Legal Question To German Expats Regarding A Tax-issue

[Rempler]

Apologies for entering a "national" question in here but I do not see another chance for finding any help on this topic. According to the Forum-rules, I explain it in English though:

During the preparation of my move to Thailand (by December/ retirement visa requirements fulfilled) I learn that the pension, which I receive from my US-based former employer, can not be payed to an account outside of Germany (especially not to an account in Thailand). Therefore the German taxation law is applicable to this income. But this legal framework excludes all (pretty comprehensive) bonusses/discounts , which are given to families, as soon as the corresponding family is outside of Germany for more than 6 months per year. After the loss of those tax-discounts my monthly taxation will increase by 400% (!!), which makes it merely impossible for my Thai wife and me to permanently stay in Thailand.

My professional tax advisor said, that there surely will be valid roads out of trouble, but as he considered this question as "a bit exotic" for his desk, he was not willing to search for it, even not for a appropriate consultation fee !

Instead he recommended that I ask German expats, living in Thailand, who may have found a valid and legal way to get around the need to return to Germany for 6 months per year.

I would highly appreciate any helpful hints, advise or comments on this issue.

Thanx in advance !

RR

Edited January 12, 2007 by Rempler

[dutch]

There is a tax treaty between Thailand and Germany since 1968.

Check website www.rd.go.th

Look at their treaties topic and click Germany.Read article 18 about pensions

[visarunner]

Keep your Main Residence(Hauptwohnsitz) in Germany.

[Rempler]

There is a tax treaty between Thailand and Germany since 1968.

Check website www.rd.go.th

Look at their treaties topic and click Germany.Read article 18 about pensions

Dear Dutch,

thanks for the info.

+ This (double) Taxation Treaty protects me from double-taxation - Following Article 18 (1) confirms that the taxes for my pension are to be paid to the German tax administration.

- Unfortunately this keeps the original problem (loosing my "taxation-discounts" due to an absence of more than 6 months) still alive.

Nevertheless I am very thankful, as with your precise hint and the link I finally found the English version of this treaty, which I had been looking for since some time already.

Thanks to Visarunner as well, I replied to you via PM.

May you all have a wonderful, healthy and successful day !

Edited January 12, 2007 by Rempler