Tax deduction for shoppers to be announced Friday

[webfact]

Tax Deduction For Shoppers To Be announced Friday
By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Central Chidlom in an undated, recent file photo.

BANGKOK — The year is set to end with big smiles on shoppers’ faces as a tax rebate for goods and services costing up to 15,000 baht will be given as a ‘New Year gift.’

According to the Finance Ministry, The promotion will be announced on Friday and will last until the end of the year.

Shoppers need to buy from registered businesses and get a full receipt showing the value added tax (VAT) and a tax invoice. However, alcohol and tobacco products, gas and vehicles are excluded from the deduction.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1450850193


-- Khaosod English 2015-12-23

[thesetat2013]

They exclude all the good things from this.

[Pib]

Well, if it turns out to just be a tax deduction "if you file an annual tax return" it won't do most people any good as most don't file tax returns.

Just waive the tax at checkout if you want to give people an immediate and hassle-free tax deduction/rebate....keep it simple.

[Prbkk]

Retailer mates must be doing it tough.

[Thian]

In Central Chidlom i get discount from my expat card, 5%. You guys can also apply for one, bring your passport.

If they could speak english there they would have sold me a lot more.

[Thian]

Well, if it turns out to just be a tax deduction "if you file an annual tax return" it won't do most people any good as most don't file tax returns.

Just waive the tax at checkout if you want to give people an immediate and hassle-free tax deduction/rebate....keep it simple.

Exactly,

One day i found out where you can get VAT-return at Swampy but there was a huge qeueu for that counter. Also you need a special receipt for that iirc.

Too much hassle.

[Emster23]

"Shoppers need to buy from registered businesses and get a full receipt showing the value added tax (VAT) and a tax invoice."

Nice present for the well off, the elite... for some reason I don't get receipts like that at local market. And who gets to pick up the shortfall? 3 guesses.

[Doc46]

Now that's a giant Red Herring

[DrTuner]

Let them eat cake.

[irwinfc]

awesome! keep the elite happy and you'll be getting a whole lot more in return... at the expense of the lower-class citizens of course

[snoop1130]

Thailand geared to increase foreign tourist spending
The Nation

BANGKOK -- The Finance and Tourism ministries have agreed in principle to five proposals of three retail associations, which include the opening of duty-free pick-up counters at all international airports.

The other proposals are; instant VAT refund, exclusion of VAT from some items, reduction of import tariffs of some consumer product items, and the scheme to promote "Thailand Brands Sale".

The proposals are aimed at boosting foreign tourists’ spending in Thailand.

Rawittha Pongnuchit, a tax-law expert and former deputy director-general of the Revenue Department as chairman of the duty-free association, said that all the proposals would boost the economy.

"We are pleased that the government responded (to our proposals) and is ready to materialise the proposals within the specified timeframe," he said.

He added that pick-up counters at all international airports would facilitate foreign tourists’ shopping. This would lead to more jobs and higher income at airports.

It is agreed that all the airports would have the counters within 60 days.

The decision followed a meeting yesterday between Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong, Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, and representatives of the Thai Shopping Centre Association, Thai Retailers Association, and duty-free shop association.

A working committee will be set up to study on the exclusion of VAT from some items. The Revenue Department is tasked to explore overseas experiences involving instant VAT refund.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thailand-geared-to-increase-foreign-tourist-spendi-30275535.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-23

[Thian]

I still don't get it.

So i buy a new suit in Central Chidlom and want to bring it to Europe. Then i fit and pay it in Chidlom and can pick it up at the counter at Swampy in the taxfree zone?

[alant]

Is there a section on dual pricing for tourists and scams such as jet ski operations. Is that not the most effective way to increase foreign spending?

[fakename]

You can go to the airport counter, but your item will not be there! Thats how things here work! Have you seen any new idea that actually works here?

[torpedo1970]

And all of these counters will also give you a small gift....

[Langsuan Man]

Another non story. How is this announcement any different than the current VAT refund system scheme ?

You still have to buy from a store that will issue you a VAT form, you still have to do it at the airport and there will be a service fee at the airport to pay for the transaction

Am I having a senior moment here and can't see what is new in this story ?

