LTR Visa is Now available for Long Term Residency

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, JimGant said:

Of course. But the "being a tax resident" aspect is not stated in their "get a TIN after 60 days." The below is a little clearer -- but how you incorporate the "60 day" rule is not:

 

 

Anyway, if, like me, you'll never have any income -- remitted or worldwide -- that would be subject to Thai taxes -- forget getting a TIN. What could possibly happen? Besides, don't want my name in a TRD data base.

the 60-day after remitting assessable income is in Paragraph 1 of the Thai revenue dept page on "Tax Identification" quote: " person liable to personal income - within 60 days from the date he derives assessable income.  Form L.P. ...." for individual.

[Presnock]

2 hours ago, JimGant said:

Of course. But the "being a tax resident" aspect is not stated in their "get a TIN after 60 days." The below is a little clearer -- but how you incorporate the "60 day" rule is not:

 

 

Anyway, if, like me, you'll never have any income -- remitted or worldwide -- that would be subject to Thai taxes -- forget getting a TIN. What could possibly happen? Besides, don't want my name in a TRD data base.

I only quoted the Thai Revenue Dept  "tax identification" para 1 is the 60-days after the assessable income.  gives the form needed to fill out for individual and form for corporate.  A lot would depend on visa and yeah if you know for sure you will not be a 180 day tax resident then you don't have to file taxes in Thailand,   That may change in the future as they go after every adult must have a tax id number.  Until guidance is provided by the revenue dept of the govt then we can just relax.

[stat]

On 10/27/2024 at 7:00 AM, Presnock said:

Well the rule about meeting the qualifications during the period of the visa has been around and is for ALL visas.  The rules are spelled out in English too on the revenue dept web site.

The rules are the rules and then they come up with the joker "additional information can be asked" or "entry is at the discretion of the  IO officer". I once had all paperwork for an OA visa lined up and then they came up with the need for a signed copy of a 1 year rental contract which I did not have nor wanted... Of course no need for it was mentioned on any website of the three german embassies.

Edited October 29 by stat

[stat]

On 10/26/2024 at 6:11 PM, mickflick said:

Thank you very much for all the good advice. I have an excellent international health insurance with unlimited cover. So I don't see any reason why I should take out an additional policy just because the BOI is unable to interpret my insurance documents correctly. They also have extensive insight into my (comfortable) financial situation and for that reason alone they shouldn't treat me like a criminal. The BOI also requested my insurance terms and conditions, which state the cancellation terms. I referred to the relevant paragraphs and said that this would explain it better than an insurance letter. They only replied that they would only check it once they have the letter from the insurance company. You have to wonder why they even requested the insurance terms and conditions. What is going on here is so crazy and illogical. My insurance certificate also shows that I have been insured with this insurance company since 1999, so the BOI should also take this into account in their considerations. Furthermore, the insurance policy was up to date and it is actually clear that you do not receive an insurance confirmation if you have not paid the premiums. In this respect, all of this is incomprehensible. The health insurance issue had also been dealt with in the meantime and further confirmation was requested. When I had submitted all of this, the health insurance issue was brought up again with a request for the confirmation letter described above. Just getting confirmation that you had paid the premiums for the last 6 months was extremely difficult because something like that is completely unusual. I had also sent the BOI my bank statements with the deductions for the insurance premiums, but that was not enough for them. It was only through good contacts with my local insurance advisor that I finally got a stamp confirming that I had paid the premiums.  If I now arrive back and want another confirmation letter confirming that the insurance company cannot cancel my policy, everyone will think I am no longer of sound mind. I have written a corresponding letter and asked the BOI official to confirm that it contains all the information that is important to him. I also wrote to him that I am having extreme difficulty getting this type of confirmation letter from the insurance company and that he should please state all the questions he still has about my health insurance now because no further confirmation letters will be possible. Only when I have this confirmation will I bother my health insurance company with this letter. However, I have not received a response from the BOI for 5 days, which is absolutely unusual. Perhaps I worded the letter in such a way that someone has lost face. Who knows. In any case, I have had enough of this whole drama. I'm not particularly spoiled by german authorities, but I've never experienced the way the boi acts here. Communication, if it takes place at all, is very monosyllabic and unfriendly. On the one hand, I don't need the LTR visa and on the other hand, the whole procedure leaves such a bad impression that I am really looking for other destinations.  I have been thinking about Malaysia for a while now and will look into it more closely.

