Tax advisers upcountry for the tax resident staying over 180 days- any recommendations?

[Scouse123]

Yesterday I tried a number of times to contact Expat tax Thailand, based in Bangkok, and their website was not working correctly to submit my details. Their website was full of glitches.

 

After this I got to thinking, that with living in Isaarn, I was then wondering if any people who are living up this way have any recommendations for a straightforward tax adviser that is closer to home?

 

Bangkok was quoting 7,500 baht for a simple basic service, staying within the new rules and submitting the tax forms, which, if it must be done, sounded OK.

 

However, they quote 7,000 to get a Thai tax number, which I think I can obtain myself easily and FOC.

 

I am just looking for the basic service, informing me of my deductible allowances and submitting the forms. I don't believe I will have tax liability.

 

Also, I have been with my partner for 28 years but never married, we live together, houses and cars in her name together, does anybody actually know if she qualifies as a Spouse for tax purposes?????

 

I was going to apply for a tax ID, but I have heard some members have been turned out at various revenue departments, because these departments not being up to speed with these new tax rules, or know nothing about them.

 

Should I just wait for further clarifications from the government announcements?

 

https://www.expattaxthailand.com/ignoring-thailands-new-tax-rules-is-it-worth-the-risk/

 

 

 

[IvorBiggun2]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

Should I just wait for further clarifications from the government announcements?

Yes

[StraightTalk]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Yesterday I tried a number of times to contact Expat tax Thailand, based in Bangkok, and their website was not working correctly to submit my details. Their website was full of glitches.

 

After this I got to thinking, that with living in Isaarn, I was then wondering if any people who are living up this way have any recommendations for a straightforward tax adviser that is closer to home?

 

Bangkok was quoting 7,500 baht for a simple basic service, staying within the new rules and submitting the tax forms, which, if it must be done, sounded OK.

 

However, they quote 7,000 to get a Thai tax number, which I think I can obtain myself easily and FOC.

 

I am just looking for the basic service, informing me of my deductible allowances and submitting the forms. I don't believe I will have tax liability.

 

Also, I have been with my partner for 28 years but never married, we live together, houses and cars in her name together, does anybody actually know if she qualifies as a Spouse for tax purposes?????

 

I was going to apply for a tax ID, but I have heard some members have been turned out at various revenue departments, because these departments not being up to speed with these new tax rules, or know nothing about them.

 

Should I just wait for further clarifications from the government announcements?

 

https://www.expattaxthailand.com/ignoring-thailands-new-tax-rules-is-it-worth-the-risk/

 

 

 

Yes, it’s wise to wait for announcements expected before the end of the year. You then can obtain a Tax ID for free from your local revenue office. To the best of my knowledge, Thailand does not recognize de facto relationships.

"I don't believe I will have tax liability."

I think the spreadsheet for calculating taxes provided by 'pauku1' is pretty nifty.
<https://aseannow.com/topic/1318120-revenue-department-contact-reports/#comment-18647010>

[GypsyT]

What's the lower limit you must start to pay?

How many % tax of it?

 

[EVENKEEL]

9 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Yesterday I tried a number of times to contact Expat tax Thailand, based in Bangkok, and their website was not working correctly to submit my details. Their website was full of glitches.

 

After this I got to thinking, that with living in Isaarn, I was then wondering if any people who are living up this way have any recommendations for a straightforward tax adviser that is closer to home?

 

Bangkok was quoting 7,500 baht for a simple basic service, staying within the new rules and submitting the tax forms, which, if it must be done, sounded OK.

 

However, they quote 7,000 to get a Thai tax number, which I think I can obtain myself easily and FOC.

 

I am just looking for the basic service, informing me of my deductible allowances and submitting the forms. I don't believe I will have tax liability.

 

Also, I have been with my partner for 28 years but never married, we live together, houses and cars in her name together, does anybody actually know if she qualifies as a Spouse for tax purposes?????

 

I was going to apply for a tax ID, but I have heard some members have been turned out at various revenue departments, because these departments not being up to speed with these new tax rules, or know nothing about them.

 

Should I just wait for further clarifications from the government announcements?

 

https://www.expattaxthailand.com/ignoring-thailands-new-tax-rules-is-it-worth-the-risk/

 

 

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

After 28 years, you probably have a pink ID.  You use that number to file tax returns, and don't require a separate TIN.

 

You can easily file in person at your local TRD.  Take your papers, sit down with a staffer, and they'll fill in the forms for you.  Most likely, you won't have enough assessable income, and they'll tell you that you don't need to file.

