52 minutes ago, John207 said:

To simplify: If I deposit $50,000 in an account in 2026, either in Thailand or elsewhere, and willingly don’t use it, whether it sits there or, if allowed, is tied up in a 12-month fixed deposit with the principal accessible anytime, could I remit new money earned in the UK in 2027 instead and still meet the tax exemption requirements? Or does it have to be the actual money earned the previous year that must be remitted and only from the account it sits in?

If you are a LTR visa holder in one of the tax exempt categories, and you remit/deposit $50k in a Thai bank in 2026, that $50k would need to have been income earned in 2025 or earlier for it to be tax exempt as per the BOI email I received yesterday. See below:

5 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

If you remit & deposit $50k in a Thai bank in 2026, as per the guidance I received from BOI yesterday, that income would need to have been earned in 2025 or earlier for it to be tax exempt. The guidance from BOI is pretty clear. See below:

Thanks for your message. The part of my message you quoted was just a simplified example to ask a different question: What would happen in 2027 if I were to remit money earned in 2027 from one account, while at the same time having the same amount of money earned the previous year sitting in a different account (like the $50,000 remittance from the previous year which would be money earned in 2025) and that I don’t want to move around for various reasons, as explained in my previous message, all with a paper trail. The previous poster mentioned it would depend on the Thai Revenue Department, which is probably correct. I’m just trying to get insights from anyone else who might be in a similar position.

52 minutes ago, John207 said:

Thanks for your message. The part of my message you quoted was just a simplified example to ask a different question: What would happen in 2027 if I were to remit money earned in 2027 from one account, while at the same time having the same amount of money earned the previous year sitting in a different account (like the $50,000 remittance from the previous year which would be money earned in 2025) and that I don’t want to move around for various reasons, as explained in my previous message, all with a paper trail. The previous poster mentioned it would depend on the Thai Revenue Department, which is probably correct. I’m just trying to get insights from anyone else who might be in a similar position.

Sorry, I can't answer your specific question about remitting your 2027 earned income in 2027 even though you have the same amount from 2025 in another acct. That is between you and TRD. Also, it depends on your country's DTA whether what you remit is tax exempt. In my case, I will be remitting my 2026 SS gov't income in 2026, but it is tax exempt as per DTA. I keep my SS gov't income in a separate acct, so I have a good paper trail. I do not mix it with my other income streams. Good luck... 

2 hours ago, John207 said:

To simplify: If I deposit $50,000 in an account in 2026, either in Thailand or elsewhere, and willingly don’t use it, whether it sits there or, if allowed, is tied up in a 12-month fixed deposit with the principal accessible anytime, could I remit new money earned in the UK in 2027 instead and still meet the tax exemption requirements? Or does it have to be the actual money earned the previous year that must be remitted and only from the account it sits in?

 

I don't think I fully understand the details of your question. 

 

With regard to this new BoI interpretation of the Royal Decree 743, ...

 

My understanding (ie 'understanding , not advice) ...  is if you earn foreign income outside of Thailand any time in year 2026, but wait until anytime in calendar year 2027 or later to bring it into Thailand, then per both Royal Decree 743 and the RD/BoI interpretation of the Royal Decree, that money is free of Thailand taxes. It is not to be considered assessable income in Thailand and not to be used in assessing if a Thailand tax return needed.

 

For example, income on the last day of December-2026, could be bought into Thailand on the 1st day of January-2027, with no Thailand Tax obligations, as it is a different calendar year.  

 

Note this does NOT apply to profits earned on that year-2026 money gained in year 2027 (ie profits if the 2026 money is  invested). For example if you receive income from the last day of December-2026 (and don't yet bring into Thailand), and if you invest that Dec-2026 money outside of Thailand, and then in November-2027 you decided to remit that money into Thailand, you could remit the amount earned in December-2026 to Thailand tax free.  BUT if you included the profit you made from Jan-2027 to Nov-2027 (on that Dec-2026 income) in that November-2027 remittance, then that profit (only) might be taxable in Thailand (DTA content dependent).  To keep it simple, you would need to wait until calendar year 2028 to bring that profit into Thailand.   Clear as mud? 

 

This is my understanding - and it is what I am using for my own guidance. Take such or leave such as I am not a tax advisor.

