JohnnyBD

Yes, agents can be helpful. I did my first 2 retirement extensions in Jomtien myself, but when I moved to Bangkok, I didn't want to deal with the long lines at CW, so I started using an agent. I also switched to marriage extensions and had the money in the bank, so all was legal. We showed up at CW, signed the papers, went into the IO's office for our pics, then left. No waiting in line. It took less than 30 mins total at CW. The agent went back to get the final stamp for me. I only made 1 trip to CW.

If your sister-in-law can't afford to leave 2,000 in her acct, then better for her to open an account at SCB or another bank that doesn't have a minimum balance requirement.

As for your situation, Kasikorn would be a a great bank to use for your yearly extensions. I used them when I was on yearly extensions.

1 hour ago, Kyoto Kyle said:

Yes, I read about the $5,000 minimum balance at K Bank, but that appears to apply to non residents.

Kasikorn told me I was a Non-Resident, but that was when I was doing yearly extensions. I'm on a LTR visa now, but I'm good with my BBL accts. Kasikorn told me they only do in-bank conversions. sammieuk1, also confirmed above that Kasikorn doesn't allow online conversions.

See Kasikorn Resident & Non-Resident qualifications below:

Residents

Non-Residents

46 minutes ago, Kyoto Kyle said:

So, just to confirm, Bangkok Bank only requires a minimum monthly balance of US $250 to avoid service charges, and that is about it?

One last question. When you said that not all bank branches will open USD accounts, but that they will have a list of the branches that do, were you referring to K Bank, Bangkok Bank, or both?

Yes, BBL only requires a minimum balance of $250 to avoid the monthly fees. I keep $300 in my acct just to be safe. They send me a monthly notice in the mail showing my avg. monthly balance, with a warning not to go below $250.

Same for both banks. Some smaller branches cannot open USD accts. Kasikorn has a list of branches on their website that can open USD accts. For example, I opened my BBL THB acct at the Sukhumvit 45 branch in Bangkok, but they couldn't open a USD acct. They gave me a list of branches that could open USD accts. I opened mine at the Phrom Phong Emporium mall branch.

Something else to ask about. I was able to set up my accts using their web-based banking in 2024 when I opened my BBL accts, but when my wife opened her USD acct a few months ago, the staff told her they didn't allow new accts to be set up with web-based banking. So, she can only use her phone app to view & make USD conversions. That's ok for her, but I prefer to download my transaction history on my laptop to use for my FBAR reporting.

6 hours ago, Kyoto Kyle said:

Thanks for the helpful information. I had forgotten about the $250 minimum required to avoid the monthly fee, but that would be fine.

That said, based on what you explained, I do not think I will reopen an FCD account with SCB. Also, Bangkok Bank has been getting quite a bit of negative press recently, so I would rather not take the risk of doing any banking with them right now.

I believe KBank offers a similar USD FCD account that can be linked to their banking app, much like Bangkok Bank. Did you happen to look into KBank at all? I would not mind opening an account with them if they offer a similar setup.

Also, I think all these banks charge a variable fee of between $10-$25 on incoming USD bank wires, depending on the amount of the transfer.

I had a Kasikorn THB acct before which I used for my yearly extensions. They had web-based & app-based banking. When I asked about a USD acct, the staff told me I had to come into the bank to convert from a USD acct to THB acct. Also, the minimum balance was $5,000 to avoid the monthly fees. Bangkok Bank was the only bank I found that had web-based & app-based banking which allows me to convert USD to THB online. I had Citibank TH from 2016 to 2024, and they were the best for converting USD to THB online 24/7, but they were bouight by UOB, and UOB doesn't allow online conversions. I never had a problem with Bangkok Bank so far, but I don't use them for yearly extensions. Incoming fees vary, but Bangkok Bank is the cheapest; min 200 baht to max 500 baht (USD x .0025)

Just a tip: not all bank branches will open USD accts, they will have a list of the ones that do.

See snippet below of Kasikorn USD FCD acct details.

2 hours ago, Kyoto Kyle said:

I am wondering if anyone has recent experience with US dollar foreign currency deposit accounts at SCB.

I had one several years ago, but I closed it because it was quite inconvenient. Whenever I wanted to transfer US dollars into one of my Thai baht accounts at SCB, I had to go to the branch in person, withdraw the funds, exchange them to baht, and then deposit the baht into my SCB savings account. Three steps.

Recently, I noticed that SCB offers electronic FCD accounts called eFCD. These seem much more convenient since they are linked to the SCB Easy app, allowing exchange and transfers between accounts directly through online banking. However, it appears that these are only available to Thai citizens.

