I'm trying to get a feel for the tax situation of long term expat's in Thailand. I know there are many people who are on top of their taxes, but I also know there are many who clearly are not paying what they're supposed to be. For example, there are scores of teachers who basically live here all year yet never pay any taxes on their wages.

I know there are some circumstances where your tax information is required, such as if you are applying for residency or filing your company's business forms, but I'm wondering if they would ever check somebody on their income taxes at the border just out of the blue.

I'm trying to get a feel for the tax situation of long term expat's in Thailand.  I know there are many people who are on top of their taxes, but I also know there are many who clearly are not paying what they're supposed to be.  For example, there are scores of teachers who basically live here all year yet never pay any taxes on their wages.

I know there are some circumstances where your tax information is required, such as if you are applying for residency or filing your company's business forms, but I'm wondering if they would ever check somebody on their income taxes at the border just out of the blue.

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Your question was not well phrased as I voted no.

However when I worked for a UK based company in Thailand they dealt with my taxes and when I worked as a contractor I was paid offshore but I apid tax on part of it in Thailand.

Now I am retired and receive pensions from the UK which are taxed at source and with a dual taxation agreement between Thailand and the UK I do not pay tax in Thailand.

So my honest answer to you poll was both yes and no.

Sorry.

Your question was not well phrased as I voted no.

However when I worked for a UK based company in Thailand they dealt with my taxes  and when I worked as a contractor I was paid offshore but I apid tax on part of it in Thailand.

Now I am retired and receive pensions from the UK which are taxed at source and with a dual taxation agreement between Thailand and the UK I do not pay tax in Thailand.

So my honest answer to you poll was both yes and no.

Sorry.

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Nothing to apologize about. So it looks like there were 3 tax situations for you.

1. Working for a company which automatically reported your taxes.

2. Working in Thailand but getting paid overseas and only paying tax on part of it.

3. Pension money which is already taxed in the UK.

If you don't mind, I'd like to followup a bit.

When you were a contractor, was there anything compelling you to pay your taxes or did you just figure it out and report everything yourself? What portion did you pay taxes on? Only that which you actually brought into Thailand?

With your pension, do you still report every year to the Thai tax authorities to let them know you don't owe them taxes, or do you just not worry about it?

Thanks,

Daniel

http://www.rd.go.th/publish/6000.0.html

How many Thais do any of you know who actually pay taxes? I know two only. I know a Thai accountant who specialises in how to not pay any taxes and she's so good at it that she pays none of her own taxes. Now you know why the roads are full of holes.

Your question was not well phrased as I voted no.

However when I worked for a UK based company in Thailand they dealt with my taxes  and when I worked as a contractor I was paid offshore but I apid tax on part of it in Thailand.

Now I am retired and receive pensions from the UK which are taxed at source and with a dual taxation agreement between Thailand and the UK I do not pay tax in Thailand.

So my honest answer to you poll was both yes and no.

Sorry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing to apologize about. So it looks like there were 3 tax situations for you.

1. Working for a company which automatically reported your taxes.

2. Working in Thailand but getting paid overseas and only paying tax on part of it.

3. Pension money which is already taxed in the UK.

If you don't mind, I'd like to followup a bit.

When you were a contractor, was there anything compelling you to pay your taxes or did you just figure it out and report everything yourself? What portion did you pay taxes on? Only that which you actually brought into Thailand?

With your pension, do you still report every year to the Thai tax authorities to let them know you don't owe them taxes, or do you just not worry about it?

Thanks,

Daniel

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The answer is fairly simple. As a contrator or indeed any person needing a work permit you have to declare a minimum salary and pay tax on the money transferred into Thailand. However the money was never paid from Thailand in the first place so only the amount paid into Thailand is taxed. I also used to have a company and employed 4 Thais as the government regulations state but if you are the only person working and earning why should you have to pay for 4 other persons to do nothing?

You also have to pay VAT, with holding tax, insurance, an accountant and a lot of other things that really make it not a viable proposition. So I gave up, quit working and closed the company down.

No I do not report to the Thai tax authorities and tell them that I do not owe any taxes as Thailand and the UK have a dual taxation agreement.