Author In Thailand On Tourist Visas, Thai/uk Tax Position?

[HerodJenkins]

I am a UK author and have been living in Thailand for seven years on tourist visas. During that time I have been writing and living off the earnings. The books are published and sold in the UK.

(Don't get excited, I'm not famous just earning enough to live comfortably in Thailand.)

My problem is this:

Five years ago a UK accountant obtained a letter from the Inland Revenue in the UK stating that I was non-resident for tax purposes (I had been absent from the UK for ten years) and that my book royalties and earnings were not subject to UK income tax.

From time to time I worried about how I stood regarding the Thai tax authorities and wondered whether I should bring myself to their attention. However I was advised by people whose opinion I sought that I would be better off not putting myself onto their radar. I was told I would just be giving them a headache they didn't want.

Well, OK.

But the years flashed by as they do when you are having a good time in Thailand and I just carried on happily ignoring the situation.

Now the letter of income tax relief needs to be renewed. And it occurs to me that the advice I was given might not have been so great.

If I contact the UK tax authorities for a renewal they may well ask for some sort of communication with the Thai tax authorities confirming that I am officially resident in Thailand. Which of course I am not.

Where would that leave me?

Presumably, living in the Kingdom and writing novels is a violation of the tourist visa?

What would the Thai tax authorities do if they received a communication from the UK tax authorities?

Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated. I haven't opened the can of worms yet and want to get my head round all the ramifications before I do.

Many thanks

[LeungKen]

Loved Your Book Louie

I'll send you a Message.