1 hour ago, John207 said:

Thanks for your message. The part of my message you quoted was just a simplified example to ask a different question: What would happen in 2027 if I were to remit money earned in 2027 from one account, while at the same time having the same amount of money earned the previous year sitting in a different account (like the $50,000 remittance from the previous year which would be money earned in 2025) and that I don’t want to move around for various reasons, as explained in my previous message, all with a paper trail. The previous poster mentioned it would depend on the Thai Revenue Department, which is probably correct. I’m just trying to get insights from anyone else who might be in a similar position.

 

I don't think anyone knows the answer here for certain.  I suspect it is up to the Thai RD and any political objectives/intent they may have.

 

Assume you have account-A outside of Thailand (where your income goes into) and account-B (outside of Thailand with lots of money invested).

 

In this example, in calendar year 2026,  assume as noted your income goes into account-A .  And you had 10x as much money as your past (many years back) income in account-B (earning lots of profit).   But you elected to bring money from account-A into Thailand in year 2026 (ie same year and same account in which you deposited that year 2026 earned that money), then IMHO the Thai RD could state that money is clearly income from year 2026, bought into Thailand in year 2026, and hence not exempt Thai tax per the Royal Decree 743.

 

and ... and .. .who knows.  .. Maybe given your massive amount of money in account-B, they would ignore that account-A money brought into Thailand in year 2026 was also earned in year 2026. But I would not gamble on that hopeful view of the RD.

 

IMHO (my opinion, NOT tax advice) is to separate clearly the income,  into a different calendar year the remittance submission, and have a solid paper trail of earnings to remittance.

.

 

1 hour ago, John207 said:

What would happen in 2027 if I were to remit money earned in 2027 from one account, while at the same time having the same amount of money earned the previous year sitting in a different account

 

Each account would be specifically identifiable, by year. Thus, the fungibility concept would be out the door. And you'd probably lose -- understandably --  any argument with the Thai RD, as the money you remitted has definitive year earned.

 

But if you included that 2027 earned income into an account of long standing, to include earnings and other dollar inputs from earlier years -- the fungibility concept is your friend. In my case, all the Wise transfers I make are from a savings account established 30 years ago; and here's where FIFO is also your friend, 'cause I could make an argument, in the unlikely event I ever had to, that my use of FIFO is supported by an upstanding source -- the Bangkok Post:

 

Quote

Where securities are certified and the serial numbers of the shares are identified, the specific cost of the share has to be used. The taxpayer is not allowed to use any other accounting method such as first-in first-out (FIFO), last-in first-out (LIFO) or weighted average method as the specific securities can be identified.

- BUT for scriptless securities [like, fungible cash], the taxpayer is allowed to use any acceptable accounting method such as FIFO, LIFO or weighted average method in calculating cost of securities.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/299691/when-the-revenue-department-changes-its-mind-the-taxpayer-gets-the-headache

 

So, with FIFO, wiring your money from a long established (or several year) account, would get around that the money wired "is this year's income," assuming, of course, the account was larger at year's beginning than the amount of wired money in current year. 

 

A lot of various (but not necessarily nefarious) interpretations out there. Find one, or several, you can hang your hat on (like the Bangkok Post FIFO article) and self assess your Thai tax situation to your advantage. Probably could result in never having to file a Thai tax return, thus RD never ever having heard of you, especially if you never obtain a TIN. But, in the unlikely event you're called in for a chat, your argument re FIFO is certainly not specious, so worst case: having to file a back tax return -- but probably without penalty. 

 

And I can only foresee the above "chat" occurring if someday RD does random audits of folks with "very large" (whatever that might be) remittances to Thailand. 

 

 

4 hours ago, John207 said:

Thanks for your thoughts! That's right, going down the DTA route may well nullify the Royal decree 743 protection good point! Something more to really look into.

Maybe I worded that wrong.

 

The DTA route might augment the LTR, not nullify it.

.

3 hours ago, oldcpu said:

In this example, in calendar year 2026,  assume as noted your income goes into account-A .  And you had 10x as much money as your past (many years back) income in account-B (earning lots of profit).   But you elected to bring money from account-A into Thailand in year 2026 (ie same year and same account in which you deposited that year 2026 earned that money), then IMHO the Thai RD could state that money is clearly income from year 2026, bought into Thailand in year 2026, and hence not exempt Thai tax per the Royal Decree 743.

I agree and this is really obvious. 

 

 

Say you earned 50 k in 2024 , then remitted 50 k during 2025 , does it matter where that cash came from? Surely money is money and should be tax free. 

