HI,

My visa and WP expires at the end of this month and I am planning to leave Thailand. However, for some reasons, I think my school has not paid my taxes, leaving me in a difficult situation...

What would happen at the airport on the last day of visa/WP if I wanted to go home? is there any way they can see my situation and refrain me to leave?

I dont want any trouble but I am trying to understand.

Thanks

They will not be concerned with any tax liabilities you might have when you leave the country.

You should of had taxes deducted from your salary and might be eligible for a tax refund if you filed a tax return.

It's one thing to have the taxes deducted from your salary by your employer. It's another thing to have that employer take those deducted taxes and pay them. I know a guy who him and his colleagues were working for a school through an agency and upon completion of their contract two of them were leaving Thailand and got told by immigration at the airport they they couldn't leave until they paid their taxes. They paid their taxes and then were allowed to leave. At least that is the story he gave. I can't say how reliable his story is but that's what he said.

It's one thing to have the taxes deducted from your salary by your employer. It's another thing to have that employer take those deducted taxes and pay them. I know a guy who him and his colleagues were working for a school through an agency and upon completion of their contract two of them were leaving Thailand and got told by immigration at the airport they they couldn't leave until they paid their taxes. They paid their taxes and then were allowed to leave. At least that is the story he gave. I can't say how reliable his story is but that's what he said.

When was this alleged to have occurred ?

Months or years ago ?

It's one thing to have the taxes deducted from your salary by your employer. It's another thing to have that employer take those deducted taxes and pay them. I know a guy who him and his colleagues were working for a school through an agency and upon completion of their contract two of them were leaving Thailand and got told by immigration at the airport they they couldn't leave until they paid their taxes. They paid their taxes and then were allowed to leave. At least that is the story he gave. I can't say how reliable his story is but that's what he said.

When was this alleged to have occurred ?

Months or years ago ?

It would have occured in March 2015.

It's one thing to have the taxes deducted from your salary by your employer. It's another thing to have that employer take those deducted taxes and pay them. I know a guy who him and his colleagues were working for a school through an agency and upon completion of their contract two of them were leaving Thailand and got told by immigration at the airport they they couldn't leave until they paid their taxes. They paid their taxes and then were allowed to leave. At least that is the story he gave. I can't say how reliable his story is but that's what he said.

When was this alleged to have occurred ?

Months or years ago ?

It would have occured in March 2015.

If that is the case the 'guy' was spinning yarn from the rumour mill

It's one thing to have the taxes deducted from your salary by your employer. It's another thing to have that employer take those deducted taxes and pay them. I know a guy who him and his colleagues were working for a school through an agency and upon completion of their contract two of them were leaving Thailand and got told by immigration at the airport they they couldn't leave until they paid their taxes. They paid their taxes and then were allowed to leave. At least that is the story he gave. I can't say how reliable his story is but that's what he said.

When was this alleged to have occurred ?

Months or years ago ?

Many years ago, I would guess at least 20+, there was a requirement to present a tax clearance certificate but was abolished even though several sites, including the Revenue Department, says otherwise.

Don't know why so many places still have out dated info like below. http://www.asia-excellent.com/publication_detail.php?id=11

Foreigners who are leaving Thailand are required to submit an application for a Tax Clearance Certificate and supporting documents if:

• They are required to pay taxes under normal circumstances or past tax liabilities are due before they leave Thailand;
• They are required to file a tax return and pay tax on behalf of a company or juristic partnership incorporated under foreign laws which has been carrying on business in Thailand;
• They have taxable income, whether paid in Thailand or not, from being a public performer in Thailand.

It's one thing to have the taxes deducted from your salary by your employer. It's another thing to have that employer take those deducted taxes and pay them. I know a guy who him and his colleagues were working for a school through an agency and upon completion of their contract two of them were leaving Thailand and got told by immigration at the airport they they couldn't leave until they paid their taxes. They paid their taxes and then were allowed to leave. At least that is the story he gave. I can't say how reliable his story is but that's what he said.

