Thailand's Expats Urged to Register with TRD for Tax, Says Expert

[connda]

2 hours ago, chiang mai said:

We've been over the numbers that show why the majority of Thai people don't earn enough to pay taxes, numerous times. The average wage is 15k per month or 180k per year, well below the level at which taxes are due.

But still, it's a requirement to file tax returns - but they don't.  Then those of you who are giving us excuses as to why average Thais don't file, then jump up and down in a hissy-fit telling those of us who have foreign income that is exempt by DTAs or that falls below the same tax exemption structure as the majority of Thais - that we need to file or else Uncle Somchai is going to get you!!! 
I'm not filing for the exact same reason as those "majority of Thai people don't earn enough to pay taxes."  Those Thais income are exempt under Thai tax guidelines, and so is what I remit to Thailand.  US Social Security is exempt via the DTA.
I've crunched the numbers and posted the guidelines months ago.  I own the Thai government nothing other than the 7% VAT they deduct from my purchases.  And like every other Thai person who doesn't pay income tax - I do pay Thailand's regressive VAT taxes as well as tariffs and duties on imported goods. 

"You don't pay taxes!!!"
Yeah - I do.  So does every person buying goods in Thailand.

You can't have it both ways.  I have absolutely no tax commitment to the Thai government, just like all of those "majority of Thai people who don't earn enough to pay taxes."  My earning are exempt like a whole lot of other farang expats here, and just like that majority of Thais you mention.

"But you need to file tax forms every year!"
So does every Thai citizen in Thailand.

Again - you people worry wayyyyyy to much.  Ask you local doctor for some diazepam.  You'll relax and feel better. Honest!
Stop beating a dead horse.  And if you are one of those "rich, wealthy, Hi-So farangs" - then hire a tax consultant or get on your private jet and leave the country for 180 days a year.  For the rest of us it's DNA - "Does Not Apply!"

[chiang mai]

14 minutes ago, connda said:

But still, it's a requirement to file tax returns - but they don't.  Then those of you who are giving us excuses as to why average Thais don't file, then jump up and down in a hissy-fit telling those of us who have foreign income that is exempt by DTAs or that falls below the same tax exemption structure as the majority of Thais - that we need to file or else Uncle Somchai is going to get you!!! 
I'm not filing for the exact same reason as those "majority of Thai people don't earn enough to pay taxes."  Those Thais income are exempt under Thai tax guidelines, and so is what I remit to Thailand.  US Social Security is exempt via the DTA.
I've crunched the numbers and posted the guidelines months ago.  I own the Thai government nothing other than the 7% VAT they deduct from my purchases.  And like every other Thai person who doesn't pay income tax - I do pay Thailand's regressive VAT taxes as well as tariffs and duties on imported goods. 

"You don't pay taxes!!!"
Yeah - I do.  So does every person buying goods in Thailand.

You can't have it both ways.  I have absolutely no tax commitment to the Thai government, just like all of those "majority of Thai people who don't earn enough to pay taxes."  My earning are exempt like a whole lot of other farang expats here, and just like that majority of Thais you mention.

"But you need to file tax forms every year!"
So does every Thai citizen in Thailand.

Again - you people worry wayyyyyy to much.  Ask you local doctor for some diazepam.  You'll relax and feel better. Honest!
Stop beating a dead horse.  And if you are one of those "rich, wealthy, Hi-So farangs" - then hire a tax consultant or get on your private jet and leave the country for 180 days a year.  For the rest of us it's DNA - "Does Not Apply!"

"But still, it's a requirement to file tax returns - but they don't" - which is why we have not seen evidence of a fine being levied for not filing, because a majority of Thai's don't earn enough to file. BUT, resident expat foreigners are not Thai's and they earn substantially more than Thai people, even if only counting pension income and the TRD knows this very well. The same excuse for not filing doesn't carry across to foreigners.

[The Cyclist]

1 hour ago, chiang mai said:

"But still, it's a requirement to file tax returns - but they don't" - which is why we have not seen evidence of a fine being levied for not filing, because a majority of Thai's don't earn enough to file. BUT, resident expat foreigners are not Thai's and they earn substantially more than Thai people, even if only counting pension income and the TRD knows this very well. The same excuse for not filing doesn't carry across to foreigners.

 

Apropros to the thread, which some might do well to watch

 

For @Yumthai, especially the part about CRS.

 

 

[JimGant]

3 hours ago, chiang mai said:

In the case of the online system, the system is the assessment officer

Never done an online tax filing, so I could be wrong on this. But, isn't it the same as plunking numbers down into an Excel spreadsheet? You have to determine what those numbers are -- there's no TurboTax-like software system to keep you on the straight and narrow. If so, certainly a long cry from a human assessment officer looking over your shoulder, as the cyclist maintains.

 

No, TRD says self-assessment is the way things are done. Thus, you have to do all your income assessment considerations, and what TEDA numbers are applicable, and what your tax bill ends up to be. Nobody there to double check. Now, assessment officers are mentioned as getting involved, when somewhere down the road your return is flagged for irregularities. Makes sense -- but not up front, in the self-assessment phase.