Anyone Know A Double Tax Refund Lawyer?

[dscasler]

Americans can supposedly get a double-tax refund if they are in Thailand only 2 years. If we leave the country. BUT we need a good, connected lawyer to help apply. Does anyone know such a Thai lawyer that can help me with this? I live in Minburi if that matters... Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[mogoso]

Try Sunbelt they're an advertiser on Thai Visa

[LaoPo]

Personally, I would look for companies like PwC* = Pricewaterhouse Coopers, or any other international Tax Lawyers company that have offices in the US as well asThailand; your best bet!

http://www.pwc.com/th/en

LaoPo

[noise]

Are you are saying that you heard that Thailand will refund to you twice whatever taxes you paid if you work her less than 2 years and then leave the country?

Why would any govt refund taxes legally owed and paid? And why would it be twice what you paid? Since they would lose needed tax monies and generate an additional cost making the refund, why would they offer something that would generate a larger govt budget deficit? Just to get of expats?

What is the source of this? My first reaction is that someone told you that on 1 April.

[ballbreaker]

My interpretation of double tax means you paid tax twice on the same income but you need to clarify what you are talking about. I assume you paid taxes to both Thailand and US on same income but details are lacking.

[tonititan]

Are you are saying that you heard that Thailand will refund to you twice whatever taxes you paid if you work her less than 2 years and then leave the country?

Why would any govt refund taxes legally owed and paid? And why would it be twice what you paid? Since they would lose needed tax monies and generate an additional cost making the refund, why would they offer something that would generate a larger govt budget deficit? Just to get of expats?

What is the source of this? My first reaction is that someone told you that on 1 April.

Sorry, but your first reaction is wrong.

A "double tax" refund/treaty doesn't mean that you get double the taxes you paid. It means that you are refunded for double taxation on the same income, which is the case for some people living in Thailand (specially, Americans - maybe others). Thailand does it because of a tax treaty formed with the US so that citizens don't have to pay taxes in two countries at the same time, for the same income.

Edit: I found the source for the US-Thailand tax treaty:

http://www.rd.go.th/publish/769.0.html

Here is a link for tax treaties with other countries:

http://www.siamallservices.com/dtas.html

You could check out the company in the above link - SAS Siam All Services.

[lanny]

The tax treaty between the US and Thailand does not excuse Americans from paying taxes in Thailand. In fact, the treaty exempt only those who are NOT living in Thailand from paying local taxes. If you are "resident" here, you pay local taxes but may be entitled to an exclusion of some income and a credit for Thai taxes paid on other sources. In effect, the tax treaty only applies to non-residents.

If you paid taxes to both Thailand and the US, the proper place to look for a refund is the US. If you did not claim the benefits of the expat provisions of the Internal Revenue Code you should look into filing amended returns with IRS.

[tonititan]

If you paid taxes to both Thailand and the US, the proper place to look for a refund is the US.

I personally know at least 25 people (teachers) who have successfully claimed a substantial refund (200,000+ baht) from the Thai government. It's not an easy process, but it can be done. I started the process myself, with a lawyer. In the end I wasn't eligible because I did not leave Thailand after two years.