7 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Why would immigration check that people who have no tax due have submitted a tax return?

Well, geez, such a difficult question, but I'll have a go at answering it, may be, just may be, because it forces the people that do have to pay some tax to do so. 

 

It catches everyone in the tax net. 

 

 

7 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

it’s not a requirement, to submit a tax return if you have no tax due

No, but it may be a requirement that you produce a document from the TRD informing immigration you have no tax to pay. 

 

I have suggested that the tax certificate may cost 300, 500, or 1000 baht, just like the certificate of residence, NO RECEIPT. 

 

So, they get to tax those that should pay tax, and a nice earner straight in the pocket for those that do not have to pay tax. 

 

Time will tell how this unfolds.  

6 hours ago, Yumthai said:

All your life decisions, including deciding you're going to pay tax or not, are in your hands unless you are a muppet.

If that's the case, how did the famous saying about "death and taxes" come to be?

 

Next time you walk into a 7/11, is it in "your hands" to pay the VAT on what you buy?  No, I didn't think so. 

 

6 hours ago, Yumthai said:

Needless to say, all the consequences of your decisions shall be assumed.

Tax departments all around the world continually assess their tax policies and seek to block any loopholes that people use.  Thailand is no different.  This policy will evolve.  2025 is just the start of it. 

 

The Director General was tasked with broadening Thailand's tax base.  I can't see him giving foreigners a free pass. 

 

As far as consequences are concerned, the consequence of staying in Thailand 180 days is you become a resident of Thailand for tax purposes.

 

This means you are now in the tax game, and for those who chose to do nothing, when they should be paying tax, I can see some negative consequences for them in the future. 

6 hours ago, Yumthai said:

IMO less risky than having a visa/extension illegally stamped in your passport.

One's been entrenched in the system for decades, the implementation of this tax policy is new. 

 

One expat speaks to one TRD officer, at one TRD office, gets told "if you get pension, no need pay tax" and that is relied upon by the expat.  No discussion about what country they are from, the DTA, their age, their marital status. 

 

A visit where no ID is shown, no record of the inquiry is kept, no record of the officer spoken is made, no documentary prove the visit ever took place.  

 

Yeah, I call relying on information given at such a meeting, risky. 

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Next time you walk into a 7/11, is it in "your hands" to pay the VAT on what you buy?  No, I didn't think so. 

Indirect taxation is the efficient way to proceed. To me, putting the onus on the individual to declare and pay taxes with very random checks is nonsensical and counterproductive as the figures show.

2 hours ago, Yumthai said:

To me, putting the onus on the individual to declare and pay taxes with very random checks is nonsensical and counterproductive as the figures show.

EXACTLY, but as foreigners here, they can take away that "onus" and force us to produce a certificate from the TRD at extension time.  Why wouldn't they?  It's perfect for them. 

 

They can't do it to Somchai the rice farmer, but they can do it to foreigners.  I have no doubt they will at some stage.