 

If you prefer to file online, have your partner contact the tax office to have your pink ID activated for the online system.  Once setup, you can file online in about 10 minutes.

 

You get additional exemptions and deductions for insurance for a spouse, but not a partner.

[Scouse123]

6 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

After 28 years, you probably have a pink ID.  You use that number to file tax returns, and don't require a separate TIN.

 

You can easily file in person at your local TRD.  Take your papers, sit down with a staffer, and they'll fill in the forms for you.  Most likely, you won't have enough assessable income, and they'll tell you that you don't need to file.

 

If you prefer to file online, have your partner contact the tax office to have your pink ID activated for the online system.  Once setup, you can file online in about 10 minutes.

 

You get additional exemptions and deductions for insurance for a spouse, but not a partner.

 

 

Thank you very much indeed.

 

Yes, got the pink ID

 

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

8 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Yes, got the pink ID

 

Then you're almost set.  You and partner must visit your local TRD office and request to have that number activated for online filing.  The local office can NOT do that.  They will need to call the provincial office in Korat to have that accomplished.  Takes about ten minutes over the phone.  If you need assistance call the help line 1161.

 

You can still file returns for 2021-2023 online if you wish.  Fast and easy if you have your partner sitting sidesaddle to translate.  Check other tax threads on the forum to see what deductions/allowances you qualify for, then you determine which if any of your remittances are assessable.  

 

Filing late for 2023 (in my experience) incurs a late filing fee of 200 baht paid online by bank transfer, but you can still claim a refund of interest withholding for 2023. 

 

Late returns for 2021 and 2022 did not incur late fees, but no interest tax was refunded.  Bank interest letters are not needed to file, 2023 interest was refunded.  I got a letter from TRD later asking for the bank letter for 2021 and 2022, uploaded a photo online, but no further requirements.  I assume TRD has access to bank tax records for 2023 but not prior years.

[Scouse123]

2 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Then you're almost set.  You and partner must visit your local TRD office and request to have that number activated for online filing.  The local office can NOT do that.  They will need to call the provincial office in Korat to have that accomplished.  Takes about ten minutes over the phone.  If you need assistance call the help line 1161.

 

You can still file returns for 2021-2023 online if you wish.  Fast and easy if you have your partner sitting sidesaddle to translate.  Check other tax threads on the forum to see what deductions/allowances you qualify for, then you determine which if any of your remittances are assessable.  

 

Filing late for 2023 (in my experience) incurs a late filing fee of 200 baht paid online by bank transfer, but you can still claim a refund of interest withholding for 2023. 

 

Late returns for 2021 and 2022 did not incur late fees, but no interest tax was refunded.  Bank interest letters are not needed to file, 2023 interest was refunded.  I got a letter from TRD later asking for the bank letter for 2021 and 2022, uploaded a photo online, but no further requirements.  I assume TRD has access to bank tax records for 2023 but not prior years.

 

Hi,

 

I think I will wait further information then go to the revenue office, which is nearby my home to file.

 

We are a small town and I prefer the option of getting assistance from an officer there and filing the tax return with hard copies. They are quite a helpful friendly bunch here.

 

I see no point in filing 2021-2023 when the new rules are only coming into force this year.

 

I have no bank interest to reclaim or declare, I transferred all large sums out a long time ago. I only keep the 800K for extensions and living allowances money in Thailand now.

 

Although I have been with my partner 28 years now, I believe I must file as a single man, even though she gets a salary from me, because we never married.

[NoDisplayName]

1 minute ago, Scouse123 said:

I have no bank interest to reclaim or declare, I transferred all large sums out a long time ago. I only keep the 800K for extensions and living allowances money in Thailand now.

 

No bank interest?

[Scouse123]

13 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

No bank interest?

 

I don't think so, and whatever I had if any, would be a fiddly amount not worth mentioning.

 

I keep any decent sums left these days in Cambodia and have done for a long time, in interest bearing USD accounts.

 

I just want to file and remain in the new rules, I have drastically cut my bank transfers to Thailand over the last few months.

 

If I have until March, I can wait for further direction or information being released for foreigners, then file in January.

 

The biggest outlays I have is partners salary, car payments on new car which are all but paid and health insurance.

 

Everything else is mundane household expenses.

 

Will I need to take this years bank statements for the whole year with me to the Revenue office, showing incomings????

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Scouse123]

Guys,

 

I purchased a new car and have paid monthly, but it is in my partners name, which is fine.

