ThaiSpaceNeedle

On 8/15/2024 at 7:52 AM, ricklev said:

I am happy to report that my self-employment income in Thailand did give me the 3 credits to qualify for Social Security and Medicare.  It took about 2-3 months after the IRS processed my return, I think.   

You have the 40 work credits you need to receive benefits!

 

 

 

 

 

This includes credits not yet reported on your earnings record from last year and this year if you continued to work.

You earned $5,245 in 2023. Is this correct?

Nice. I hope to receive mine next year. Thanks.

Parking Toys is great for live music.

I've been using an HP computer purchased at JIB Fashion Island branch in Bangkok for about 4 years and haven't had any problems. Good service and price. The wife bought a second monitor at the same location and brought it to Korat. The monitor had some problems, and she was able to bring it to a JIB branch in Korat to get the repairs at no cost.

On 6/20/2024 at 11:39 AM, ricklev said:

So I am 64 and lack 3 social security credits.  I've been living in Thailand for 25 years.  This year I declared and paid self-employment tax on $5500 to hopefully pick up those 3 credits. 

 

Has anyone else done that?  I am curious how long it takes for social security and therefore Medicare to credit the quarters.  

 

I mailed in my return and it was received a month ago but I don't think it has been processed yet. 

 

 

Hello again ricklev,

When you declared the $5,500, was it self-employment work on Schedule SE? If so, did you need to provide any additional documentation to prove the source of income (receipts, pay stubes, etc.)? I used TaxSlayer online to prepare my return, but I did not see anywhere asking for additional paperwork, though I have evidence through weekly PayPal deposits. I don't think this matters, but I am 'married filing-separately' (Thai wife), and I need to mail in my return by post as my wife does not have a SSN. Also, I just checked my SSA account, and it still says I am at 37 credits, but it says 'not yet recorded' for my earnings in 2023. Hopefully, that will change in the near future. Thanks in advance for the information.

On 6/22/2024 at 8:46 PM, gamb00ler said:

The only circumstances where SSA has a "substantial earnings" requirement is for reducing the impact of the WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) on a person's retirement benefit.  A very small percentage of those receiving SSA benefits are impacted by WEP.... unfortunately I'm one of them.

 

To earn a single credit for 2024 requires income of $1,730.  That figure rises every year... it was $1,640 for 2023.  I earned 1 credit in 2020 on income of just over $1,700 which was the year COVID shutdowns led to my retirement.

Hello gamb00ler,

I hope you don't mind a question or two, and feel free to respond at your convenience. When you earned 1 credit in 2020 from just over $1,700, was it self-employment work on Schedule SE? If so, did you need to provide any additional documentation to prove the source of income (receipts, pay stubes, etc.)? I have been trying to gain 3 more credits from self-employment work (Schedule SE). I used TaxSlayer online to prepare my return, but I did not see anywhere asking for additional paperwork, and I did not receive a credit last year from a couple thousand dollars income. I don't think this matters, but I am 'married filing-separately' (Thai wife), and I need to mail in my return by post as my wife does not have a SSN. Thanks in advance for the information.

OP, I am in a similar situation. 52 years old, in Thailand about 27 years, & short 3 credits. I tried paying tax on about $2,500 of self-employment income last year and did NOT receive a credit. I checked online. This year, I bumped it up to about $4,000 and they received my check, but I haven't seen any additional credits yet. I will check again in a month or so and will be following this post in hopes of good news.

2 hours ago, Presnock said:

For THAISPACENEEDLE - I did a transfer of stamps from old to new in February - but it was in CM so not sure if the procedures will be exactly the same  There is also an immigration for for transfer of stamps from old to new passport - print that out too,.  In addition, my 90-day report was due on the date I went for the stamp transfer as I didn't get through the online for that purpose.  In CM anyway fist of all they sent me to the TM.30 office (5 minutes for a new TM.30 for the new passport) then to the walk-in 90-day window (2 minutes) with the 90-day report with the old passport information and they gave me a neww 90-day report that was later stapled into my new passport. THen they sent me to window 2 which is for stamp transfers - no chargesl on this visit which lasted about 70 minutes total.  I realize that not all Immigration offices always do the exact same procedures so if you prepare everything in advance, all they will do is trash what they don't want but it might save you some time if you do everything I had to do - I had prepared everything in advance with the tm47 form done twice, once with the new data and once with the old data (this is theone they used).  Good luck

Thanks a lot for the information.

