chiang mai

I extended my anual stay visa in Chiang Mai this week, as expected there was no mention made of tax or TIN's. I was asked what the value of my pensions is, for the first time, so I gave them a low ball number.....which is what I hope others are doing also (no need to propagate the idea that all foreigners are wealthy).

The individual market stalls are a good place to buy high quality fresh vegetables at a reasonable price. Some of the musicians are also very good, free entertainment on Sunday morning in a slightly quirky environment.

English is taught in all schools, is required for any job in the medical field plus it's a country that has extensive tourism where English language is required. I believe if you try hard, as you probably understand, you can persuade many Thai's to overcome their shyness and speak some English.

"But still, it's a requirement to file tax returns - but they don't" - which is why we have not seen evidence of a fine being levied for not filing, because a majority of Thai's don't earn enough to file. BUT, resident expat foreigners are not Thai's and they earn substantially more than Thai people, even if only counting pension income and the TRD knows this very well. The same excuse for not filing doesn't carry across to foreigners.

You see, this is exactly the problem, people cannot say whatever they want, they need to think first and consider the audience, context, environment, implications and a whole host of other factors.

For Christs sake I almost agree with that.....I need a lay down. I would only add.....do a quick Gant pen and paper exercise and add up your assessable income for the year to see if it totals more than 59,999 baht because that should help your decision making a lot.

German is not the sole national language of anywhere except Germany and Austria, neither is it regarded as the global language of business. English is widely spoken globally and is the language of business.

In the case of the online system, the system is the assessment officer.

You think, you think.! The potential for you to be right on this or any other point is close to zero. I think it's going to rain tomorrow, which means zero also

You expect me to conduct happiness checks too, get real man!

We've been over the numbers that show why the majority of Thai people don't earn enough to pay taxes, numerous times. The average wage is 15k per month or 180k per year, well below the level at which taxes are due.

I posted the Bangkok Post articles telling us how many tax returns there were each year from people who didn't owe tax or claim a refund, substantial proof that millions of people file tax returns each year, just because they are over the minimum assessable income level. I posted the extract from the TRD Code telling us that tax residents must obtain a TIN within 60 days of breaching the 60k of assessable income per year, proof once again that the Revenue requires taxpayers to file once the threshold has been breached. I posted the extracts from the TRD code setting out when taxpayers must file a return, nowhere in it does it say that folks must subtract their TEDA first to see if they must file or not. I posted confirmation by a Thai law firm telling us at which point tax returns must be filed and confirming all the evidence to date. All of that evidence confirms that tax returns must be filed by tac residents in the year assessable income exceeds 60k. I posted copies of another members discussion with the TRD about the circumstances under which he must file a tax return, it matched exactly all the proof above. You have filed no proof of anything that contradict any of the above, nothing except your home grown version of common sense. Where is your proof that what you say is true and correct?

Oh I know and I will file a return next year. My concern is for some others who believe some of the gob-sh ite being spouted about not needing to file when they do.

Perhaps, but at least I can read and understand the Revenue Code and also read first hand reports from members confirming discussions with Revenue staff in Bangkok so I've got the edge over you.

You think! The point is that nobody knows, yet people claim this and that, simply because it purports to support their theories....there comes a time to put up or shut up.

Do you have statistics to confirm this?

You go there for weeks at a time, then I take you off because you start to appear normal once again, you are a veritable yo-yo. Alas there is no permanent cure it seems.

The penalty for not filing when no tax is due, is 2k Baht. The penalties for not filing when tax is due, are severe and include jail.

I keep one in reserve, just for you.

A nice attempt at a diversion but no points! What I wrote is: "Most normal people just want to know what the rules and the law are in the first place, regardless of any associated potential penalties......that's the stage we are at". Back on my ignore list go you. Bye.

A stupid response! How many people insist on understanding the risk and penalties of something before deciding whether to adhere to basic rules and law. Most normal people just want to know what the rules and the law are in the first place, regardless of any associated potential penalties......that's the stage we are at.

What you understand about this issue RW is close to zero. You have no understanding of the fact that a majority of Thai's don't earn enough to pay tax. You also have no understanding that millions of null tax returns are filed every year. By telling people not to file until they see others do it you are spreading harmful and dangerous rumours which violates a number of forum rules but more importantly, puts other people at risk.

People usually look to CPA's for guidance and take their word as being closer to fact than not. Many will believe they don't need to think for themselves after hearing your advice and that is simply wrong.

I read an article explaining how the junta was obtaining foreign currency by forcing expatriate Burmese to exchange foreign currency at punitive exchange rates. The banks are complicit and compounding the situation by diverting foreign currency to the government, this helps their war effort and allows them to buy things their own currency cannot.

We disagree. The TRD has made a very clear decision which is supported by very clear statements. This was not always the case and I agree there has been uncertainty in the past but now confirmation is coming through. The TRD Code has always said it, TRD staff are now reported by members to have said it and now law firms are in print on the subject and they confirm it is so. Enforcement is a separate subject, the intent and the desire however are now unambiguous.