Revenue Department to amend tax on foreign income remittance

[samtam]

35 minutes ago, Zaphod Priest said:

 

Not claimed - at least not claimed correctly.  Banks provide summary information only.

 

29 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

CRS & FACTA reports provide mainly accounts balances and do not apply within Thailand banks and residents but between different tax authorities (countries).

 

@Zaphod Priest & @Yumthai

 

Noted, thank you. I obviously misunderstood some of the hundreds of thousands of claims made over the last 18 months that these (CRS & FACTA) were of themselves serious tax evasion tools.

[redwood1]

On 5/25/2025 at 12:26 PM, K2938 said:

I doubt that very much.  They probably just rephrased the Bkk Post article.  But since nobody at the moment really knows what will be happening, we just have to wait.

 

 

What?.....We just have to wait?

 

What is this groundhog day or some thing....

 

The very first day they announced the taxes....Everyone on this forum agreed we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT" for the details..

 

6 months later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

1 year later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

Going on 2 years later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

Folks any momentum this tax had at the beginning has long long ago been frittered away....

 

The Thais realized some time ago that they got in WAY over their head (hopelessly so)  

with trying on this income tax, especially with the farang expats...

 

So any of you thinking   we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT" for clarity...

 

I think you will ' HAVE TO WAIT" for a VERY VERY long time....Most likely forever...

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, samtam said:

 

Thank you! I thought it might get transferred by PromptPay, but no matter, there is a K Bank and others in the vicinity. I will deposit it into the nearest if I can.

 

Interestingly, I discovered that because I had used my pink ID to register for a TIN, (and it's the same number), the TRD officer said that was not registered with my bank, (which is correct, as I only obtained it earlier this year), so it is not specified on the Tax Cert, and this caused a delay, as they couldn't reconcile it. Without it, there is no digital connection between bank and TRD, (despite the claims of CRS & FACTA being able to monitor every transaction).

 

Anyway, I guess we'll wait to see how the last TRD ambiguous blah about the need for tax filing in this tax year, and perhaps it will all have died a death, as some suggest from the unclear statement, and we go back to how things were pre Por.161 & Por.162.

 

Foreigner banking is complicated.  I have BKK Bank, went online and registered with PromptPay using old pinkie.  That was successful, but since my bank account is not set up with pinkie in the profile, I can't get automatic deposit of tax refund and cannot end withholding of tax on interest.  My local branch tells me I can't add pink to existing accounts, nor can I use pink to open a new account. 

 

For that reason I opened a KT account solely for tax refunds.  Now that (others claim) tax refunds can be deposited into any bank, I can close it.

 

As to going back to "pre Por.161 & Por.162", there's a new hub of all hubs proposal under consideration.  If legislation currently allegedly being written is passed, income earned after 31 Dec 2024 can be remitted free of tax in same or following year.  Unclear if this will be a rolling 2-year window to remit income tax free.  Pre-2024 remitted income will remain tax free, and only 2024 income will be subject to the last ruling, but that would have been taxed under the old rules if remitted in 2024 anyway.

 

It's getting to be as difficult to plan income remittances in Thailand under these ever-changing rules as it is for businesses in the US to plan future purchases and expenditures under TACO tariffs.

[samtam]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

Foreigner banking is complicated.  I have BKK Bank, went online and registered with PromptPay using old pinkie.  That was successful, but since my bank account is not set up with pinkie in the profile, I can't get automatic deposit of tax refund and cannot end withholding of tax on interest.  My local branch tells me I can't add pink to existing accounts, nor can I use pink to open a new account. 

 

Yes, a bit complicated. I have PromptPay on my bank accounts, but bank accounts opened with passport and they have no record of my pink ID, nor would they accept it, (AFAIK). I'll just deposit the WHT refund cheque.

 

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

As to going back to "pre Por.161 & Por.162", there's a new hub of all hubs proposal under consideration.  If legislation currently allegedly being written is passed, income earned after 31 Dec 2024 can be remitted free of tax in same or following year.  Unclear if this will be a rolling 2-year window to remit income tax free.  Pre-2024 remitted income will remain tax free, and only 2024 income will be subject to the last ruling, but that would have been taxed under the old rules if remitted in 2024 anyway.

 

I agree, awaiting clarification as in "waiting for Godot", I imagine. I shall continue to retain information as I did for 2024, (none of which has been required). When there's something unequivocal, (a man can dream), I will decide how to proceed with document retention etc.

