Pompey Lad 1938

am I allowed to travel outside of Thailand whilst my Retirement Stamp is under Consideration

Just come off the phone after talking with First Direct. Seems they wanted me to provide a ceritificate of tax residency UK to confirm my tax residency. This is because I am in Thailand and I told them I paid tax in the UK. Obviously didn't believe me! I quoted my UTR number and tax code. Then I was asked why I told them I did not submit an annual Self Assessment and told them as per instructions from Inland Revenue. Stupidly, well I thought so, they asked how much I earned in from income derived from employment in Thailand. Stupid because at almost 85 years old, I am unlikely to be working and I had already told them that my permission to stay in Thailand, did not permit me to work. Oh! said they, sorry for any inconvenience, but we needed to update our records.

My FD account was opened in November 2021 and I told them I was going to live in Thailand and they gave me a unique reference number that I quote whenever I need to speak with them because I am living outside the UK.

I have been here on and off for many years and never had this problem until I moved my account recently to First Direct. I don't do self Assessment because Inland Revenue, who knows where I am, told me not necessary and haven't done one for 4 years.

The UK/Thai DTA is quite clear to me, having just found it. for the purpose of Income Tax it was effective from 1981 and Article 4 (fiscal domicile) states: Article 4 Fiscal Domicile (1) For the purposes of this Convention, the term "resident of a Contracting State" means, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Article, any person who, under the law of that State, is liable to taxation therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of management, place of incorporation, or any other criterion of a similar nature. (2) Where by reason of the provision of paragraph (1) of this Article an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then his status shall be determined in accordance with the following rules: (a) he shall be deemed to be a resident of the Contracting State in which he has a permanent home available to him. If he has a permanent home available to him in both Contracting States, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the Contracting State with which his personal and economic relations are closer (centre of vital interests); (b) if the Contracting State in which he has his centre of vital interests cannot be determined, or if he has not a permanent home available to him in either Contracting State, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the Contracting State in which he has an habitual abode; (c) if he has an habitual abode in both Contracting States or in neither of them, he shall be deemed to be a resident of the Contracting State of which he is a national; (d) if he is a national of both Contracting States or of neither of them, the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavour to settle the question by mutual agreement. (3) Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article a person other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then the competent authorities of the Contracting States shall endeavour to settle the question by mutual agreement. I have a permanent home available in the UK whereas I do not have such in Thailand where I rent a condo as a tenant on a temporary yearly basis plus my connection with the UK is stronger because I have immediate family connections there. So in my book, I am a UK Tax Resident.

I had a letter today from my bank, HSBC, querying my Tax status. I have a Non-Immigrant O Visa (Retirement Stamp). I receive UK pensions which are taxed at source. I have no other income except the interest from my Thai Bank Savings account. The letter is a follow-up to a request from them for me to state my tax status. They say they cannot understand how I say I pay tax in the UK, yet live in Thailand. I explained that retirees are not residents of Thailand and are not required to pay tax on UK pensions. They refused to accept my explanation and said that they required me to provide an authorative document setting out the position of retirees. I also provided them with my UK UTR number and my current tax code. They further state that if I live in Thailand for more than 180 days, then I am considered to have Thai residence for tax purposes. I addition they asked if I had a Thai bank account and if so, did I pay tax on the interest gained on the savings in the account. I said I did have a savings account and that the interest was taxed at source. they then requested a letter from my Thai bank to confirm this. They say that they are complying with an HMRC directive. I can see many blogs on the web regarding this subject but have not been able to find an authorative document. Can anyone refer me to such a document?

Subject closed. UB Joe's reply is sufficient.

???????NO. Iam asking what constitutes the required 2 months for deposit of 400K for the renewal of my Retirement Stamp. Two calendar months i.e October and November or two consecutive periods of thirty days i.e. 10 October to 9 December. UB Joe has already answered me. Thanks UK Joe

Is it two calendar months on deposit or two 30 day periods for the 400K. If deposit made on 10 October would 10 December count as the two months. Grateful advice Many thanks

Can I get a Re=entry Stamp at any Immigration Office or must I use my local office. Also can I get a Re-entry Stamp on a Sunday at Suvarnabhumi 24/7 Many thanks

Does the 20K THB have to be in Thai Baht?

Yes here in KK it is one month

Can I travel to UK whilst my renewal of Retirement Stamp is under consideration, or do I have to remain in-country until completed. Many thanks

Thought I knew where to look but now cannot find the list of papers I have to produce to renew my annual retirement stamp I have found the list for marriage which I think differs from straightforward renewal Many thanks

Because I have become far more handsome!!!!