Tax Identification Number

[hobobo]

If this subject has been covered a-plenty, I apologise. Briefly, I am trying to access a Unit Trust investment which I started some 30 years ago, paid into it for maybe 15 years, then informed them that I'd stop the monthly payments but will keep everything at the mercy of the stock market. Now that I want to cash in part of my account, the company asked me to fill in a myriad of forms, among them a "Individual Self-Certification Form". I told them that I am now retired, live in Thailand, and do not have a Tax Identification Number", which is the last all-important form they want before releasing a penny from my account. They did not accept my earlier attempts, e.g. I don't work anymore, I am retired, I don't have sizeable accounts in Thailand. They insist on an official letter, preferably from tax authorities, that I don't have/need a Tax Identification Number. Any suggestions on how to proceed? Many thanks to all responders with relevant replies!

[ChouDoufu]

go to the local tax office and get a tax number.

takes 15 minutes with minimal paperwork.

[jayceenik]

Yes. Indeed painless to get.

In my case I had to provide a copy of my BKK apt rental agreement.

This to certify that I had a legit address in BKK.

[topt]

On 7/5/2018 at 9:05 PM, hobobo said:

I told them that I am now retired, live in Thailand, and do not have a Tax Identification Number", which is the last all-important form they want before releasing a penny from my account

You don't say but if from the UK can you not just give them your old NI number and or UTR? Tell them you are quite happy for them to report it to HMRC unless that is not the case?

 

There have been a number of topics to do with UK financial institutions requesting a TIN either because of CRS or Know your customer  type regs. In many cases people have successfully argued that they don't have/need one and this has been accepted. If you can get away without applying for one I suggest in the short term that may be beneficial so as not to draw any potential unwanted attention from the Thai Revenue service. 

 

On 7/5/2018 at 9:58 PM, ChouDoufu said:

go to the local tax office and get a tax number.

takes 15 minutes with minimal paperwork.

Whilst I agree this is what should happen a lot seems to depend on the tax office and language capabilities on both sides. Mine took several visits, a lot of paperwork and, with waiting, more than a few hours. If you have reasonable amounts of savings tax withheld to reclaim then this is still worthwhile. However when claiming there has also been a tendency recently for some offices to query the foreigners overall income. There have been several threads on TV from different offices so worth being aware of.

[hobobo]

17 hours ago, topt said:

You don't say but if from the UK can you not just give them your old NI number and or UTR? Tell them you are quite happy for them to report it to HMRC unless that is not the case?

 

There have been a number of topics to do with UK financial institutions requesting a TIN either because of CRS or Know your customer  type regs. In many cases people have successfully argued that they don't have/need one and this has been accepted. If you can get away without applying for one I suggest in the short term that may be beneficial so as not to draw any potential unwanted attention from the Thai Revenue service. 

Thanks topt, this is exactly what happened just before you posted your reply. I must have been on the 10th phone call to the UK in this saga, when one young bright spark asked for my NI number (which didn't appear on any of the myriad forms I was required to fill in). He phoned me back later the same day and promised "positive action within the next 5 working days". I hope to celebrate next Friday!