I thought not. I heard it had been muted but not actually happening yet.  However someone I met claimed otherwise base on something he read here.

 

https://unionspace.co.th/personal-tax-return-tax-clearance-certificate.php#:~:text=If you're a foreigner,the immigration officer on exit.

 

Don't want to turn up at the airport without all my ducks in a row.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies  or recent experiences.

23 minutes ago, trucking said:

I thought not. I heard it had been muted but not actually happening yet.  However someone I met claimed otherwise base on something he read here.

 

https://unionspace.co.th/personal-tax-return-tax-clearance-certificate.php#:~:text=If you're a foreigner,the immigration officer on exit.

 

When you open the link, the information they post at the top of the page is all completely false.

 

Company seems to be a complete scam targeting the gullible.

 

And to answer your question, No, a tax clearance cert is not required. It's possible that could change, and if it does it will be major news

I checked out the page to see if Mike Lister had his fingerprints somewhere. These people should be imprisoned. 

1 hour ago, Smokin Joe said:

 

When you open the link, the information they post at the top of the page is all completely false.

 

Company seems to be a complete scam targeting the gullible.

 

And to answer your question, No, a tax clearance cert is not required. It's possible that could change, and if it does it will be major news

 

I seemed that way to me too but thought it best to check as I don't do much social networking and might have missed something here in the land of moving goal posts.

 

Cheers .

Sounds like a barstol story.

No

Immigration rarely checks unless prompted by the Revenue Department.

 

•  Short-term residents or retirees with no Thai-sourced income are often exempt anyway

 

•  Even long-term residents may leave without issue unless flagged in the system.

 

 

It is true, but like most things in Thailand........

 

 

It seems you are only likely to get caught (immigration can stop you) if you are flagged and owe money.

2 hours ago, Smokin Joe said:

When you open the link, the information they post at the top of the page is all completely false.

 

Company seems to be a complete scam targeting the gullible.

 

Maybe it's run by Khun Heineken

For the bonehead thumbs down moron....

 

The requirement for foreigners to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate before departing Thailand is **not new**—it’s rooted in **Section 4 Quarter of the Thai Revenue Code**, which has been in place for decades. The enforcement and procedural details were further clarified in a **Director-General Notification issued on 7 May 1991**, which remains the basis for current practice (https://www.rd.go.th/english/23518.html?

 

 Historical Context
 **Pre-1991**: The concept existed but was inconsistently enforced. It was especially relevant for long-term residents and those visibly working without formal permits.

 **1991 Notification**: This formalized the requirement and outlined exemptions (e.g., short stays under 90 days without income).

**Modern Enforcement**: Immigration and Revenue authorities now coordinate more closely, especially for foreigners with business or employment ties.

 

So while it might feel sudden or obscure, the law has been quietly shaping exit procedures for over 30 years. 

2 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

For the bonehead thumbs down moron....

 

The requirement for foreigners to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate before departing Thailand is **not new**—it’s rooted in **Section 4 Quarter of the Thai Revenue Code**, which has been in place for decades. The enforcement and procedural details were further clarified in a **Director-General Notification issued on 7 May 1991**, which remains the basis for current practice (https://www.rd.go.th/english/23518.html?

 

 Historical Context
 **Pre-1991**: The concept existed but was inconsistently enforced. It was especially relevant for long-term residents and those visibly working without formal permits.

 **1991 Notification**: This formalized the requirement and outlined exemptions (e.g., short stays under 90 days without income).

**Modern Enforcement**: Immigration and Revenue authorities now coordinate more closely, especially for foreigners with business or employment ties.

 

So while it might feel sudden or obscure, the law has been quietly shaping exit procedures for over 30 years. 

 

 

....and it still doesn't apply to 90% of expat long stayers.

4 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

....and it still doesn't apply to 90% of expat long stayers.

 

If you go by the book, file a tax return, don't owe any tax, get a certificate.............. you are in the clear.

 

Legally, extremely doubtful, anyone staying more than to 180+ days could be prevented from leaving if that they don't present that certificate.

 

So it will apply to expats......if immigration want it to.

3 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

If you go by the book, file a tax return, don't owe any tax, get a certificate.............. you are in the clear.

 

Legally, extremely doubtful, anyone staying more than to 180+ days could be prevented from leaving if that they don't present that certificate.

 

So it will apply to expats......if immigration want it to.

 

 

If I don't generate income in Thailand I am in the clear.

 

That is all I need to know.

Just now, hotandsticky said:

 

 

If I don't generate income in Thailand I am in the clear.

 

That is all I need to know.

 

 

Agree......but unless you file a tax return to show you owe nothing and then get the certificate to show you owe nothing they could prevent you from travelling.