Did you try the following certificate:

 

https://www.thaiembassy.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/foreign_insurance_certificate.pdf

 

 

[Pib]

 

Snapshot from the BOI LTR website.  "Approved" LTR Visa since program kick-off 1 Sep 2022 thru 30 Sep 2024.   If my brain math is right that covers a  25 month period.  5,172 divided by 25 equal an average of almost 207 approved LTR visa per month.

 

[oldcpu]

 

On 10/28/2024 at 2:00 PM, JimGant said:

 

Quote

 

If you receive or remit assessable income in Thailand and reside in Thailand for 180 days or more, you need a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

https://www.expattaxthailand.com/tax-identification-number-thailand/

 

 

Anyway, if, like me, you'll never have any income -- remitted or worldwide -- that would be subject to Thai taxes -

 

A minor point (please correct me if I am wrong), this was clarified to be as of 1-Jan-2024, and that any income earned prior to that date treated separately.

 

Hence (independent of any LTR tax exemption) for those without LTR visa tax exemption, who have large savings OUTSIDE of Thailand prior to 1-Jan-2024, for the time being it may be simply a basic book keeping and financial record keeping effort, to show that any funds we bring into Thailand after 1-Jan-2024 were credibly (and proven to be by our financial records) earned outside of Thailand before 1-Jan-2024.

 

Hence such money brought into Thailand is not taxable per the the Thai Revenue Department order no. P.162/2023.

 

Of course this could all change in the future, but that is my understanding of the current active status.

Edited October 29 by oldcpu

[stat]

On 10/27/2024 at 9:24 AM, Presnock said:

I have a US govt sponsored health insurer and each year they provide a benefits brochure - this year's was 17 pages long so I highlighted certain passages within that and forwarded them to the BOI.  Those highlighted indicate "unlimited coverage" for hospitalization overseas but BOI said that wasn't sufficient, meaning I think that the seniors with final approval might not fully understand that phrase so another LTR  holder told me that he had the insurance provider send a letter spelling out clearly that the coverage was over the 50K USD for hospitalization and that was the final straw so I had the LTR then within 2 weeks.  Best deal yet for someone in my category.

They fail to understand unlimited as it is beyond their wildest imagination... Remember those <deleted>ty health insurances they want to sell to you that are capped at 500K Baht? Better to have something like 10 Million Baht.

 

I know it is a joke but what can we do.

 

There should be no need for health insurance if one has 80K USD per year passive income as in the WP LTR.

[stat]

On 10/27/2024 at 10:18 AM, mickflick said:

If the health insurance issue was the only problem, I would still have hope and patience. However, completely different errors have also occurred on the part of the official. Tax notices and my broker's annual tax notice were requested. The official then asked for a written certificate from my broker about the 2023 annual profit. Anyone who knows IB (Interactive Brokers) knows that they don't issue you with something like that. There is no reason because it is all in the annual tax notice. I told the official that I was not supposed to get individual confirmation letters from the broker. They then told me, that the visa could then no longer be processed. I then asked why they needed that at all because a wealthy pensioner does not have to prove their shareholding. The explanation then came that the amount of my pension would not be sufficient. The two pension notices from my insurance company clearly state the monthly pension. However, there is a slightly larger block of numbers on which the back payments are shown because processing my pension claim took several months.  I don't know how the official came to the conclusion that my pension wasn't enough. I then showed him a screenshot and calculated that I could easily meet the requirements of the BOI with my pension. He probably understood the larger block of numbers with the repayment as a pension. Whatever. When that was finally clarified, the thing with the health insurance was reopened. The person processing my application is obviously no longer able to determine the amount of my pension from the pension notice, so at this point I'm really wondering where this is all going. He didn't have to read through the whole document of my insurance conditions to find out the terms of cancelling my health insurance. I kindly pointed out the two paragraphs. I just can't cope with the level of this processing and can't understand it logically. Furthermore, I have also lost confidence in the ability of the person processing it. So I won't make any further efforts.  Perhaps the high rejection rate for LTR visas is because the BOI simply processes the application in such a way that people who are entitled to it simply do not get a visa. In Thailand, it is standard procedure to take a letter from the bank with you on all possible issues for every visit to the authorities. But here you are dealing with an international clientele and large brokers like IB simply do not issue letters about issues that can be found in the deposit statement. But this is obviously not something that the BOI clerks can understand. For me, this is the end of it. I am neither dependent on an LTR visa nor am I married to Thailand.