41 minutes ago, persimmon said:

Say you earned 50 k in 2024 , then remitted 50 k during 2025 , does it matter where that cash came from? Surely money is money and should be tax free. 

 

Yes. nominally tax free in your example.

 

Per the 'latest' BoI emails to a couple of forum members, if on an LTR-WP or LTR-WGC,  nominally the remitted foreign income to Thailand , if it is remitted in a year other than the year in which the money was earned as income, is tax free.   

 

So for your example, foreign income earned in 2024 outside of Thailand, and that same income remitted in 2025 to Thailand, should be tax free per LTR Royal Decree 743 and per the current BOI interpretation.

 

A point that was being made thou, was say you received that income in Dec-2024, and remitted the income to Thailand in Nov-2025. That Dec-2024 income would be exempt Thailand tax per the LTR  Royal Decree, ...  but any interest/money profit earned in in Jan-2025 to Nov-2025 from that Dec-2024 income, if that profit remitted in Dec-2025, would be possibly taxable in Thailand (despite one being on an LTR visa) dependent on what the DTA between Thailand and the income source country states.  One needs to wait to 2026 to bring that 2025 profit into Thailand to be tax free (if DTA does not make tax free). ...  This is per the 'latest Boi emails" (that forum members posted about), where such notes the LTR visa does not exempt profit earned in the same year it is remitted.

.

Just out of curiosity, is anyone sticking their head in the sand with regards to the taxation issue? Im on an LTR WP, I do have a TIN, but haven't filed for over 13 years since I no longer needed a WP.

 

My money is pooled in various instruments and liquid cash offshore so it would be extremely hard to prove any remittance came from money made that year, even if I wanted to.

 

Am I the only one who's burying they're head? Or should I be more proactive especially with this new information of same year income not being tax exempt. I had a brief chat with the law office that did my LTR and they said do nothing is best.

1 hour ago, gravity101 said:

Just out of curiosity, is anyone sticking their head in the sand with regards to the taxation issue? Im on an LTR WP, I do have a TIN, but haven't filed for over 13 years since I no longer needed a WP.

 

My money is pooled in various instruments and liquid cash offshore so it would be extremely hard to prove any remittance came from money made that year, even if I wanted to.

 

Am I the only one who's burying they're head? Or should I be more proactive especially with this new information of same year income not being tax exempt. I had a brief chat with the law office that did my LTR and they said do nothing is best.

 

I suspect it depends on what you mean as "to be doing nothing" in regards to  "burying ones head in the sand".

I brought a large amount of money into Thailand years ago ( as a Thai non resident) and have been living off such since. My wife pushed me to get a Thai tax ID but the local RD office refused to grant me such. I obtained the LTR-WP visa and actively monitor Asean now forums and follow up on my own reviewing Thai tax law ( translations), reviewing relevant DTAs with my source income countrys, review relevant Thai Royal Decrees on taxation, and try to stay up to date with Thai tax interpretations as they change. Have I filed I Thai tax returns, No. Have I paid Thai withholding tax on Thai bank interest? Yes.

In your case you have the LTR (?). You went to a local law office to inquire . And you monitor this thread and likely others.

I don't call that sticking one's head in the sand. Rather I call it an approach based on a considered assessment. That is not to say mistakes can't be made. We all make mistakes but we can still try our best.

2 hours ago, oldcpu said:

 

I suspect it depends on what you mean as "to be doing nothing" in regards to  "burying ones head in the sand".

I brought a large amount of money into Thailand years ago ( as a Thai non resident) and have been living off such since. My wife pushed me to get a Thai tax ID but the local RD office refused to grant me such. I obtained the LTR-WP visa and actively monitor Asean now forums and follow up on my own reviewing Thai tax law ( translations), reviewing relevant DTAs with my source income countrys, review relevant Thai Royal Decrees on taxation, and try to stay up to date with Thai tax interpretations as they change. Have I filed I Thai tax returns, No. Have I paid Thai withholding tax on Thai bank interest? Yes.

In your case you have the LTR (?). You went to a local law office to inquire . And you monitor this thread and likely others.

I don't call that sticking one's head in the sand. Rather I call it an approach based on a considered assessment. That is not to say mistakes can't be made. We all make mistakes but we can still try our best.

