On Ch32 Thai news this morning it featured the various breed of search dogs, the usual type, Border Collie, G Retriver, German Pointer and an American Pitbull, well done to the owner.
Well that and firing tens of thousands of government employees, firing veterans, hamstringing veteran services, and Social Security services.
Cutting funding to childhood cancer research and other disease research m, slashing funding to Medicaid.
And more recently declaring social security is next on his list.
(If this question has already been asked and answered with more than opinion, please point me to the topic.)
This situation is not unique, but I and a few friends are doing volunteer work in Thailand. I have no salary or retirement or investment income. My support comes almost solely from gifts from people who trust me and appreciate my work.
My understanding is, gift money is not assessable, so my questions are as follows:
(1) Am I required to file a tax return if my only support was from sources that are not “assessable” (such as gifts) with no significant assessable income, such as from rentals, investments, retirement, pension, overseas contracts or salaries, royalties, etc.)?
(2) Is there a limit to the amount of gift money a single person can receive per year and count it as non-assessable? Is that limit the same for a married couple filing jointly? What about a married couple with three dependents under 20 years of age?
I might add, I read in the (2009) “SUMMARY OF THAILAND’S TAX LAWS” by Tilleke & Gibbons:
“III. Inheritance and gift Taxes
There are no specific law on inheritance or gift taxes in Thailand.” (Pg. 24)
So, I am inclined not to file a tax return for the following reasons:
1) Gifts are not currently considered assessable;
2) With basically no assessable income and no likelihood that I should owe taxes, I may be refused a TIN;
3) I cannot find any official rule that states that a total non-assessable income above a stated threshold requires a foreigner to file a tax return.
I was told by one tax consultant that I must file, but I can’t help but notice he has a conflict of interest, knowing I might hire him to file my return. So … an answer based on concrete evidence or from a credible source that does not have a conflict of interest would be very valuable to me and others.
Democrats favors a mixed economy and generally supports a progressive tax system. higher munimum wages, social security, universal healthcare, public education, infrastructure development and clean energy investments. Trump is bringing a chainsaw to wreck all these. I will give him credit for charming and lying to the people and winning the election. 3 months into his Presidency and the country is isolated by close allies and facing an impending recession.
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