[Stargeezr]

This all may be good, but I would rather get a nice Visa for

6 months and a few entries without breaking my bank account.

Geezer

[Thian]

I remember now that some years ago they had the "make a whish" discount system in Central. I saw something i wanted to buy with 30% discount, had plenty of points on my expatcard but then they wouldn't give me the discount yet. Then i had to be in a long qeueu in Central Chidlom and after 10 minutes a girl suddenly came up from under that desk. She had been hiding there for a long time.

When it was my turn finally they told me i didn't understand the "make a wish" system and i didn't get the discount.

Well since then i never collect any points or stamps or anything. I don't need their discount, they always have such stupid systems where at the end i have to be in a long qeueu to save 2 euro or so.

But i've seen the pickup counter for taxfree items at Swampy for more then a year if i remember well. Many chinese went there and again it had long qeueu's. Who doesn't want to be in a long qeueu when he has to catch a flight?

Almost everything is cheaper in Europe these days so i don't need any discount.

[Dumbastheycome]

"Shoppers need to buy from registered businesses and get a full receipt showing the value added tax (VAT) and a tax invoice."

Nice present for the well off, the elite... for some reason I don't get receipts like that at local market. And who gets to pick up the shortfall? 3 guesses.

And of course the local marketeers pay all due VAT !

[Thian]

My wife got those VAT-refund papers yesterday but it took more then 10 minutes to get the paperwork done in Central.

Shopping like that is no fun, there's sooo much paperwork involved.

[Pib]

A 26 Dec 15 article from the Nation newspaper....Q&A on the tax deduction. I think you will see that a lot depends on the vendor you are buying a product/service from---partially is that vendor part of/in the tax system (i.e., paying taxes)....if not, Sorry, Charlie.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Tax-measure-and-the-most-frequently-asked-question-30275716.html

Tax measure and the most frequently asked questions

ERICH PARPART December 26, 2015 1:00 am

THE FOLLOWING are frequently asked questions that have been answered by Prasong Poontaneat, director-general of the Revenue Department. More information can be found on the department’s website.

Are payments for utilities (water, electricity, phone etc) included in the measure?

No, because these are services that have been used before the [final seven days of the year], as the objective of the measure is to increase consumption during that period.

Are spa cards and gift vouchers included?

Yes, but the services and values specified by the cards and vouchers have to used and spent during the seven-day period.

What about cases of multiple invoices?

Multiple invoices can be compiled together and use for a reduction as long as their total value does not exceed Bt15,000.

Are plastic-surgery costs included in the measure?

Yes, as long as the medical service provider is listed within the tax system can provide a full tax invoice, but most [of these types of] medical institutions are not included within the tax system.

What about the earlier Bt15,000 local tourism promotion measure? Can I claim both benefits?

No, consumers and domestic travellers must choose between the two measures and they cannot be used together.

Are package tours abroad included in the measure?

No, as the measure is aimed at increasing domestic consumption.

What about multiple names within the tax invoices?

In this case, the reduction can only be done for one person, to avoid a misguided use of the measure and posing an inconvenience for both the Revenue Department and taxpayers, since multiple names in the invoice would increase the amount of time needed to verify it before the tax refund can be given. So the best way is just to have one name within the invoice.

Are insurance costs accounted for in the measure?

No, because insurance policies are not within the tax system. But automobile maintenance services and the purchase of parts during the seven days are included, since these are included in the tax system.

Are purchases of agricultural products such as rice and vegetables included within the measure?

No, because unprocessed agricultural products are not included within the tax system.

Are gold purchases included in the measure?

No, since transactions of gold |are not included within the VAT| system. But goldsmiths' charges are included, since this is a service |charge that is included within the tax system.

Are purchases of duty-free products included in the measure?

No, except duty-free products that have a blue label, as that would mean they are locally produced and are included within the tax system and qualify under the measure.

Does the address on the invoice have to be the same as where you live?

It can be address on the invoices, but preferably it should be the one that the consumer is currently living at.