Did you send them the IB statement where it shows you current net wealth? I suppose they like it because it comes with a stamp and a signaturepreformated🙂 Was that accepted? Maybe send them some monthly, yearly trade reports. I will never understand why Thailand has a problem with brokers. Good luck!

[stat]

On 10/28/2024 at 10:32 AM, Presnock said:

I only quoted the Thai Revenue Dept  "tax identification" para 1 is the 60-days after the assessable income.  gives the form needed to fill out for individual and form for corporate.  A lot would depend on visa and yeah if you know for sure you will not be a 180 day tax resident then you don't have to file taxes in Thailand,   That may change in the future as they go after every adult must have a tax id number.  Until guidance is provided by the revenue dept of the govt then we can just relax.

All this 60 day stuff only applies if you are a tax resident and that comes into play after 180 days in TH not before.

[Presnock]

7 hours ago, stat said:

They fail to understand unlimited as it is beyond their wildest imagination... Remember those <deleted>ty health insurances they want to sell to you that are capped at 500K Baht? Better to have something like 10 Million Baht.

 

I know it is a joke but what can we do.

 

There should be no need for health insurance if one has 80K USD per year passive income as in the WP LTR.

I myself worry just how much longer my insurer will continue raising prices every year - this year I am getting a cost of living allowance (not so high) and the health insurer is increasing their cost so 1/3 of the COLA is gone.  I have seen references to folks now calling our premiums for CADILLAC coverage meaning too many new frills in each year's coverage.  Then they want to add on dental and pharma coverage on top of the already high premiums.  Just another rip off but at this late stage of life, while I might not need the coverage - it is for the family.  I have never had any charges on any of my insurance coverages!  Lucky to be healthy...soon my daughter will be too old to be on my coverage and I can then drop some of the costs.   best of health to all!

[SHA 2 BKK]

I see in the Newspaper that cannot be mentioned today the BOI is talking about worldwide taxation and that the RD hope to implement it in 2025.  Anyone who stays in Thailand for more than 180 days will be liable to the world wide scheme. 
 

The BOI is talking to the Finance Department and other Government Departments to lessen this moves impact on BOI clients.    I hope this also includes LTR Visa holders.  
 

Whilst the no 90 reports and other benefits are wonderful the lack of tax on remittances attracts me greatly. 
 

My income in Australia is already taxed and me pension which becomes Tax Free in a few years is Government Service and therefore DTA Tax Free.  But the pain of paperwork worries me most. 

[Presnock]

1 hour ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

I see in the Newspaper that cannot be mentioned today the BOI is talking about worldwide taxation and that the RD hope to implement it in 2025.  Anyone who stays in Thailand for more than 180 days will be liable to the world wide scheme. 
 

The BOI is talking to the Finance Department and other Government Departments to lessen this moves impact on BOI clients.    I hope this also includes LTR Visa holders.  
 

Whilst the no 90 reports and other benefits are wonderful the lack of tax on remittances attracts me greatly. 
 

My income in Australia is already taxed and me pension which becomes Tax Free in a few years is Government Service and therefore DTA Tax Free.  But the pain of paperwork worries me most. 

The very documentation bit hit me quickly!  I was on a retirement O for  20 plus years so understand about documentation though some things now can be done online, some things have only began that were never there, but the LTR is to me just so easy now on paperwork.  No having to go elsewhere to get a document - can do everything from you computer in your house!  A lot less paperwork by far.  Plus, the folks at the BOI are super helpful and speak and understand English well.  The only time one might have a problem is not having the specific documentation that will be accepted.  Once one decides to go for it, keep in mind that those of us that have that visa might have had the same problem area and we might be able to steer one's document to what that person needs.  We too are willing to pass on our process  situations - some people took longer than others but prevailed.  I myself at first had some document problem probably due to ENGLISH document for those that do the final approval but I was able to eventually get my LTR just over 2 weeks from start to finish!  Good luck.  For me I realize this is absolutely the best for me.

[JackGats]

I am an LTR holder but I want to file taxes for 2024 on the basis of the dividends I earn from my Thai broker's account.

 

Has anyone any knowledge of an agency who could file taxes for me in such a simple case. No need to file remittances, no need to mess with DTAs, just the Thai dividends + a cover letter explaining I have an LTR and am thus exempted from taxes on my foreign income as per Royal Decree.

 

I don't want an agency that tells me "you don't owe any tax so no need to file". I want to file and get a tax assessment notice, if only one that says "no tax owed".

[Ben Zioner]

I might contact Dej-Udom & Associates Ltd who are listed as Certified agency for the LTR visa.