2 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

When I got a new Passport (US) about 8 years ago, the passport number also changed. Does this still occur? If that's the case, then you will need to update all the places that are linked to the old number (bank accounts, maybe sim cards, etc.)

Thanks for the heads up. Yes, the number changes.

5 hours ago, howerde said:

I transferred my stamp to a new passport last August at CW, and was given a hard time by the female IO, you need to fill in the form (visa transfer) number 22 from here. https://www.immigration.go.th/?page_id=3202

copies of both passports i had all my pages copied  in the old passport that was enough to get a ticket to queue for the transfer,

When it was my turn the IO wanted in addition to the above last 90 day report, bank letter with statement dated that day copy of bank book, the TM30 showing my address, which i did not have so had to go downstairs to get it printed off. none of this should have been needed, expect the unexpected, hopefully yours will go smoother

 

To be safe i would take all of the above, but only show the completed form and passport copies to start, then if you get the wrong IO you will have the other docs

 

PS  i was going to do my 90 day report as well, but after 5 hours, was not going to wait any longer, i did wonder if you now have a new passport so new number would they want to see a new TM30 with the new passport number

Thanks for the information. It's very helpful. I should be able to get all of those documents prepared. Maybe it will be best to take care of my 90-day first and then the passports. The wife cannot go this trip, so hopefully no issues with the TM30. Thanks again.

Hello all,

I hope you are all staying fairly cool in this heat. 🙂

I just received my new USA Passport in the mail and will be going to the Govt. Complex Immigration @ CW next week to link the new with the old and was wondering if I should be expecting any surprises.

1. My marriage extension is not up until June 2024, so I understand nothing needs to be done with that. My wife doesn't need to go to link the 2 passports, does she?

2. I will print all of the pages from my old passport (color or black & white - does it matter?).

3. I don't see anything on the immigration website about having to make a 'queue online' appointment. I can just walk in, right?

4. Does anything need to be done about my TM.30? The house is in the wife's name & I have a 30-year lease if that matters. Does she need to make a new TM.30 with my new passport?

5. Am I forgetting anything?

I also printed out that 'Notification of cessation linkage letter' from the USA Embassy. I haven't had an entry/departure card for some time now, so I'm guessing nothing needs to be done there.

* A little off topic but....

My '90-Day Notification' (TM.47) was up on February 16, as I entered (with re-entry permit) on November 18, 2023. I sent that in by post at the end of January, but I have still not received it back. This is the first time I have not received it within a month (aside of The Great Flood & Protests), so I'm not exactly sure what to do. I still have my receipt of registered mail from the post office as well as a printout of proof that it was received at the Govt. Complex already. I called the immigration hotline 1178, and the girl basically said to just come in with my passport and they will take care of it. She wasn't sure if I would be 'fined' as she said it was up to the officer. Do I need to prepare anything else special for this?

Finally, I am hoping to take care of both my new/old passports as well as my 90-day issue on the same day. Should I do one before the other, or does it not matter?

Thank you all for your time and helpful information & take care.

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Sorry but have you changed your name since last renewal? Seems from your post you have not.

 

If not, it does not apply to you, as it is not applicable.

 

 

Thanks a lot for the help, and I have not changed my name. 

2 hours ago, kidneyw said:

Think this only applies if you are a female who has changed your name.

Great. Thanks for the information.

Hello all.