So my question is: are the standard passbook USD FCD accounts now linked to SCB online banking also, or do they still require visiting a branch with the passbook to withdraw and convert funds into Thai baht?

I understand that SCB FCD accounts have no minimum balance requirement, which is appealing. I am hoping that the process may have improved and that it is now possible to manage the account more easily through online banking. If so, I would reopen a USD FCD account at SCB.

Any recent insights would be appreciated.

I just recently closed my SCB USD acct. I could not do conversions with the app. I still had to go into the bank and get them to convert from my USD acct to my THB acct. I asked many times if they could set my USD acct up on the app, but they said it was not possible.There was a minimum balance requirement of $250 to avoid the monthly fee. I opened USD acct at Bangkok Bank. I can use the phone app to convert USD acct to my THB acct without going into the bank. They have a $250 minimum balance requirement also.

1 hour ago, treetops said:

No they don't.

If you combine this with a no foreign currency transaction fee a counter withdrawal is one of the best ways for visitors to get Thai money.

Just curious. Do you make cash counter withdrawals with a foreign bank credit card or foreign bank debit card? Does your foreign bank charge a transaction fee when you get cash on your credit card in Thailand? If not, which foreign bank do you use?

The reason I ask, all my foreign bank credit cards from Capital One, Chase, Citibank, Bank of America & Barclays all charge transaction fees for cash advances. I never tried getting cash from a Thai bank counter, so I don't if my banks would charge any fees or not. I just thought cash counter withdrawals and cash advances were the same thing.

There is no fee for filing FBAR. I've done it yearly since 2016. You may owe a penalty for some reason. Look to see if there's a phone number you can call to ask them about it. Good luck.

Most bank-issued credit cards have cash advance fees. Some credit union-issued credit cards offer no cash advance fees, but they usually start charging interest when the cash advance is made.

I just use my Chase Bank debit card to get cash. It has no transaction fees, and Chase reimburses the 250 baht ATM fee.

59 minutes ago, Bredbury Blue said:

SCB told me that the uk state pension payment originates from Citibank in USA, it is transferred to Citibank Thailand, who transfer it to your SCB account.

Just so everyone knows, Citibank Thailand was bought by UOB, and all Citibank TH accounts (mine included) were transferred over to UOB Thailand on April 19, 2024.

7 minutes ago, Presnock said:

I think your problem may be that the check would go to a US address for YOU. I thought that they indicated that they needed a bank as they were going to cease issuing checks but I could be wrong on that as I just skimmed over it since it didn't apply to my situation. I assume your wife has an ITIN but I really think it has to do with our mailing address as that is how they consider where on resides "officially" but this is all IMHO only as I have never had any problems, just got my wife an ITIN after marriage and filed jointly with our Thai address.

I think they just changed the Free File Fillable Forms online filing, so if somone checks the box for "treating NRA spouse as US resident", one cannot use FFFF filing anymore. I decided to mail my return this time and submit another NRA spouse declaration even though it was not required. I have a small refund, so I included my bank information for direct deposit. My wife got her ITIN when we filed our first joint return in 2017 with our original NRA spouse declaration. We filed online successfully using the IRS FFFF program from 2020 to 2024. This is the first year that we had a problem filing with IRS FFFF program because they added the check box on the 1040 for "treating NRA spouse as US resident".

It's not a problem for me. I already mailed my tax return in. I will try again next year, and if I cannot file with IRS FFFF program, I will use an online tax service.

Thanks for the discussion...

9 minutes ago, Presnock said:

So, I take it that your house and spouse's abode was in the US for more than half the year since she is treated as you claim on your taxes unless I am obviously missing something.

No, we live in Thailand. I left the box blank "on living in US more than half the year" and I also tried by checking it, but the FFFF system didn't let me file in either case. I got the same rejection. I use my US mailing address on my tax return because that's where I want my mail to go.

Did you check the box for treating your nonresident alien spouse as a US resident? According to the rules, once the NRA spouse declaration is made on the first joint tax filing, it doesn't have to be made again. I never had to submit another declaration from 2018 thru 2023 when filing online. They just messed up the FFFF for me. I just need to switch to another online tax filing service for next year.

2 minutes ago, Presnock said:

good luck..yeah I wasn't able to use the free IRS electronic file either but e-file has been great so far.

Below is the rejection notice I received when trying to use the Free File Fillable Forms online.

4 hours ago, Presnock said:

e-file will enable you to quickly do your taxes online, I have done so with them for 4 years, the last two my refund was deposited by the IRS in less than two weeks after I filed! that

is "e-file.com" if interested.

44 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

Are you using the IRS Free File or the IRS Free File Fillable Forms program? I use the Free File Fillable Forms. I can't use the IRS Free File.