When was this alleged to have occurred ?

Months or years ago ?

Many years ago, I would guess at least 20+, there was a requirement to present a tax clearance certificate but was abolished even though several sites, including the Revenue Department, says otherwise.

Don't know why so many places still have out dated info like below. http://www.asia-excellent.com/publication_detail.php?id=11

Foreigners who are leaving Thailand are required to submit an application for a Tax Clearance Certificate and supporting documents if:

• They are required to pay taxes under normal circumstances or past tax liabilities are due before they leave Thailand;
• They are required to file a tax return and pay tax on behalf of a company or juristic partnership incorporated under foreign laws which has been carrying on business in Thailand;
• They have taxable income, whether paid in Thailand or not, from being a public performer in Thailand.

A common "error" on most commercial sites which hope to attract business from those who are daft enough to seek information from such sites.

I am almost 100% certain that the school has not paid the due taxes/not deducted from my wage. I know they check your tax situation for an extension of stay/new WP. I just want to make very sure I can leave this country, on the last day of my visa, without trouble if the taxes have not been paid. Wouldn' t the tax office update immigration?

I am almost 100% certain that the school has not paid the due taxes/not deducted from my wage. I know they check your tax situation for an extension of stay/new WP. I just want to make very sure I can leave this country, on the last day of my visa, without trouble if the taxes have not been paid. Wouldn' t the tax office update immigration?

If you are worried go to the tax office and ask.

Any information needed by immigration or the labour office for extensions or work permits was supplied by you or your employer NOT the tax office.

I know they check your tax situation for an extension of stay/new WP.

That also hasn't been a requirement for the last few years for either labor or immigration. At least not in Chiang Mai and believe it is the norm in most offices in Thailand not to require it. But as johnatong states, go to the revenue department office covering your area with your tax id card. You do have one? Bring your pay receipts also and cross check them for tax deduction.

All I have is my WP/visa and contract

Edited April 6, 201610 yr by ludwiglou

I was never given a tax id card or payslips, all I have is my WP

No payslips ? No tax ID ? Nothing ?

Was this a "cash in hand" job ?

If so the sooner you leave the better. Immigration will not bother you on the way out.

Or you could go to the labour office and tell them about the lack of pay slips etc. They will assist you.

Law firms, visa agents, etc. want to make the whole process sound as complicated as possible, to encourage you to use their services instead of doing it yourself.

What is the problem ? You have the right to request your employer to provide you with the proof of tax payments they made to the Revenue service. If they don't provide this to you, you go to your local Revenue office with your psy slips and state your case. In future please remember that its your responsibility to take charge of your tax affairs.

Many years ago, I would guess at least 20+, there was a requirement to present a tax clearance certificate but was abolished even though several sites, including the Revenue Department, says otherwise.

Don't know why so many places still have out dated info like below. http://www.asia-excellent.com/publication_detail.php?id=11

Foreigners who are leaving Thailand are required to submit an application for a Tax Clearance Certificate and supporting documents if:

• They are required to pay taxes under normal circumstances or past tax liabilities are due before they leave Thailand;
• They are required to file a tax return and pay tax on behalf of a company or juristic partnership incorporated under foreign laws which has been carrying on business in Thailand;
• They have taxable income, whether paid in Thailand or not, from being a public performer in Thailand.

Indeed, at one time, if in Thailand for more than 90 days in a calendar year, you needed a tax clearance before leaving the country. If I recollect correctly, you had to attend the tax office in person, and it was a pretty time consuming process. Frequent travelers had to do this each time they wanted to leave. The first Anand administration eliminated this, an important part of his legacy.

Do unpaid taxes (unintentionally) affect your ability to obtain a new tourist visa for Thailand or they just do not check ?

Do unpaid taxes (unintentionally) affect your ability to obtain a new tourist visa for Thailand or they just do not check ?

They don't and probably have no way they could check.