It's time to renew my passport and I think I understand most everything, but have a question about: "An original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order (if applicable, to document your name change) & one clear photocopy"

I have a Thai wife and don't remember this part last renewal, but either way, 1. Does this mean the colorful marriage paper (bai samkan gan samrote) that the wife laminated OR the other mainly black & white one (bai tabien samrote)? and 2. My wife would let my passport expire before she would allow me to send the original, so where/how can I get the "certified copy"?

Thanks for the help and I wish you all well.

This is how I read it the first time..."Recently, Thailand announced it will send 120,000 AstraZeneca doses to Thailand." 555

"The police are now coordinating with international agencies in pursuit of the arrest."

Best joke I've heard all week. God, I wish I could hear that conversation...

I don't like my house mortgage & car payments. Can we all protest so I don't have to pay them?

I understand you can renew up to 1 year after expiration without having to retest. I also understand the police are allowing expired licenses because of the situation. I just went through 6 months of trying to figure this <deleted> out and I finally got an appointment. This might be completely different for you as I'm in Bangkok & doing 5 year-5 year license, but this is what I did.

Got the Certificate of Residence (good for 6 months) & heath check-up (good for 1 month / I actually had to do a new one as the first one expired after a closure a couple of months back). I made probably a million phone calls until was able to contact a real person that had some information. This is who I contacted:

Bangkok Area 4:
102/11 Liabwaree Road
Kokpad NongJork
Bangkok 10530
tel: 02-543-2010 to 12 (UPDATE # 02-543-5500)

They told me every DLT branch has a different policy & they are open & I have to go there & give them my paperwork to make an appointment. I went there at the beginning of July & got an appointment for the end of August. I was advised to watch the video online before my appointment (www.dlt-elearning.com). You have to take a picture after watching the video. If I don't watch the video online, I can at the DLT on the day of the appointment. On the day of my appointment, I understand I do the eye test, take my picture, etc. & get my new license within a couple of hours.

It wouldn't surprise me if it closes again, if it already hasn't, but I understand with my little appointment date, my paperwork won't expire & there should be no problem on the streets, not that I'm out driving around town now anyway.

Try that number & branch, it's the only luck I had.

Good luck!

1 minute ago, skatewash said:

Seeing the latest post from ubonJoe I guess I should be saying I'm here on extensions of stay based on a Non-ED visa, then. ????  It is interesting that I seem to be required to follow the financial/health insurance requirements of a Non-O visa/extension for purposes of retirement.  I didn't know that was possible being on extensions derived from an Non-ED visa, but I guess it must be as I've been doing it for about seven years.

Yeah, I had always heard that visa type can only be changed abroad. I guess that after you enter the country, the visa doesn't really matter much anymore (except in the case of this new vaccination site), but what matters more is the purpose of extension.

About your case, I also thought that there were a couple of different "retirement" visas/extensions (O vs O-A?) and that some didn't require the health insurance if you're already in the country on a different visa type. Any information on this? I'm almost at that retirement age and you never know what can happen to a marriage. ????

Thanks

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You are still on a non-b visa. The stamp on the right might an error and ahsoul be a non-re instead of RG. A non-re is a re-entry permit

Thank you. I ask because it's needed for the new vaccine registration site. So I'm Non-B with extensions for the purpose of marriage, right? Can visa types be (legally) changed inside the country, or must it be done abroad? Thanks again.

11 hours ago, BritTim said:

You had a visa to enter Thailand in 1997. That visa was used when you entered Thailand, and mostly subsequently of no further significance. What was important is that you received a permission to stay on a Non Immigrant visa. You subsequently received extensions of your Non Immigrant permission to stay, initially extensions based on working and later extensions based on marriage. Each time you left and re-entered Thailand, you had a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay intact. That eliminated the need for you to apply for a visa before your return.

Thanks. I always just write Non-Imm on paperwork when it's needed, but the new vaccine registration site asks for the specific visa type. That's why I was asking.