 

I will not be doing any of that

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Agree......but unless you file a tax return to show you owe nothing and then get the certificate to show you owe nothing they could prevent you from travelling.

 

I will not be doing any of that

 

 

I don't need to file a tax return if I don't have reportable income.

3 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

I don't need to file a tax return if I don't have reportable income.

 

 

 

If you are a tax resident (180+ days in Thailand), then:

 

•  You are expected to file a return, even if you have no assessable income, to formally declare that status.

•  Filing a zero-income return helps avoid future complications, especially if you later remit foreign income or apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate.

 

Again, I will not be doing any of this......but that does not negate the fact that you are supposed to or "have to"......to comply with Thai tax laws

Don't go giving them ideas!

 

It used to be long ago one needed a Tax Clearance Certificate to exit the country. The system was so hated and corrupt that it eventually got shut down.

 

They once assessed that Roadrunner owed 30,000 Baht based on figures the conjured out of the blue. I refused to pay and got on the train to Malaysia without the dreaded certificate. On the train, Immigration were fining people 500 Baht, which actually saved me 29,500. Amazing Thailand.

4 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

 

If you are a tax resident (180+ days in Thailand), then:

 

•  You are expected to file a return, even if you have no assessable income, to formally declare that status.

•  Filing a zero-income return helps avoid future complications, especially if you later remit foreign income or apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate.

 

Again, I will not be doing any of this......but that does not negate the fact that you are supposed to or "have to"......to comply with Thai tax laws

 

 

...and have YOU tried getting a TIN from the Tax Department ?

 

 

Personally, I believe that this is a 'rule' (restated) that is not intended for, say the typical expat retiree.....it is fundamentally aimed at wealthy Thai evading tax. As much as Benjamin Hart , and others, want to scaremonger the likes of you and I are not affected.

Just now, hotandsticky said:

.and have YOU tried getting a TIN from the Tax Department ?

 

 

Absolutely no intention of doing so, unless it becomes an immigration/extension of stay issue.

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

 

Absolutely no intention of doing so, unless it becomes an immigration/extension of stay issue.

 

 

100%

11 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

If you are a tax resident (180+ days in Thailand), then:

 

•  You are expected to file a return, even if you have no assessable income, to formally declare that status.

•  Filing a zero-income return helps avoid future complications, especially if you later remit foreign income or apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate

 

Wrong on both counts.In my opinion useless inputs like this should be flagged as such.

Just now, jayboy said:

 

Wrong on both counts.In my opinion useless inputs like this should be flagged as such.

 

 

Take a big step back and literally ..............

 

 

Technically, the tax clearance certificates rules are still on the books, but enforcement was halted in 1991 as a matter of policy.

 

At present, I don't see any need to obtain a tax clearance certificate.

 

I suppose the RD could flag specific individuals who owe back taxes and require a certificate in such instances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

For the bonehead thumbs down moron....

 

It wasn't me but I imagine it was down to your seemingly blind belief that AI generated responses are always true.

3 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

It wasn't me but I imagine it was down to your seemingly blind belief that AI generated responses are always true.

 

I know.......I really do need to start using Fox and the NYP.

3 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

I know.......I really do need to start using Fox and the NYP.

 

No, but maybe you should start using official sources like the Thai Revenue

Department. From their guide for filing taxes for 2024:

 

So, no, contrary to what you posted, you are not required to file a tax return if you have no assessable income, or if your assessable income falls below the stated exemptions.

6 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I know.......I really do need to start using Fox and the NYP.

 

Common sense and due diligence might be more beneficial, but I don't think I've seen either of your two before so may be doing them a disservice.

If my memory serves me, the tax clearance certificates I obtained back in the day were only valid for two weeks. Their purpose was to allow exit from the country within a short time frame. They did not serve as confirmation of tax compliance for audit purposes, only that filing or payments were not delinquent at that time. They weren't something that was filed away with tax returns.

 

 

Used to be a thing many years ago , the lady doing your tax collecting , was more interested

in what you could bring back from your overseas trips for her , she wanted makeup ,bras and

knickers , i never bought anything for her , and the tax you had to pay was 200 - 500 Baht ,

 

regards worgeordie 

20 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

If my memory serves me, the tax clearance certificates I obtained back in the day were only valid for two weeks. Their purpose was to allow exit from the country within a short time frame. They did not serve as confirmation of tax compliance for audit purposes, only that filing or payments were not delinquent at that time. They weren't something that was filed away with tax returns.

 

It's still the case according to the TRD website, yet one 🤡claimed to have one safely tucked in his back pocket in case it was ever required.

On 8/9/2025 at 11:41 AM, EVENKEEL said:

I checked out the page to see if Mike Lister had his fingerprints somewhere. These people should be imprisoned. 

That name rings a bell !