Sounds pretty much the same as me. i guess sticking my head in the sand is too strong a term, but certainly not trying very hard.  The BOI certainly know my 'income' as it was submitted during the LTR process, wouldn't seem far fetched for the TRD to have hold of it and put me on a list.  Anyway, I was just curious if I was the only one not filing and not really taking it too seriously.. maybe to my detriment. 

We did all think a LTR visa was a carteblanche licence not to think about tax right?

57 minutes ago, gravity101 said:

We did all think a LTR visa was a carteblanche licence not to think about tax right?

Not more than a temporary carte blanche until it is not... until it is again, and so on.

11 hours ago, gravity101 said:

The BOI certainly know my 'income' as it was submitted during the LTR process, wouldn't seem far fetched for the TRD to have hold of it and put me on a list. 

 

Thailand is notorious for the right hand not talking to the left hand - but -  but its not beyond the realm of possibility that BoI might pass their records to the Thai RD.

 

I don't see that for a cause of worry (at least not in my own case).

 

If one has the an LTR-WP/WGC visa, and given the BoI emails that a couple forum members recently shared re; the updated BoI position on tax exemption for those visas, its likely a good time now to start ensuring one is remitting money to Thailand from a year other than the year in which the foreign income is earned. Start planning now.

 

As for past remittance?

 

If one has concerns due to remitted foreign income, take a second look at the Double Tax Agreement (DTA) one has with one's source country, so maybe that is a factor here that in such a case a DTA may reduce Thai tax exposure,  dependent on the DTA wording.

 

And also take a look at one's foreign savings status (outside of Thailand) on 31-Dec-2023, and perhaps that amount can be used to show any remitted funds in 2024 and 2025 were 100% tax exempt.  (It could be useful to show such if the LTR Visa tax exemption is not met , or if the relevant DTA does not provide tax exemption) . 

 

The above being due to Ministerial Directives Por.161.162 governing remittance of any income/saving from before 1-Jan-2024.

 

The devil is in the details  - and there could be lots of legal solid reasons, why no Thai tax return is need as the remitted funds to Thailand do not meet the Thai tax law (as amplified by Royal Decrees and Ministerial Directives) assessable income criteria.

 

Best wishes to all here.

On 12/11/2025 at 6:47 PM, Pib said:

Did my LTR visa every 1 year address report today at the BOI LTR Office/Immigration new location in the One Bangkok complex.

When I asked BOI a year ago about reporting by mail, this was their answer:

"One-year reports by physical mail are not acceptable."

And, of course, online reporting, like TM47 90-day reports, is also not an option for this TM95 one-year report. 

 

So, in person -- or hire an agent. And, for those living in major cities, like CM, you can 'in person' report to the local Imm office (or use an agent). Not so sure if podunk Imm offices accept TM95 reports.......

 

...... so then what -- off to Bangkok or a major city (or hire an agent to do the same)?

 

PIA for those old farts, who don't travel abroad yearly (thus obviating need to file a TM95), and who live in the sticks.

 

 

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

When I asked BOI a year ago about reporting by mail, this was their answer:

"One-year reports by physical mail are not acceptable."

And, of course, online reporting, like TM47 90-day reports, is also not an option for this TM95 one-year report. 

 

So, in person -- or hire an agent. And, for those living in major cities, like CM, you can 'in person' report to the local Imm office (or use an agent). Not so sure if podunk Imm offices accept TM95 reports.......

 

...... so then what -- off to Bangkok or a major city (or hire an agent to do the same)?

 

PIA for those old farts, who don't travel abroad yearly (thus obviating need to file a TM95), and who live in the sticks.

 

 

Going to Bangkok to do your report is not an option if you do not live in Bangkok.  They will see that your TM30 is not filed there and will tell you to go back to where you live to do it.  You do not get to pick and choose where to do your report.

45 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Going to Bangkok to do your report is not an option if you do not live in Bangkok.  They will see that your TM30 is not filed there and will tell you to go back to where you live to do it.  You do not get to pick and choose where to do your report.

No.  LTR address reporting does not have to follow that general rule which applies to non-immigrant type visas.  Just like someone applying for and getting approved for an LTR visa that has an address outside of Bangkok (e.g., Chiang Mai. Phuket, etc.,) must go the Bangkok BOI Immigration for issue of the visa vs their local immigration office. Some visa management issues for LTR visas are just handled differently from non immigrant type visa general rules.

