that original one.

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

You think Thai's are moron and do not know what is and what isn't income ?

 

Thailand might not be the place for you methinks.

 

Or maybe it is you that is struggling with what is and what isn't income.

 

Well, the problem is not that they claim a different meaning, it is the "Thainess" of the meaning for the tax law that THEY are writing.  And that should still be "earned" income which means something entirely different to them and us maybe.

1 minute ago, Prubangboy said:

Nah, people don't want to pay for non-nationals, in every place in the world. It's a human nature kind of thing.

 

Just like Thai people don't want to pay for your share of infrastructure and government service usage.

 

Yes, it's nice that you stuck $22K in a bank account (assuming you even did, and didn't use an agent).

 

But what have you done for them lately?

 

I do believe that the first comment about paying for immigrants is the western-world problem today and that is why the far-right politicians are enjoying a better ride in elections.  You sure don't see the folks from countries ruled by autocrats mentioning this problem do you?

6 minutes ago, Fr87 said:

 

Then they don't differentiate. It's all just income.

 

The point I'd made earlier with pension income is that in most cases the person will be filing taxes in home country as thresholds so low. Even if you combine super low pension with investments you gotta hit the taxable level - therefore, gotta file. Issue is moot.

 

In most cases in US: social security is taxable as most pension income at federal level.

Also, many of the states in the US also tax both SS and govt/mil pensions!

1 minute ago, Surasak said:

Savings would be a good guess!

Agents too enable those without sufficient funds from what I see on this forum.

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Income is the key word... that is what is being taxed.

 

You do understand this, Yes or No ?

yes your English language understanding is co

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Income is the key word... that is what is being taxed.

 

You do understand this, Yes or No ?

5 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Income is the key word... that is what is being taxed.

 

You do understand this, Yes or No ?

Yes you understand the meaning that English-language word -  but those who are deciding the taxes, are Thai and they may translate to something totally alien to us.  Wait until Jan to find out for sure.

1 hour ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

If I was some pi yai in government reading this thread I would be more than satisfied that we were over the target. A previous poster who said their wife would go back to voting for the junta has a naive faith that they would reverse the direction of travel. They have found a huge amount of money untaxed and easily traceable in the digital age. Governments of whatever stripe are not going to be able to resist dipping into this pool.

Exactly....look at the US govt and the SS fund - govt continues to rob it to meet obligations to enrich the richer and in just a few years, the old folks who built that fund will be the ones suffering!!!!!!! this is fact!