Ricohoc

After watching things play out in an unserious way over several months, consulting an attorney and looking at my deductions, I stopped sweating any of this taxation in January 2025. But this good news certainly reinforces all of my thinking on this issue. Thanks for the heads up.

Did your attorney also have that view?

The Treaty of Amity states that Americans are to be treated as Thai Nationals. American pensions are not to be taxed just as the pensions of Thai Nationals are not taxed. Which attorney advised you?

According to the attorney, the Treaty of Amity, which only applies to Americans. According to the Treaty, Americans are to be treated in the same way as Thai Nationals. Pensions are not taxed.

The attorney I contacted in BKK was very clear about this as it applies to Americans here. My meeting with him was worth the minimum cost and consultation. Unless Thailand decides to throw out the DTA with the US and The Treaty of Amity with the US, I will not owe any income taxes on my pensions before I even calculate any deductions allowed in Thailand. I appreciate you outlining this well.

Absolutely correct. Little to no guidance at all; and every local office has a different answer.

Apparently so.

As those of us all know who have lived here for awhile: TIT. Keep your head on a swivel. Anything can materialize instantaneously out of thin air.

Probably bit off more than they could chew. Again.

You're correct, and there are several other scenarios that would produce the same result of NO TAXES OWED. I agree that requiring tax paperwork when nothing is owed may be a headache for immigration. Unfortunately, we're still faced with TIT; and there is no telling what may happen down the line to transfer the headache to us by requiring us to go to the local TRD and get a letter saying we don't owe anything. Of course, that would then require us to undergo an "audit of sorts" by TRD to prove/determine whether or not we owe. If that ever happens (and I don't think it will happen) I'll do what I need to do. It's part of just having a plan A, B, C etc. Head on a swivel.

Thanks for that info. After investigating my situation further, I won't need that deduction. All of my ATM withdrawals for at least the next 5 years or so are coming from savings prior to Jan 1, 2024. If that changes, both of my pensions from the US are covered in the DTA. So I'm free and clear until they find another way to get me. Thanks again!

Fortunately, I can show funds coming from pre-1-Jan-2024 savings for a dozen years. After that, social security and deductions will take care of all the years after that if current laws remain the same; but I'm not counting on it.

100% of what I brought into Thailand via ATM withdrawals came from savings prior to January 1, 2024 (and I have the receipts to back it up). If savings prior to January 1, 2024 is not a deduction, then the other current deductions and Social Security will zero out anything that I may owe. The US/Thailand DTA shows that both Social Security and state pensions are exempt. If that is honored, then that will zero out anything that I may owe. Looking forward to getting some more specific guidance from Thailand's RD, but I'm not optimistic in that regard.

End-of-year statement 2023 secured and waiting.

An end of year statement from my US bank will confirm funds held (millions of baht) in savings. As long as savings prior to Dec 31, 2023 are proven by bank statement, they're savings and not taxable under the current information.