On 12/16/2025 at 7:20 AM, John207 said:

Thanks for your thoughts! That's right, going down the DTA route may well nullify the Royal decree 743 protection good point! Something more to really look into.

 

That said, my girlfriend just said she can help me by transferring $20,000 from her $ account to my $ account  for a year (money I gave her a few years ago, just in case), giving me time to build up the cash reserve for the next tax year. With that, I could easily set aside another $15/20,000 right now to make up the total I normally spend annually.

 

However, I’m wondering: in 2026, can I remit new money earned that year instead of using the dollars my girlfriend transferred to me? Or does it have to be the very money earned in the previous year and stored in a specific account that must be remitted? Does money sitting in accounts (both in Thailand and abroad) from previous years, but not remitted, still count toward the tax exemption?

 

To simplify: If I deposit $50,000 in an account in 2026, either in Thailand or elsewhere, and willingly don’t use it, whether it sits there or, if allowed, is tied up in a 12-month fixed deposit with the principal accessible anytime, could I remit new money earned in the UK in 2027 instead and still meet the tax exemption requirements? Or does it have to be the actual money earned the previous year that must be remitted and only from the account it sits in?

I'd say money stored in a separate "cooling off" account. Unless you remit within the first few January days, as you're usually not assumed to have earned 20k dollars on January 1st (though this too, is open to nitpicking of course).

I’ve been reaching out to BOI with a few questions and have received the same response as the previous two posters. For context, I’ve included the central part of my email, which shows my questions I raised and their reply.

 

 

As you can see from the response, they did not provide a specific date indicating when the change occurred. This information could be important, particularly in the event of a tax dispute. At this stage, I’m left wondering whether a change has actually taken place, or if it has always been BOI’s interpretation that income earned and remitted within the same tax year qualifies for tax exemption. On the other hand, the TRD might have been adhering to the Royal Decree from the outset, which is fairly clear in its wording.

 

Has anyone come across any official documentation from sources such as the TRD, BOI quoting other official sources, or other government bodies that confirms that LTR WP visa holders [were] entitled to tax exemption on income earned and remitted within the same tax year? Again, this could be important in the event of a potential tax dispute.

23 hours ago, Pib said:

No.  LTR address reporting does not have to follow that general rule which applies to non-immigrant type visas.  Just like someone applying for and getting approved for an LTR visa that has an address outside of Bangkok (e.g., Chiang Mai. Phuket, etc.,) must go the Bangkok BOI Immigration for issue of the visa vs their local immigration office. Some visa management issues for LTR visas are just handled differently from non immigrant type visa general rules.

Pib,  Perhaps you know (or have an opinion):

 

If I live most of the time in Chiang Mai (CM, with my LTR Visa registered as a resident of CM, & i have a CM TM30) but happen to be traveling to Bangkok, can I do my one year TM95 report at the "One Bangkok" location, without bothering to get a Bangkok TM30 first?

 

If so, how about if I happen to be in Jomtien, can I do the one year TM95 report in Jomtien, without getting a Jomtien TM30 first?

1 minute ago, OneZero said:

Pib,  Perhaps you know (or have an opinion):

 

If I live most of the time in Chiang Mai (CM, with my LTR Visa registered as a resident of CM, & i have a CM TM30) but happen to be traveling to Bangkok, I can do my one year TM95 report at the "One Bangkok" location, without bothering to get a Bangkok TM30 first?

 

If so, how about if I happen to be in Jomtien, can I do the one year TM95 report in Jomtien, without getting a Jomtien TM30 first?

 

My opinion is "One Bangkok" would do it no problem regardless of address on your last TM30.   

 

Now based on another immigration office processing a 1 yr LTR address reports that would depend on how up-to-speed, their local policy regarding address reporting.  

 

If I was you I would swing by the One Bangkok office while in Bangkok...you'll probably be in and out in minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

41 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

My opinion is "One Bangkok" would do it no problem regardless of address on your last TM30.   

 

Now based on another immigration office processing a 1 yr LTR address reports that would depend on how up-to-speed, their local policy regarding address reporting.  

 

If I was you I would swing by the One Bangkok office while in Bangkok...you'll probably be in and out in minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Pib, good advice, & I will do that.  I'm lucky, it couldn't be simpler for me. 

My condo is just across the street (Lumpini Park View) with the MTR tunnel under Rama IV to "One Bangkok" at the front door of the condo.