[motdaeng]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

For that reason I opened a KT account solely for tax refunds.  Now that (others claim) tax refunds can be deposited into any bank, I can close it.

 

my advice: don’t close any existing bank account. you never know, you might need it in the future ...
just keep a few thousand baht in it ...

[K2938]

56 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

my advice: don’t close any existing bank account. you never know, you might need it in the future ...
just keep a few thousand baht in it ...

Good idea, but if you keep only a few thousand baht in it, they might charge you for the account or close it entirely

[Yumthai]

1 hour ago, motdaeng said:

my advice: don’t close any existing bank account. you never know, you might need it in the future ...
just keep a few thousand baht in it ...

Good advice, considering banking is going nuts.

[offset]

Just for info should be able to cash tax checks at any Thai bank as stated on the check

 

I have just cashed my checks in Krungsri bank (yellow bank)

[Everyman]

On 6/1/2025 at 10:33 PM, redwood1 said:

 

What?.....We just have to wait?

 

What is this groundhog day or some thing....

 

The very first day they announced the taxes....Everyone on this forum agreed we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT" for the details..

 

6 months later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

1 year later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

Going on 2 years later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

Folks any momentum this tax had at the beginning has long long ago been frittered away....

 

The Thais realized some time ago that they got in WAY over their head (hopelessly so)  

with trying on this income tax, especially with the farang expats...

 

So any of you thinking   we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT" for clarity...

 

I think you will ' HAVE TO WAIT" for a VERY VERY long time....Most likely forever...

 

Exactly. We waited. Nothing happened. Story over. 

[Zaphod Priest]

There's a rather clearer account of the proposed changes in today's Bangkok Post.

 

Quote

 

New approach to overseas income aims to spur inflows

The Revenue Department is moving towards granting tax exemptions for income sourced abroad that is promptly remitted to Thailand

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3041421/new-approach-to-overseas-income-aims-to-spur-inflows

 

 

[KhunHeineken]

On 6/2/2025 at 5:33 AM, redwood1 said:

 

What?.....We just have to wait?

 

What is this groundhog day or some thing....

 

The very first day they announced the taxes....Everyone on this forum agreed we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT" for the details..

 

6 months later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

1 year later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

Going on 2 years later...we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT"

 

Folks any momentum this tax had at the beginning has long long ago been frittered away....

 

The Thais realized some time ago that they got in WAY over their head (hopelessly so)  

with trying on this income tax, especially with the farang expats...

 

So any of you thinking   we will 'JUST HAVE TO WAIT" for clarity...

 

I think you will ' HAVE TO WAIT" for a VERY VERY long time....Most likely forever...

I didn't "wait" but what I did do was minimize my remittances using a variety of methods, then went to an agent and declared, filed, paid a small amount of Thai tax, got a document proving I did, so I'm all good for what they may or may not do in the near or distant future. 

 

I have no problem with those who are "waiting" or those who did nothing, but TIT, and you take your chances.  The reality is, foreigners can't say they were not warned, and ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law here. 

[redwood1]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

I didn't "wait" but what I did do was minimize my remittances using a variety of methods, then went to an agent and declared, filed, paid a small amount of Thai tax, got a document proving I did, so I'm all good for what they may or may not do in the near or distant future. 

 

I have no problem with those who are "waiting" or those who did nothing, but TIT, and you take your chances.  The reality is, foreigners can't say they were not warned, and ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law here. 

 

Well look what the cat drug in....Its old Khun.....We have sure missed your endless postings (Despite many people asking you to stop) every day about how tax and visas will be tied at the hip..  ...

You certainly set a fine example for the rest of us lazy slackers....lol

And you also set a fine example for the vast majority of Thais who have never filed in their life...

 

They will be figuring out this unholy tax mess about the same time as they stamp out the vast sea of corruption around here, which will take a very looong looong time...

 

 

 

[KhunHeineken]

On 6/4/2025 at 6:46 AM, redwood1 said:

 

Well look what the cat drug in....Its old Khun.....We have sure missed your endless postings (Despite many people asking you to stop) every day about how tax and visas will be tied at the hip..  ...

You certainly set a fine example for the rest of us lazy slackers....lol

And you also set a fine example for the vast majority of Thais who have never filed in their life...

