Presnock

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.

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.

In mid November, I decided to renew my US passport which was due to expire in May 2024. Went on the embassy website, filled out the necessary documents, and forwarded everything including current passport to the Consular section of the US embassy. Today 9 December, I received my new (and old cancelled passports. Much better than the predicted 6-8 weeks from start to receipt of new passport. Thank you consular section and State Dept.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

yes your English language understanding is co 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.

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!

Thais do have it rought (some of them) if you notice the news today, poor working stiffs here will be getting 330-370 baht a DAY - I really don't see how they can survive - oh yeah recently another news article said that soon the population of Thailand could be 33 million citizens as opposed to today's number of 66 million citizens because folks are having fewer children - that is probably because they can't afford them! This is a great place for many ex-pats, I love it, immigration requirements are considerably easier now that years ago for sure. Cost is still a lot better than at home. My opinion anyway.

Those immigrants you cited are also not getting pensions from previous work. I for one, not a democrat or Republican but realize that the US cannot survive with OPEN borders. Right now the estimate is over 12 million illegals and more pouring in daily. With the limited immigration courts, that gives them years to run around the US (no 90-day or TM-30 reports). I am against all the freebies that cause local taxes (especially noticable in Dem controlled states/cities) have to be increased monthly just to give it to these immigrants. My opinion anywayu.

as it has been mentioned since the beginning of this tax issue, none of us actually knows definitively what the Thai tax folks are going to do come 1 January. On 15 Dec, the Thai American Chamber of Commerce will be holding a ZOOM question and answer about the upcoming tax issue and reportedly will have Thai tax folks there. It is a free link that has also been provided recently and works for me a retired American drawing a pension from the US Govt. I will be listening to the questions and answers on 15 Dec and will then provide immediately thereafter, any pertinent information that they do give. If it is like everything to date, then I and you will not be any closer to the final picture but we will have what the embassy has and hopefully if it does affect our US taxes then I would hope there is some official contact between the Thai and US govt (plus some of the other 59 or so countries with a taxation agreement with Thailand will also let their ex-pats know anything official. Relax until we really know what is going on as it might not really affect most of us anyway.

Thai CHAAM will provide a broadcast from the US Embassy with tax "experts" to talk about the new tax on monies coming into Thailand by those staying more than 180 days a year.. link is free to anyone. 15 Dec. I will listen and provide anything of interest passed.

Actually, I blv that the Thailand AMerican Chamber of Commerce came to the embassy and offered to provide this informtion. That is why ThaiAMCHAM members get free and if one is employed locally and is a member, they can join the AMCHAM but the original message today on this forum provided a code so that Anyone can register free. I did so...I am retired and wrote that in the work place and I was approved for the meeting. I will pass on whatever I learn if it is actually definitive for Americans (or other nationalities since I read that there are 59 Thai-(other countries) with tax agreements. I sure don't wish to have the Thais charging me tax on my pension even though the US IRS would lower my tax rate so that I wouldn't really lose any money but I just don't want to even have an "extra" requirement to be here i.e. 90-day report although online is super easy, TM30 although not OUR requirement but immigration does require some of US to do that but again online is really easy and even the once a year long-stay reporting - immigration locally has done wonders compared to what we used to have to go through for any of these (except tm30 although old just surfaced again 5 years or so ago). Maybe the 90-day and TM-30 will go away some day in the future. All the storage for the paperwork must fill up several warehouses by now! Next week, immediately after the session with the AMCHAM folks, I will post something on this forum. Hopefully, it will be definitive and accurate as to what will occur with the taxation program.

You don't need to be employed in Thailand or anywhere. As mentioned by the originator here, if you are not a member of Thai AMCHAM, you can still register free using the code listed above. Check it out as several have okay'd "free" registration.

The free promo code was used to register so I will listen and provide whatever is pertinent for anyone. Hopefully it will be definitive so that all will be clear for all of us no matter how we live here.