Do I really need to declare tax?

[John Hansen]

Hello everyone,

I am unsure about what I need to do regarding the new tax law.

Currently, I spend more than 180 days in Thailand with my girlfriend as a tourist. Someday, I intend to stay in Thailand permanently with her, but due to financial issues, I will have to wait a few years. It is difficult for me to stay in my home country for 180 days just waiting to return to my girlfriend.

My situation is that I am 45 years old and receiving an early retirement pension from my government due to an illness, so my income comes solely from my government. I know that my country's government has a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Thailand, so I should supposedly be exempt from paying taxes in Thailand.

My questions are:

 

1. Do I still need to go to the tax office and declare anything, even though I am exempt from paying taxes in Thailand?

2. What kind of proof do I need to show that I receive a pension?

3. Will the Thai tax authorities contact my government's tax authority?

4. What happens if I don’t go to the tax office? Will I receive a fine from the Thai government? If so, how would that happen—would it occur when I visit the immigration office to extend my visa?

 

I don’t want any problems in the future when applying for a new visa.

I tried reading other threads in the forum but I didn't find any clear answers regarding my situation

 

Thanks for reading

[ukrules]

Until you reach 50 your more immediate problems will be visas.

 

[TheAppletons]

It will be difficult for anyone to help assess your situation unless you identify your home country (due to differences in DTAs) and the annual amount of pension you receive.  

 

Further, a DTA does not automatically exempt one from paying taxes in Thailand.  The actual wording of the DTA specifies which country has primary or secondary (or any) taxation authority at all.

[bamnutsak]

Did you remit (send/transfer) any monies in 2024?

 

Approximately how much, in THB?

 

Did you transfer this to your named bank account in Thailand?

 

[Moonlover]

5 hours ago, TheAppletons said:

It will be difficult for anyone to help assess your situation unless you identify your home country (due to differences in DTAs) and the annual amount of pension you receive.  

 

Further, a DTA does not automatically exempt one from paying taxes in Thailand.  The actual wording of the DTA specifies which country has primary or secondary (or any) taxation authority at all.

This is the only sensible answer so far. 

 

We are from different countries, having a variety of DTAs, each with their own nuances. We may have become knowledgeable regarding our own situations, but that doesn't mean we can offer any meaningful advice to others. 

 

And that's been the problem all along on this forum, too many pseudo 'experts', throwing in a bit of advice here and a bit more over there, until it's all become total mishmash.

 

I've sorted mine out now and I feel confident in the knowledge that I do not need to file a tax return and I won't be doing so. But that's me, You, @John Hansen are in a completely different situation.

[KhunLA]

Sort of like a ... "Do I need to drive the speed limit ?"  question.

 

And as always ... UP2U 

[Captain Flack]

A flame post has been removed,

 

@redwood1Discuss the topic and stop making false allegations about other posters.

 

Rule 31. You will not publicly discuss other members or post any member's personal information including but not limited to  emails, social media messages, private messages, photos or website details. Contact information is permitted in the Jobs Offers and Jobs Wanted sections, but for the privacy and security of our members we strongly urge the use of the private message function rather the posting of personal contact information.

[JJ-Thailand]

On 3/5/2025 at 8:46 PM, John Hansen said:

1. Do I still need to go to the tax office and declare anything, even though I am exempt from paying taxes in Thailand?

2. What kind of proof do I need to show that I receive a pension?

3. Will the Thai tax authorities contact my government's tax authority?

4. What happens if I don’t go to the tax office? Will I receive a fine from the Thai government? If so, how would that happen—would it occur when I visit the immigration office to extend my visa?

 

The only official information provided by The Thai Revenue Department might give you some answers.

https://www.rd.go.th/fileadmin/user_upload/lorkhor/newspr/2024/FOREIGNERS_PAY_TAX2024.pdf