 

They will be figuring out this unholy tax mess about the same time as they stamp out the vast sea of corruption around here, which will take a very looong looong time...

 

 

 

How about you play the post, not the poster. 

 

The law is there.  We have all been informed about it.  Many other countries are doing similar. 

 

I minimized my remittances and paid a small amount of tax.  I have a magic piece of paper to prove it. 

 

If / when they stop foreigners from exiting Thailand if they haven't got a tax clearance, I'll be fine.  They used to do this many years ago.  What's stopping them from bringing it back? 

 

Then, they have enforcement through visa extensions.  Well debated, but once again, I'll be fine.  

 

You just keep waiting and waiting.  It will all go away.   

[Yumthai]

9 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I minimized my remittances and paid a small amount of tax.  I have a magic piece of paper to prove it. 

 

If / when they stop foreigners from exiting Thailand if they haven't got a tax clearance, I'll be fine.  They used to do this many years ago.  What's stopping them from bringing it back? 

 

Then, they have enforcement through visa extensions.  Well debated, but once again, I'll be fine.  

You're trying to cover your a$$ for something that will never happen, funnily enough your passport is full of stamps dodgily obtained.

If Thailand wants to screw you, they will as they can dig full records of what you shady did. But don't worry much it won't happen either.

[JohnnyBD]

31 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I minimized my remittances and paid a small amount of tax.  I have a magic piece of paper to prove it. 

If / when they stop foreigners from exiting Thailand if they haven't got a tax clearance, I'll be fine.  They used to do this many years ago.  What's stopping them from bringing it back? 

Did you get a tax clearance certificate or just a receipt showing you filed and paid taxes? I haven't read about any foreigners being stopped from leaving the country. Maybe the old law requiring a tax clearance certificate was for those who actually worked in Thailand, and not really for foreigners who just remitted money from overseas.

[KhunHeineken]

5 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

You're trying to cover your a$$ for something that will never happen

Who would ever think that covering your a$$ in Thailand is a prudent think to do?  

 

6 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

funnily enough your passport is full of stamps dodgily obtained.

They are the same stamps as you have, are they not? 

 

6 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

If Thailand wants to screw you, they will

Exactly why I actually wanted to pay a few baht tax, so I can not be extorted at a later point in time. 

 

7 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

they can dig full records of what you shady did

Or, they can simply stop agents from providing their dodgy services.  In which case, I'll have to make adjustments. 

 

8 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

But don't worry much it won't happen either.

Maybe, maybe not.  TiT.  Be prepared for everything and anything here.

 

It's funny how you try to put an argument across that because one can get an extension without 800k baht in a Thai bank, this is the reason they will never link paying resident tax to extensions.  I would not be surprised if immigration require it and make yet another "service" agents can offer for which immigration receive "tea money." You do know how things work here, don't you?   

[impulse]

On 6/2/2025 at 3:43 PM, motdaeng said:

 

my advice: don’t close any existing bank account. you never know, you might need it in the future ...
just keep a few thousand baht in it ...

 

And cycle a few thousand through it occasionally.  Just to keep it active.

 

 

[KhunHeineken]

10 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

Did you get a tax clearance certificate or just a receipt showing you filed and paid taxes.

Told the agent I wanted both, so I believe I have both. 

 

11 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

I haven't heard or read about any foreigners being stopped from leaving the country. I assume the old law requiring a tax clearance certificate was for those who actually worked in Thailand, and not really for foreigners who just remitted money from overseas.

It was an old law.  It has not been implemented for years. 

 

What's stopping them from bringing it back?

 

I said months ago, I would not be surprised to see a tax desk sitting next to the overstay desk at the airport.  Cha-Ching. 

[impulse]

Not hard to imagine the Thai authorities expecting a reduction in hard currency available if the tariff negotiations go south. 

 

If they no longer have that $50B (+/-) trade surplus, they're going to have to make up that shortfall somehow.  And pronto.

 

It'll be interesting to see if they flip or they flop when it all settles out.

 

Edit:  I'd add that Thailand saw a huge increase in the surplus from April to April ('24 to '25), but I suspect a lot of that is trans shipments and the US isn't going to allow that for very long.  But we'll see...

 

[Yumthai]

19 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

They are the same stamps as you have, are they not? 

Nope. My Immigration track record is crystal clear. Everyone is aware Immigration laws are rather consistently enforced in Thailand.