3 hours ago, John207 said:

I’ve been reaching out to BOI with a few questions and have received the same response as the previous two posters. For context, I’ve included the central part of my email, which shows my questions I raised and their reply.

 

 

As you can see from the response, they did not provide a specific date indicating when the change occurred. This information could be important, particularly in the event of a tax dispute. At this stage, I’m left wondering whether a change has actually taken place, or if it has always been BOI’s interpretation that income earned and remitted within the same tax year qualifies for tax exemption. On the other hand, the TRD might have been adhering to the Royal Decree from the outset, which is fairly clear in its wording.

 

Has anyone come across any official documentation from sources such as the TRD, BOI quoting other official sources, or other government bodies that confirms that LTR WP visa holders [were] entitled to tax exemption on income earned and remitted within the same tax year? Again, this could be important in the event of a potential tax dispute.

Good post John207.

On page 82 of this thread, Thailand J posted “Reply from BOI to my question about tax exemption for LTR visa holders:” which includes a screenshot of that BOI reply and it confirms “…you will receive personal income tax exemption on your overseas income under such Royal Decree even if you have brought overseas income into Thailand in the same tax year.”  Many LTR holders and applicants on this thread received the same feedback from BOI on this issue and relied on those statements in their decision to proceed with their application for the visa.

 

Also, all of the marketing material about the LTR program, including the LTR brochure and the LTR website, mention “Tax exemption for overseas income” without any qualifiers.  The lack of any mention of the year income was earned in relation to the tax exemption implies a broad tax exemption for remitted income regardless of the year in which the income was earned.  

26 minutes ago, Richard007 said:

On page 82 of this thread, Thailand J posted “Reply from BOI to my question about tax exemption for LTR visa holders:” which includes a screenshot of that BOI reply and it confirms “…you will receive personal income tax exemption on your overseas income under such Royal Decree even if you have brought overseas income into Thailand in the same tax year.”  Many LTR holders and applicants on this thread received the same feedback from BOI on this issue and relied on those statements in their decision to proceed with their application for the visa.

 

 

Also, all of the marketing material about the LTR program, including the LTR brochure and the LTR website, mention “Tax exemption for overseas income” without any qualifiers.  The lack of any mention of the year income was earned in relation to the tax exemption implies a broad tax exemption for remitted income regardless of the year in which the income was earned. 

Official information is unsurprisingly contradictory, or rather rules have changed after commitment.

So if audited and penalized (highly improbable), one will still have the option to sue BOI for deceptive claim/omission. Granted that trial outcome is uncertain.

4 hours ago, John207 said:

I’ve been reaching out to BOI with a few questions and have received the same response as the previous two posters. For context, I’ve included the central part of my email, which shows my questions I raised and their reply.

 

 

As you can see from the response, they did not provide a specific date indicating when the change occurred. This information could be important, particularly in the event of a tax dispute. At this stage, I’m left wondering whether a change has actually taken place, or if it has always been BOI’s interpretation that income earned and remitted within the same tax year qualifies for tax exemption. On the other hand, the TRD might have been adhering to the Royal Decree from the outset, which is fairly clear in its wording.

 

Thanks.

 

You are the 3rd person on this thread to note that BoI now advise (by private email only) that for LTR visa holders, foreign income earned to be exempt Thai taxation using Royal Decree-743 (assuming LTR holder a Thai tax resident)  must be remitted in a year other than that in which it was earned.

 

I though the BoI wording "according to the latest information provided by the Revenue department" especially telling.  In essence it hints that they have changed their interpretation from what the vast majority of us were lead to believe when we first applied for our Visa. ie their previous (information) from the Revenue Department may have been different - or there was no previous information.

 

The main impact on me, is I gave inaccurate opinions  to others, as my opinion was based on an out of date BoI policy. I am annoyed now (with myself), that I ended up doing so.   But how can one know when policy changes if no one is told?

 

Its frustrating (from my view) that BoI did not go more public on this "latest information" ... 

 

Hopefully any LTR visa holders, who remitted current year income, can point to a DTA wording that helps make their income exempt Thai tax.  

 

I guess "This is Thailand" but this could be annoying for any financially impacted.

.

4 hours ago, Richard007 said:

Good post John207.

