Thai tax tangle: Expats warned of new rules on overseas income

[TheAppletons]

1 hour ago, potless said:

As far as I know, the answer is no and no indication that they will do. I go for my extension in June. As non tax resident, what would I show them?

 

  Stay right there.....one of the fantasy scenario fiction writers will be along to explain how the "note from Mom" system is going to work.  

 

  "Oh, it's all so simple", until employees working at TRD actually have to perform more work for no reason whatsoever. That will go over well, I'm certain.

[anchadian]

1 hour ago, potless said:

As far as I know, the answer is no and no indication that they will do. I go for my extension in June. As non tax resident, what would I show them?

Surely the simple answer is that you would show them whatever they give you after filing your tax return.

[anchadian]

20 min ago
 

 

[KhunHeineken]

4 hours ago, potless said:

Putting the "sod it" attitude to one side, there are posters on this forum that have stated they have imported enough money to last them several years in order to have no interaction with the tax office. 

There are others that have made themselves non tax resident, myself included, for 2024. In those two scenarios, what paperwork would the aforementioned retirees produce at extension time?

Immigration will see you are outside of Thailand for 6 months, so will not require a certificate. 

 

As for this living off money prior to this tax policy, I have said many times, it may go down the path as the Certificate of Residence.  It should be free, but most pay 300 baht for it. 

 

So, one may not have to pay "tax" but MAY need to "buy" a TRD certificate for immigration.  As I said, it's already happening with the Certificate of Residence, so please don't call it scaremongering. 

 

4 hours ago, potless said:

There are also non "sod its" those who have visited their tax office and been sent away with no T.I.N. because no tax due.

Yes, and if they visited another TRD Office they may have had to pay some tax, however minimal, but at least they walk away with a certificate. 

 

This scenario is called "The Somchai Syndrome."  

 

4 hours ago, potless said:

Would a non resident for tax be refused an extension because they have nothing to show immigration?

No.  That's because immigration know they have been outside of Thailand for 6 months.  

 

4 hours ago, potless said:

Thus, would it be compulsory for everyone on a retirement extension to register with the tax office even if they are not liable for tax or are non resident for tax?

Not everyone, only residents for tax purposes. 

 

Those that owe tax, will pay it.  Those who don't, MAY have to pay 300, 500, or 1000 baht for a certificate.  Cash - no receipt. 

 

4 hours ago, potless said:

Would it be worth the hassle for the tax office and immigration to instigate such a policy?   

They are already paying the staff, so why not get them to collect more money.

 

Many believe the reason none of this tax policy will ever happen is because they think the TRD would have to employee 5000 more staff.  No, the queue just goes out the door, and down the street.

 

4 hours ago, potless said:

I know there used to be a scenario where people generating income in Thailand had to show a tax clearance certificate to leave the country, although I dont think that is enforced.

Watch this space.  

 

In one of the youtube interviews this was mentioned by the TRD guy.  

 

4 hours ago, potless said:

Just a few points to consider in a land where anything is possible of course.

Yes.  We must consider ALL options available to the Thai government, and individually plan for different scenarios, according to our personal circumstances. 

 

What we shouldn't do is simply brand a scenario as scaremonger and completely disregard it.  

 

Did you see the post about the expat who went to a TRD Office, handed over some documents, answered some basic questions, paid a small amount of tax, and got copies of the documents proving he has paid?  Imagine the same guy going to a different TRD Office and being told by Somchai, "No need to file."  No proof of even attending a TRD Office, who he spoke to, and what they told him.  Interesting times ahead.     

[potless]

2 hours ago, anchadian said:

3 hours ago, potless said:

As far as I know, the answer is no and no indication that they will do. I go for my extension in June. As non tax resident, what would I show them?

Surely the simple answer is that you would show them whatever they give you after filing your tax return.

My question was rhetorical.

[KhunHeineken]

8 hours ago, Yumthai said:

I'm not denying, just more concerned about what is probable rather than what is possible to occur.

So, you agree it's possible, but not probable.  Is that correct?  If so, is the possibility worthy of some consideration, and perhaps discussion on the forum? 

[KhunHeineken]

9 hours ago, jwest10 said:

Same as the so-called tax experts all with differing viewpoints and no clear direction this tax business  and all the various Revenue Departments!!!!

There will be chaos, but at the end of the day, the Thai government will turn a baht out of it.  Nothing surer. 

[potless]

11 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Did you see the post about the expat who went to a TRD Office, handed over some documents, answered some basic questions, paid a small amount of tax, and got copies of the documents proving he has paid?  Imagine the same guy going to a different TRD Office and being told by Somchai, "No need to file."  No proof of even attending a TRD Office, who he spoke to, and what they told him.  Interesting times ahead.

On Tuesday at 10.34 am regarding the video interview with the T.R.D. I posted :

A question that should have been asked to the T.R.D. official is "are all your tax officials up to date with the latest information on a nationwide basis?" No chance of that though.

It would have been fun to watch them squirm. I note your other replies thanks.

[Yumthai]

51 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

If so, is the possibility worthy of some consideration, and perhaps discussion on the forum? 

You've made your point long time ago, no need to keep discussing it as long as there is no factual event happening and probably won't.

[Jingthing]

49 minutes ago, potless said:

On Tuesday at 10.34 am regarding the video interview with the T.R.D. I posted :

A question that should have been asked to the T.R.D. official is "are all your tax officials up to date with the latest information on a nationwide basis?" No chance of that though.

It would have been fun to watch them squirm. I note your other replies thanks.

In my opinion, it's obvious and implied that not all offices are up to date. Definitely not and beyond that there remain a number of things to still work out or even changed. I don't think they would have squirmed at all. A simple -- unfortunately not. 

[Gknrd]

As with all the other rules put in place for retiring in Thailand, 99% will pay up. Why, they sold out and have no other place to go. Easy pickings.  Thailand does not want westerners in their country ,they want their neighbors from China, India etc.  I expect the next change will be the 800K in the bank. With inflation it will go up to 1-2 million. That will root out the ones that don't have the income to pay income tax. That way they will boost their bank deposits and their tax base.

[KhunHeineken]

3 hours ago, potless said:

On Tuesday at 10.34 am regarding the video interview with the T.R.D. I posted :

A question that should have been asked to the T.R.D. official is "are all your tax officials up to date with the latest information on a nationwide basis?" No chance of that though.

It would have been fun to watch them squirm. I note your other replies thanks.

He couldn't really ask the hard questions because of Thailand "face." 

 

One has to remember he was interviewing someone quite "connected."  He would know that he can't be seen to ask a question that takes the p*ss, or make him "squirm" even though that is one of the questions that should be asked. 

[KhunHeineken]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

In my opinion, it's obvious and implied that not all offices are up to date. Definitely not and beyond that there remain a number of things to still work out or even changed.

So why are some members of this forum so confident in the words of Somchai at the TRD Office, "No need to file?" 

[KhunHeineken]

1 hour ago, Gknrd said:

As with all the other rules put in place for retiring in Thailand, 99% will pay up. Why, they sold out and have no other place to go. Easy pickings.  Thailand does not want westerners in their country ,they want their neighbors from China, India etc.  I expect the next change will be the 800K in the bank. With inflation it will go up to 1-2 million. That will root out the ones that don't have the income to pay income tax. That way they will boost their bank deposits and their tax base.

I 100% agree. 

 

I have been saying the same for quite some time. 

 

You should prepare yourself for being called a scaremonger, because some people believe if you shoot the messenger, then the message goes away.