My Thailand Tax Experience (14 March 2025)

[TheAppletons]

Since I have no assessable income, I didn't file.

 

The TRD officials with whom I did not interact all seemed very nice.

 

When my mail was delivered, there was no audit or demand to appear at the TRD.

 

Departing the country recently, no one at Immigration asked me about taxes nor was I asked for the mythical "tax clearance certificate."

 

In short, I found the experience to be relatively stress-free and I recommend it to all other Thai tax residents who have no assessable income.

[Ben Zioner]

8 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

Departing the country recently, no one at Immigration asked me about taxes nor was I asked for the mythical "tax clearance certificate."

Would be better for you you departed for good otherwise, unless you have an LTR visa, you might be subject to serious questioning in the years to come.

[steve187]

did you visit the tax office, post not clear

[steve187]

1 minute ago, Ben Zioner said:

Would be better for you you departed for good otherwise, unless you have an LTR visa, you might be subject to serious questioning in the years to come.

why

[bkk6060]

I bet the majority of older expats filed nothing. 

[anrcaccount]

4 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I bet the majority of older expats filed nothing. 

 

Yes, you're absolutely right. 

 

95%+ won't file. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[anrcaccount]

27 minutes ago, steve187 said:

did you visit the tax office, post not clear

 

Whoosh, obviously the sarcasm of this post went straight over your head. 

 

Get it now?

 

 

[connda]

22 minutes ago, anrcaccount said:

 

Yes, you're absolutely right. 

 

95%+ won't file. 

 

 

95%+ don't owe Thailand anything.

[proton]

How do you know if income is ' assessable'? does this mean lower than all the allowances

[ronnie50]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Would be better for you you departed for good otherwise, unless you have an LTR visa, you might be subject to serious questioning in the years to come.

The LTR (Wealthy Pensioner) is worth it if you can meet the requirements. At least for peace of mind (no tax) and convenience (fast track and multi-entry visa for 5 years and fewer reporting requirements). I don't have it, but from what others describe (those who do have it) the LTR seems to be the best of what's on offer. It's a good idea from BOI, because it means those who have it aren't restricting their wire transfers to keep an eye on how much they remit.

[anrcaccount]

2 hours ago, connda said:

95%+ don't owe Thailand anything.

Yup, and of the 5% who technically do owe Thailand something, 95%+ of them ain't filing either! 

 

 

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

10 hours ago, anrcaccount said:

Yup, and of the 5% who technically do owe Thailand something, 95%+ of them ain't filing either! 

 

 

 

 

The ones who owe something (IT) to Thailand are the naturalised citizens and permanent residents, all the others, most of us, are just glorified tourists. Getting us to pay income tax is an aberration. But I could understand a flat rate tourist/residence tax something like 200 Baht a day for all; countries like Bhutan charge a lot more. Such a tax would also have the benefit to deter lots of the undesirables we have now. 

[digger70]

19 hours ago, connda said:

95%+ don't owe Thailand anything.

Most of them don't have a TFN   🙏

[Snackbar]

Middle aged tax women said she was single and bored.

 

OTP payment 

 

B133.00

[ronnie50]

I was kind of surprised today to learn that an extended family member (Thai), who is kind of a youngish 'som tam lady' selling her food in a market in a neigbouring province, is coming to Bangkok tomorrow to pay her income tax. It seems the TRD is going through markets and other informal work places, checking ID cards, getting home addresses and sending tax forms to the people. First time that I have heard of this, but maybe it's not new. Anyway, kind of dispels the conventional belief that Thais don't pay any income tax. Hope she doesn't have to pay much.

[offset]

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

I was kind of surprised today to learn that an extended family member (Thai), who is kind of a youngish 'som tam lady' selling her food in a market in a neigbouring province, is coming to Bangkok tomorrow to pay her income tax. It seems the TRD is going through markets and other informal work places, checking ID cards, getting home addresses and sending tax forms to the people. First time that I have heard of this, but maybe it's not new. Anyway, kind of dispels the conventional belief that Thais don't pay any income tax. Hope she doesn't have to pay much.

Most Thai do not earn enough to pay tax their minimum allowance would be 60000 plus first 15000bhat is not taxable, not many Thais earn more than 17500bhat a month

[ronnie50]

2 hours ago, offset said:

Most Thai do not earn enough to pay tax their minimum allowance would be 60000 plus first 15000bhat is not taxable, not many Thais earn more than 17500bhat a month

I know. That's why I said I was surprised. Many Thais even in Bangkok are stuck in the 10-12,000 THB monthly salary. I can't really imagine this relative is making enough to pay. Will see.

[offset]

2 hours ago, offset said:

Most Thai do not earn enough to pay tax their minimum allowance would be 60000 plus first 15000bhat is not taxable, not many Thais earn more than 17500bhat a month

Sorry should read 150,000 baht is not taxable