 

Can those payments which have all been paid out of my bank be declared as a ' gift ' to my partner, the car is in her name and it is in effect a gift from me, which I wouldn't be taking or asking for back, so it's a permanent gift.

[NoDisplayName]

21 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Will I need to take this years bank statements for the whole year with me to the Revenue office, showing incomings????

 

No, it's really very simple.  Most likely the TRD staffer will ask you why you want to file, as it's apparently a very rare thing for foreign expats to actually pay tax unless running a business here.

 

No papers or documents likely to be requested.  You would say "I brought in XXX baht."  They'll ask "Salary or Pension?"  You say "I brought in savings."  They'll say "No need file."

 

Currently YOU determine what (if any) of your remittances are assessable.  Currently there are no blanks on the forms for foreign remittances.  You would only be entering capital gains or salary (pension probably covered by DTA), if that's what YOU determined that you brought in.

 

There may be updated forms coming before the end of the year.  Or there may not. 

 

If you have THAI health insurance, the premiums are deductible.

[quake]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

No papers or documents likely to be requested.  You would say "I brought in XXX baht."  They'll ask "Salary or Pension?"  You say "I brought in savings."  They'll say "No need file."

 

What's the definition of savings with regard to the Thai revenue department. ?

Your advice may not hold water if questions were asked down the road.

People need to be 100% sure what is savings and what is still classed as income, by the Thai revenue department.

When remitted to Thailand.

 

 

[youreavinalaff]

17 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

After 28 years, you probably have a pink ID. 

Why?

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, quake said:

 

What's the definition of savings with regard to the Thai revenue department. ?

Your advice may not hold water if questions were asked down the road.

People need to be 100% sure what is savings and what is still classed as income, by the Thai revenue department.

When remitted to Thailand.

 

 

 

Currently, and there is no indication this will change, YOU determine which of your remittances are assessable, and YOU determine if you owe tax, and YOU determine if you will file a return.

 

The times I've spoken with TRD staffers, the conversation has gone as indicated in the above post.  The term "savings" has never been questioned, and no supporting documentation has been requested.

[quake]

42 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Currently, and there is no indication this will change, YOU determine which of your remittances are assessable, and YOU determine if you owe tax, and YOU determine if you will file a return.

 

The times I've spoken with TRD staffers, the conversation has gone as indicated in the above post.  The term "savings" has never been questioned, and no supporting documentation has been requested.

 

Good luck

There is two very long threads about tax.

go have a read.

as we all know its clear as mud now.

and we do not hold all the cards.

Your naivety is fantastic.

Good luck.

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Do not IMO lodge a tax return, and definitely do not engage a lawyer to do it for you as an Expat - unless you are working and/or earning money in Thailand.  WAIT.

 

The new Thai Govt has made no announcements about this issue - yet - while the Malaysian Govt has re-iterated that overseas remittances into Malaysia are tax free (if taxed back home). Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia dont tax foreign transfers of Expats. 

 

If you engage a lawyer they will make sure you have to lodge a tax return now, and do so every year going forward - to get their money from you.  7000 Baht to get a TIN is a total ripoff and there is a lot of them scammers out there - stay away and wait.

 

The TRD will release their annual lodgement forms and advice documents soon - hopefully in that will be their requirements. Stay across things and wait - this forum will have updates and arguments - then decide yourself what is the way to go. This aint Kansas - the lawyers here are cowboys and most will rip you off - it is their modus operandi (MO) - especially when it comes to Farangs. 

[Scouse123]

17 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Do not IMO lodge a tax return, and definitely do not engage a lawyer to do it for you as an Expat - unless you are working and/or earning money in Thailand.  WAIT.

 

The new Thai Govt has made no announcements about this issue - yet - while the Malaysian Govt has re-iterated that overseas remittances into Malaysia are tax free (if taxed back home). Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia dont tax foreign transfers of Expats. 

 

If you engage a lawyer they will make sure you have to lodge a tax return now, and do so every year going forward - to get their money from you.  7000 Baht to get a TIN is a total ripoff and there is a lot of them scammers out there - stay away and wait.

 

The TRD will release their annual lodgement forms and advice documents soon - hopefully in that will be their requirements. Stay across things and wait - this forum will have updates and arguments - then decide yourself what is the way to go. This aint Kansas - the lawyers here are cowboys and most will rip you off - it is their modus operandi (MO) - especially when it comes to Farangs. 

 

 

Heard you loud and clear, thanks.