20 minutes ago, skatewash said:

You've only had one visa obtained from outside Thailand, Non-B with which you entered Thailand.  Thereafter you purchased a Re-Entry permit with which you re-entered Thailand (the Non-RE on the visa class for the entry stamps).  I believe the Non-RG is a typo and was meant to read Non-RE.  At some point you applied for a Non-O visa inside of Thailand for purpose of marriage.  You have extended that annually and when you have left Thailand you would have purchased a re-entry permit.  Your entries to Thailand should show the visa class of Non-RE, meaning you are entering on a re-entry permit.  So you are currently on an extension of a Non-O visa for purpose of marriage obtained from inside Thailand.  That's my best guess.

Thanks for the information. That makes sense as I understood Non-O = marriage. I just thought that you had to apply for different visa types outside of the country.  Thanks again! 

Hi all. I've been here a long time, so I know I should know this, but I'm a little confused.

Backstory: American citizen arrived in Thailand in 1997 after applying for a visa at the Thai consulate in Vancouver, BC (closest to home in USA). I had a contract with a company & received a Non-B and had a work permit until about 2010. I then left the company and changed to marriage extension at CW as I have a Thai wife. If I understand correctly, Non-B is for Business & Non-O is marriage (but must be applied for & received at a Thai consulate abroad). Does this mean I still have a Non-B visa, but it is being extended for the purpose of a Thai Wife?

Another thing: When I last renewed my passport in 2015, that first "transfer" page says Non-B on the left & Non-RG on the right (SEE PHOTO). What is Non-RG? I googled it and found someone else's entry from a few years back with ubonjoe's response :

22 hours ago, SooKee said:

 

I got the email, booked in case online isn't working by the the time mine's due, but I need a residence certificate for driving licence renewal (provided DLTs stay open) too so may end up going anyway, particularly as it seems after making a report with a new passport some seem to be unable to use Online.  I didn't get any SMS though, didn't with my last appointment there either.

 

Where are you doing your driver's license? I still can't get anyone on the phone at the headquarters in Bangkok (Mochit), but DLT Area 4 said starting July 1st, they are only accepting people who had reservations back in April. Others will have to wait until August to make a new reservation. And she said she assumes foreigners will be included. I did a residence certificate & medical check in April before they closed, and I was guessing they would both be useless and expired now, but I went to the driving school (UPD) up the street and they called area 4 & said the certificate was still ok to use but I need a new medical check. If anyone has confirmed information on Bangkok, please let me know. Thanks.

23 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is for those on permanent residency. Note is also says endorsement that is only for them as well.

It actually says endosement, but official government spelling could be another thread. :)

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

The OP may have to check locally or just wait it out. I would recommend the latter.

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced it is suspending driver training and drivers license testing across the country from April 16th onward in an effort to stifle the spread of COVID-19, but will continue extending licenses that don’t require testing and will allow expired licenses to be used until June 30.

 

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG210415170214245

 

YMMV

TiT

I had a different experience yesterday, April 16th.

I received my resident certificate on April 10th after filing it on March 29th at MTT. I did my medical certificate on April 13th, prepared all of my papers, and was hoping to renew my 5-year license on April 16th, if they were open.

I received and have renewed my license at the DLT headquarters at Chatuchak two times, but was going to try a smaller DLT in the vicinity of where I live, I believe it is DLT #4.

I called to see if they were open yesterday and they said they were open but not accepting driver's license renewals for foreigners and that I could use my license until the end of June and they weren't sure when they would be accepting foreigners again. I explained that I've always watched the training video in Thai language and it seemed like she went to go ask her manager or something, but still got the same response, they're not accepting foreigners now.

I also asked her about my resident certificate and medical certificate, if I would be able to use them in the future, or if they would expire. Of course, she said she didn't know and I would have to wait until the end of June. I plan to call Chatuchak DLT on Monday to see if I get a different answer, which is very possible.

My guess is on July 1st, thousands of people will be going to the DLT, just like that Covid extension at immigration. If anyone has any other information or ideas, please let me know as well.

I hope you are all staying healthy and had a good Songkran break. Take care.