Thanks. I see that you used "e-file.com" to file your tax return. I will give it a test try to see if it lets me file, and what it says about the NRA spouse check box. Below is the rejection notice I received when trying to use the Free File Fillable Forms online. Enough about taxes...

37 minutes ago, Presnock said:

I have heard that some folks that leave the US and don't plan to ever return I guess, claim that they do not file US taxes but if you have a US govt pension, then I think that the IRS is well aware of your status.

I agree. I have to file because all of my income is reported to the IRS with 1099s. When I first moved here, some Americans laughed at me for saying I still file US tax returns. They told me they didn't. I guess their income was below the income requirements for filing, or their income was from non-reported cash sources.

11 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Well, since I have been filing as married, with my wife having an ITIN, plus my mailing address is Thailand, the RS and e-file folks provide me with the latest IRS requirements and I never checked any box saying my wife was non-resident.. sounds to me like that would be for one filing within the US or its territories but I had no problems and received my refund in less than 2 weeks after filing. If whoever processed my 1040 and can't recognize that then I will wait to see an error filed next year.

Are you using the IRS Free File or the IRS Free File Fillable Forms program? I use the Free File Fillable Forms. I can't use the IRS Free File.

It sounds like you are not checking that new box on the 1040 for those filing joint with a nonresident alien spouse. When I checked the box, the FFFF told me to attach a NRA spouse declaration and file by mail. It appears the FFFF doesn't allow attachments anymore. Last year, when I checked the box, it let me attach my declaration.

The NRA spouse check box first appeared on the 2024 1040 tax form. The box never appeared before 2024. This year, there is also a new box to check if you have lived in the US for more than half the year. See snippet

I have been filing using the E-File online system for the past several years. My wife has an ITIN, and we use my US address.

2 hours ago, Presnock said:

e-file will enable you to quickly do your taxes online, I have done so with them for 4 years, the last two my refund was deposited by the IRS in less than two weeks after I filed! that

is "e-file.com" if interested.

I've been using thr IRS E-File online filing for the past several years, but this year the 1040 has a new check box for married filing joint with a nonresidrnt alien spouse and when the box is checked, the system requires one to attach a NRA spouse declaration to their tax return and the E-file online system would not accept any attachments, so we had to mail our tax return in. Last year, the system allowed us to attach our NRA spouse declaration, but not this year.

Just to make a few points, US social security & military pensions are not taxable in Thailand when remitted as per the US/THA DTA. You can read more about Thai income taxes on this forum (see link below).

As you probably know, US citizens are required to file US tax returns unless their income is less than the standard deductions even if they live overseas. If you wish to file as MFJ (married filing joint) to take advantage of the higher married standard deductions, you will need to attach W-7 form to your tax return to get an ITIN number for your wife, and you will need to attach a signed Declaration Statement stating that you and your wife elect to treat her (nonresident alien spouse) as a US resident for the purpose of filing joint US tax returns. We started filing joint tax returns in 2017. We had to mail in our first tax return, but we were able to file online after that. This year, the IRS Free File Fillable Forms system would not let us file online. We had to mail in our US tax return and include a newly signed Declaration Statement. There's a new check box on the 1040 tax form for nonresident alien spouses. It appears to me the IRS is tightening up on nonresident alien tax filings.

Introduction to Personal Income Tax in Thailand - Page 44 - Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments - Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I've never had a home visit. 3 years on retirement, 5 years on marriage and the last 2 years on LTR visa.

3 hours ago, rickudon said:

I use Krungsri bank to do a counter withdrawal at least once a month using my credit card. No fees (it is a Mastercard). Other banks have declined to do so or want to charge a fee. I usually take 50,000 baht a time. Never tried for more.

Just curious, what is the card-issuing bank for your Mastercard?

I have Citibank, BOA, Chase, Capital One & Barclays credit cards, and they charge foreign transaction fees for ATM withdrawals. Capital One & Barclays do not charge fees on foreign purchases. I've never tried a cash advance counter withdrawal with any of my cards, so I don't know what the fee would be. I use my Chase & Fidelity debit cards for ATM withdrawals. They have no fees, and they both refund the 250 baht ATM fee.

6 minutes ago, camper star said:

All my papers are in Japanese. I will try Express Translations. Is this the one I should go to...

https://www.expresstranslationservice.co.th/cms.php?id_cms=6&id_lang=1

What papers are you referring to that's in Japanese?

You need your US passport & "Single Status" form notarized by US embassy stating you are free to marry. Your Thai girlfiriend needs her Thai house book, her DL or passport & "Certification of Family Status" form stating she is free to marry.

The one highlighted is the one I used. You may want to download the latest list on Embassy website. My list is old.