Expat Tax: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, to file a tax return, you will need a TIN number. You can get this from your local revenue office. If people would like help with this we have a paid service to obtain on their behalf.

You can find out more about applying for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) in Thailand here. 

In Thailand, you need to file taxes if you live in the Kingdom for 180 days or more, or if the money was for work conducted in Thailand and your assessable income is over 120,000 THB as an individual or 220,000 THB as a joint filing married couple. The tax year is from January to December, and you usually have until the end of March the next year to file your taxes.

The salary is taxable if remitted to Thailand, but only if remitted. You can read the Israel Thailand Double Tax Treaty here

Yes, in Thailand, tax residents must pay taxes on their foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand. This means if you’re considered a tax resident in Thailand—defined as someone who spends 180 days or more in the country in a calendar year—you must include your income from abroad in your annual tax return and pay Thai taxes on it. However, to avoid double taxation (paying taxes on the same income in both Thailand and the country where the income was earned), Thailand has tax treaties with many countries that allow for tax credits or exemptions. It’s important to consult a tax professional to understand how these treaties may apply to your situation and to ensure compliance with Thai tax laws while maximising available benefits.

You can learn more about Thailand’s new rules on foreign-sourced income here. 

Not everything that is transferred into Thailand is taxed. Only assets that are classed as foreign-sourced income are liable to tax.

U.S. expatriates in Thailand might have to pay taxes in Thailand. This depends on their income sources, residency status, and how long they stay. Thailand taxes people based on their residency and where their income comes from. Expats who stay in Thailand for 180 days or more in a year are considered tax residents and must pay taxes on their foreign sourced income remitted to Thailand. Those who don’t meet this residency requirement only pay taxes on the income they make in Thailand. The US/Thai DTA sets out how certain assets are taxed for residents in Thailand and certain exclusions, like US social security.

In Thailand, foreigners are subject to taxation based on their residency status and the source of their income. Expatriates who reside in Thailand for a period of 180 days or more within a calendar year are considered tax residents and are obligated to pay tax on overseas income they bring into Thailand. Conversely, expatriates who stay in Thailand for 179 days or less within a calendar year are only required to pay tax on the income that is sourced within Thailand. The applicable income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 0% to 35%, depending on the amount of taxable income. It is imperative for expatriates to ensure compliance with Thai tax laws to avoid legal complications and penalties.

Learn more about the Thailand Revenue Department’s announcements on foreign sourced income here

If the work was not conducted In Thailand then as a non-Thai tax resident you can transfer to Thailand without any tax liability

Please obtain a bank statement showing the account balances at 31st December 2023. This cash can then be potentially remitted to Thailand without any tax implications if it was pre-2024. Always put on the remittances ‘pre2024 savings.

Keep good records as you can be audited for up to 10 years.

Not everything that is transferred into Thailand is taxed. Only assets that are classed as foreign-sourced income are liable to tax.

Correct, if you are non-tax resident at the time of sale, then this can be remitted to Thailand without a tax implication

Foreign-sourced income is a taxable asset if remitted to Thailand for Thai tax residents.

Learn more about the Thailand Revenue Department’s announcements on foreign sourced income here

The rules are clear if you are a Thai tax resident then you are liable for capital gains tax on the property, depending on the DTA.

Generally, no. If you are not a Thai tax resident (fewer than 180 days), you are not subject to Thai tax obligations unless you have Thai-sourced income, such as Thai rental property income or a local salary.

If one spouse has no income, you may file jointly and claim a 60,000 THB allowance for the non-earning spouse. If both have incomes, you must file separately.

To become a tax resident in Thailand, an individual must be present for a total of 180 days or more in a calendar year. This establishes the individual’s liability for paying taxes on foreign-sources income remitted to Thailand. It’s crucial for prospective tax residents to accurately track their days in the country and to familiarise themselves with Thailand’s tax regulations, including the need to file an annual income tax return if their remitted income exceeds the minimum threshold.

Learn more about Thailand tax residency by listening to a short podcast here. 

Before remitting large sums of money, please seek advice and a consultation before acting. In principle if you are a non-Thai tax resident, you can remit the assets to Thailand as a non-Thai tax resident, or just keep the money in an account in Australia. This can be remitted in the future as the ‘crystalisation event’ took place when you were a non-Thai tax resident. I recommend that you seek advice and clarity before acting.

You may find our webinar on the Thailand-Australia Double Tax Treaty useful; you can watch it here. 

It depends on the type of structure you hold. Cash in the bank from previous tax years when you were a non-Thai tax resident is not assessable income. If it is an invesment fund then you would be liable for the capital gains on the investment fund, not from the date you moved to Thailand. In most cases there is no relief for when you were a non-tax resident. Please seek a 1-1 consultation to discuss specifics and before taking action.

If you remain in Thailand for 180 days or more in a year, you are considered a Thai tax resident. As a Thai tax resident, you are liable for income tax on foreign sourced income remitted to Thailand.

Learn more about Thailand tax residency by listening to a short podcast here. 

You can have a TIN and not be a tax resident in a following year correct.

A Thai tax resident is someone who spends 180 days or more in Thailand in the calendar year.

Learn more about Thailand tax residency by listening to a short podcast here. 

Income from years when one is not a tax resident can be remitted into Thailand anytime in the future. Individuals are only liable for tax on assets that are remitted to Thailand when you are a tax resident. It is advised to keep very good records to prove this if asked in the future.

We need more context around this to give a definitive answer, but in principle you could sell the asset while you are a non-Thai tax resident. You need to check the DTA in place between the country where the house is situated and Thailand.

Being a non-tax resident depends on the amount of days you are in the country, but you have to be careful that you don’t accidentally become a tax resident in a jurisdication which could have a tax implication. If you are planning to become a non-tax resident and transfer assets to Thailand, I recommend you seek advice regarding where  you will remain for the rest of the year before doing so.

You can get a tax ID number (TIN) regardless of whether you have a work permit or not, and you need to file if you have over TBH120,000 of income in tax year, regardless whether you have a work permit or not. If people would like help with this we have a paid service to obtain on their behalf.

If you are in Thailand for under 180 days per calendar year, you are a non-tax resident and you do not have to file a Thai tax return for foreign-sourced income. If you have income within Thailand, you may need to still file a return.

Learn more about Thailand tax residency by listening to a short podcast here. 

If you do not spend 180 days or more in Thailand per year, you are considered a non-Thai tax resident. Foreign-sourced income that is remitted into Thailand is not a taxable asset. However, if you have an income in Thailand, you are liable for tax.

Learn more about Thailand tax residency by listening to a short podcast here.