[Thomas4628]

Hi I am new to this forum and would appreciate your help. I am planning to apply for the LTR visa (Work from Thailand professionals). Regarding the income requirements, does rental income count? I rent out a property and would like to include this in the 80k income requirements. Also what kind of documents are sufficient to prove the revenue requirements for my company. It is a global company, but I work for a much smaller sub firm.  

[SHA 2 BKK]

17 minutes ago, Thomas4628 said:

Hi I am new to this forum and would appreciate your help. I am planning to apply for the LTR visa (Work from Thailand professionals). Regarding the income requirements, does rental income count? I rent out a property and would like to include this in the 80k income requirements. Also what kind of documents are sufficient to prove the revenue requirements for my company. It is a global company, but I work for a much smaller sub firm.  

I suggest you contact the BOI directly at Chamchuri Square.  The staff are helpful and friendly and speak good English.  If you are in the Bangkok area I would strongly suggest a personal visit.   
 

I have the Pensioner LTR so I’m sorry I cannot assist further but it’s a great Visa and best of luck.  

[Thomas4628]

2 hours ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

I suggest you contact the BOI directly at Chamchuri Square.  The staff are helpful and friendly and speak good English.  If you are in the Bangkok area I would strongly suggest a personal visit.   
 

I have the Pensioner LTR so I’m sorry I cannot assist further but it’s a great Visa and best of luck.  

Ok thank you. I just wonder if anybody has experience with this income documentation. I don't have tax returns for my rental income. It is below the minimum tax bracket so no need to file it

[JackGats]

4 minutes ago, Thomas4628 said:

Ok thank you. I just wonder if anybody has experience with this income documentation. I don't have tax returns for my rental income. It is below the minimum tax bracket so no need to file it

I know tax returns are not the only proof of income accepted by the BIO. In my case annual pension statements from the entity paying out my pension were accepted. In your case the problem would be how to get clear print-outs of the regular rent payments showing they have been a regular source of income and are likely to remain so for some time. If your bank statements are in English so much the better, otherwise translation is a further hassle.

[Thomas4628]

10 hours ago, JackGats said:

I know tax returns are not the only proof of income accepted by the BIO. In my case annual pension statements from the entity paying out my pension were accepted. In your case the problem would be how to get clear print-outs of the regular rent payments showing they have been a regular source of income and are likely to remain so for some time. If your bank statements are in English so much the better, otherwise translation is a further hassle.

Great, thanks for your help. In my case I have a rental contract, proof of ownership and bank statements showing rental income. I hope this is enough. I am currently gathering all documents and will submit my application next week

[Presnock]

On 10/28/2024 at 12:19 PM, Presnock said:

if a "tourist" is only here for 175 days, he is not a tax resident so wouldn't have a tax id nor have to file taxes on any of the funds remitted into Thailand.  If someone knows for sure that they will stay within Thailand for less that the 180 days, then again not necessary to obtain a tax ID (probably Thai Revenue Dept wouldn't provide one for that person anyway.  My personal feeling is that either this scheme or the worldwide income taxation scheme if it ever comes to pass will REQUIRE all adults in Thailand to obtain a tax ID number, but I also don't think that the revenue dept will give a tax ID if one is on tourist visa.  I sure have no idea when or what they will come up with but believe that they are still discussing some ways so that they can milk every baht out of those long stayers.  Possibly will need to tighten up the immigration and tax folks jobs and sharing of what they can get out of the expats. Or maybe they will do as the PI and not tax pensions of foreigners at all.  Then today we see an opposition member talking about the PM dissolving the parliament soon - if this happens, then any tax scheme will probably be put on hold indefinitely.  If it does happen, can see the baht losing steam too as who will want to invest here.  BTW any ideas on what will happen as Thailand joins BRICS next year.  SInce they want to do all away with the dollar/pound/euro - how that will impact us western expats?

Agree with your assessment of the tax situation.  Many of your questions are exactly those of my thinking.  I am not sure but thought that tourists can't open a bank account here.  Thus the revenue dept would have to get a handly on ATM withdrawals.  As for BRICS, the US and China are two of the biggest trade partners so they have to get along so agree that doing away with dollars and western currencies will take more time than we are alive unless some major trade situations are abolished.  As for Thailand, if the current leadership is also cut down then like you said no changes anytime soon on the different tax scheme(s).  If American, have a great Thanksgiving!  For the rest of the expats, enjoy the Cool winds supposed to cover much of Thailand this coming week according to the weather service and local news channels.