On page 82 of this thread, Thailand J posted “Reply from BOI to my question about tax exemption for LTR visa holders:” which includes a screenshot of that BOI reply and it confirms “…you will receive personal income tax exemption on your overseas income under such Royal Decree even if you have brought overseas income into Thailand in the same tax year.”  Many LTR holders and applicants on this thread received the same feedback from BOI on this issue and relied on those statements in their decision to proceed with their application for the visa.

 

 

Also, all of the marketing material about the LTR program, including the LTR brochure and the LTR website, mention “Tax exemption for overseas income” without any qualifiers.  The lack of any mention of the year income was earned in relation to the tax exemption implies a broad tax exemption for remitted income regardless of the year in which the income was earned.  

 

Thanks for the post and for highlighting some interesting points from page 82. I’m still not entirely clear whether the tax exemption for funds earned and remitted within the same tax year was solely the view of the BOI, or if there was a shift in perspective within the TRD. The fact that the change wasn't publicized makes me lean toward the former, but that’s just speculation on my part.

 

Dozens of thousands retired expats have been living in Thailand for decades, remitting funds that were supposed to be earned in the previous tax year, without paying tax. As far as I know, no audits have been conducted on them to verify compliance with the law. So, it seems like business as usual, and I don’t expect any audits to start anytime soon. However, things might change if global taxation is enacted. In that case, we could see more audit activity.

On 12/19/2025 at 8:38 PM, John207 said:

However, things might change if global taxation is enacted. In that case, we could see more audit activity.

Their pseudo-territorial tax system is not, willingly or not, properly enforced. What makes you think they will be able to successfully enforce an even more complex worldwide taxation?

This return of the "previous year" charade may be good news for people like me who want to pay a token amount of tax in TH in order to be issued with a tax certificate (RO 22). Remitting 400k baht in the middle of the year will generate a 2000 baht tax liability. If (not very likely) I am asked "why did you file in spite of being on an LTR visa?", I can answer: because this 400k remittance was money earned during the same year, unlike my January 2nd remittance.

 

Of course as a matter of principle I don't like this "change" on the part of the BOI either, as it feels like my cherished tax exemption is being downgraded.

22 hours ago, Yumthai said:

Their pseudo-territorial tax system is not, willingly or not, properly enforced. What makes you think they will be able to successfully enforce an even more complex worldwide taxation?

I completely agree that Thailand’s tax system currently suffers from very lax enforcement. However, with the rapid rise of AI and biometric identification, both of which are advancing exponentially year after year, the technical ability to properly enforce personal income tax (including worldwide income) in my view is no longer science fiction for Thailand. A relatively modest team of semi-skilled IT specialists and tax officials could, in the near future, make comprehensive enforcement entirely feasible, something that would have been unthinkable just 5 or 10 years ago.

 

My personal speculation is that the main obstacle right now isn’t technology, but rather resistance from powerful vested interests who benefit from the current lax regime. That may be why Thailand isn’t quite ready to fully enforce worldwide income taxation yet, though, as another poster recently pointed out and speculating in the forum, we might not be too far off either.

 

In any case, worldwide income taxation for residents is clearly the direction most countries are heading. Even Cambodia introduced it years ago, and several African nations (Kenya, Tanzania, etc.) have followed suit on paper. Of course, as far as I know, actual enforcement in many of these places remains almost non existent for now. Still, as a resident, I personally wouldn’t want to bet on them never starting to enforce it.

 

The reason why is, take Cambodia as an example: on paper, severe or repeated failure to declare any assessable income (e.g., under-reporting by 10% or more twice in three years) can lead to 1–5 years in prison plus fines of $25K to $50K in local currency equivalent. The penalties for a first offence are less explicitly spelled out, but they’re clearly draconian. Anyone curious can read Article 242 (page 81) and work back from there for more details on the related articles in the official tax law here:

https://embindpp.gov.in/pdf/menu/Tax-Law-Cambodia-2023.pdf

 

Another major squeeze that’s been tightening since around 2017/18 is the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard CRS. Virtually all compliant banks, brokers, and financial institutions now require a Tax Identification Number TIN from your country of tax residence. If you can’t provide one, they simply refuse to open new accounts or, increasingly, close existing ones. A friend of mine recently had his long standing brokerage account shut down for exactly this reason after the latest Thai tax residency changes kicked in.

 

The bottom line is that the old strategy of just move to another country and stay off the radar is becoming harder and harder every year. The combination of better technology, CRS data exchange, and steadily tougher domestic laws means the window for staying invisible is closing fast.