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!!!!

Further my initial complaint about the time lag in applying and receiving a new passport, I am vry happy to report that dead-on 9 weeks I received today an email to tell me to go and collect the new one. Works wonders to have the UK Home Secretary as your MP!

Am I required to deposit the 40K monthly deposit for my Retirement Stamp (Marriage) during a six month residence in UK if I split the year 6 here 6 there;

Okay pedantic one, The Border Officer said., 'This picture does not represent you as you present yourself here today, Change your passport or you will not be allowed to enter the UK, because the EGate does not recognise you and I can see no resemblance comparing you with the Passport you have presented'.

It was a directive not a request.

Just spoken to HMPO Liverpool and they assure me that all overseas renewal of passport are being met within the 13 week time frame.

When leaving the UK (Heathrow) this year, I was advised by a member of the UK Border Force to renew my passport because my picture was not representative of my current facial look. I acted upon that advice and attended an interview at the VFS(HMPO) (Bangkok) office on 9 September 2022. I was subsequently advised that HMPO Liverpool received my passport via courier (DHL) on 12 September 2022 and my Credit Card was charged by them on 13 September 2022/ On Wednesday 2 November I checked the progress of the renewal by calling +443002220000 and was informed that HMPO Liverpool had not received an application from me. I was then passed to a second office who confirmed that there was no record of an application in my name being received. When I was told that there was no trace of my application, I did waste a call to speak to the Consular Officer (Passports) at the British Embassy Bangkok. to seek advice. However, after my initial exchange with the Consular Official, I realised I was wasting my time, simply because when I was asked where I was calling from and replied Khon Kaen, the next question 'where's that'! If Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to make savings he could start with this particular Embassy! Doubtless, there will be a response to say that they have no mandate in this area. On Thursday 3 November I obtained a copy of the DHL docket for the delivery to HMPO Liverpool which contained the name of the person receiving the application at HMPO Liverpool. I then called the same telephone number, and was eventually put through to a 'Specialist Unit' and the very polite lady confirmed that HMPO Liverpool had indeed received the application and it was currently being processed. I now understand that VFS (HMPO)(Bangkok) is advising that the current processing time for passports from Thailand is 16 weeks. This presents many travel difficulties to anyone seeking to renew their passport and is in my considered view, totally unacceptable.

Why? Gathering news is their job. Plus if you believe them, they had permission.

Drugs yet again. Death toll now up to 32 I believe. No doubt the pro-drugs crowd on this site will come out to shout me down. one death is too many, but 32 including 22 children some as young as 2 years old is horrendous! I will report anyone I think is on Yah Baa as I did recently to my step daughters boyfriend. Told him to stay away or else. Not a popular decision, i could not care less. No doubt I am on the bad boys wanted list, but at 84 I should worry

A plausible explanation for BritManToo . I stand corrected and apologise.

I note on the Wise internet page that they have placed a notice in red, stating that for the time being they can only accept transfers of 26,000 GBP or above. A casualty of the recent market problems earlier this week?