 

23 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Or, they can simply stop agents from providing their dodgy services. 

Way easier to crack down on foreigners.

 

24 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

It's funny how you try to put an argument across that because one can get an extension without 800k baht in a Thai bank, this is the reason they will never link paying resident tax to extensions.  I would not be surprised if immigration require it and make yet another "service" agents can offer for which immigration receive "tea money." You do know how things work here, don't you?

If you believe Immigration will require a tax certificate at some point and an agent "service" will be provided, then just pay the agent when this occurs. Willing to prevent things in Thailand is nonsensical.

[KhunHeineken]

3 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

Nope.

Yep.  Same stamps. 

 

4 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

Way easier to crack down on foreigners.

Nope.

 

Just order their IO's they can not accept applications / money from agents and the whole system stops. 

 

5 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

If you believe Immigration will require a tax certificate at some point and an agent "service" will be provided, then just pay the agent when this occurs.

I did.

 

Now, who is more legal, tax wise, me, or you? 

[CallumWK]

46 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

59 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

funnily enough your passport is full of stamps dodgily obtained.

They are the same stamps as you have, are they not? 

 

No they are not.

 

I have a friend who has a good friend working at immigration (not a desk officer)

Another friend had an issue with an extension, and had his previous extension done by an agent.

They went to see the IO, he simply glanced at the stamp in my friend's passport, and immediately knew which agent had done the extension

[samtam]

On 6/1/2025 at 6:47 PM, NoDisplayName said:

 

Nothing to fill out.  Take the letter and your passport/pinkID to Krung Thai to redeem.

 

Be sure to read the letter.  There is at least one report that it is now possible to take the letter to any bank to cash or deposit into your account.

 

https://fitravelife.com/life/money/receive-tax-refund-for-income-declaration-of-year-2021/

 

I have received the letter, but it is different from yours, in that it gives me 3 options to receive the money, (at Krung Thai Bank):

1)  is probably not applicable, as my bank account (and therefore PromptPay) is registered through my passport, (but whether that is my "national ID number", I don't know).

2) is not applicable, as I do not have a Krung Thai account.

3) I do not know what an e-Money card is, or how to use it.

 

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Told the agent I wanted both, so I believe I have both. 

 

Please post a photo of the majikal paper with personal details omitted.

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, samtam said:

I have received the letter, but it is different from yours, in that it gives me 3 options to receive the money

 

That appears to be same letter as mine.  3 options at KT bank.

 

There was at least one poster that received a new version of the letter allowing deposit at any bank.

 

Maybe deposit into any bank is being rolled out province by province, or maybe it's everywhere but my tax office (Korat) is using up old stock forms....

[samtam]

31 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

That appears to be same letter as mine.  3 options at KT bank.

 

There was at least one poster that received a new version of the letter allowing deposit at any bank.

 

Maybe deposit into any bank is being rolled out province by province, or maybe it's everywhere but my tax office (Korat) is using up old stock forms....

 

Do you think option 1 allows for use of passport, or does it mean Pink ID, (which is same as TIN)? (I have not registered my Pink ID / TIN with my bank).

[Everyman]

3 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

No they are not.

 

I have a friend who has a good friend working at immigration (not a desk officer)

Another friend had an issue with an extension, and had his previous extension done by an agent.

They went to see the IO, he simply glanced at the stamp in my friend's passport, and immediately knew which agent had done the extension

 

yes because the immigration officer’s name is written on it. 

[CallumWK]

Just now, Everyman said:

 

yes because the immigration officer’s name is written on it. 

 

That immigration officer name will be on many more stamps, isn't it.

He linked it to the agent used, not the IO

[Yumthai]

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Now, who is more legal, tax wise, me, or you?

Me. I have no assessable income in Thailand and do not file accordingly.

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, samtam said:

 

Do you think option 1 allows for use of passport, or does it mean Pink ID, (which is same as TIN)? (I have not registered my Pink ID / TIN with my bank).

 

Every bank branch exists in its own universe, with its own set of rules.

 

Take whatever documentation you have.  Passport and pinkie or TIN card.  Yellow book if you got it.  Passport number does not appear on the refund letter.

 

Couple years ago, I took my first refund letter to KT but they would not issue cash.  Required to open an account for deposit.

 

Thems was the rules at my branch in my town on that day with that day's clerk.  YKMV!