Question 1

What is the income tax structure in Thailand?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

The income tax structure in Thailand is progressive, meaning that the rate of taxation increases as income increases. Individuals earning income in Thailand, including foreigners residing in Thailand for more than 180 days a year, are subject to this tax. The rates start at 0% for annual incomes up to 150,000 baht, and increase through several brackets to a maximum of 35% for incomes over 5 million baht. Other than the standard deductions and allowances for personal, spousal, and child care, there are also deductions for expenses such as health insurance, education, and donations to charity. This system aims to balance the tax burden across different income levels while providing incentives for social and personal investments.

You can find out more about Thailand’s tax rates, allowances and deductions here or if you prefer to listen to a short podcast here

Question 2

I'm married to my Thai wife and on an "0" Immigration visa transferring about 55,000 Baht per month for living expenses. Am I still liable for tax?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

It depends on where the money is from. If it is income, for example, from investments, a pension or property rental, it is potentially taxable. If it is from savings from pre2024, it is not classified as a taxable asset and is not taxable. Depending on they jurisdiction for where your assets are based, there may be relief under a Double Tax Agreement using tax credits.

Question 3

Do US citizens who are resident in Thailand on a retirement visa need to file taxes? i.e. no income in Thailand but receive regular bank transfers into Thailand. My income is all from selling shares or collecting dividends from my US brokerage account. I pay US tax on capital gains and dividend income as a matter of course. I remit about Thai Baht 200,000 per month to Thailand as funding for my family of four.

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

This is classed as foreign sourced income and the capital gains needs to be filed in Thailand. 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 remitted 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 double tax treaties with 61 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.nn

Question 4

As a married couple, is it correct that we have no need to file tax returns if bringing in less than 220K per annum in foreign income?nIs a TIN tax return for personal income tax unnecessary if less than 220K is brought into Thailand as a joint couple?nAll monies we have are savings from before 1 January 2024. When bringing this into Thailand eventually does it require declaring at all or not? I read that this does not need declaring at all. Is this true?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

Based on your information here are the answers:nIf less than 220k of foreign sourced income you don’t need to file.nIf the money is from savings from before 1st January 24 then this is not a foreign sourced income but savings, so doesn’t need to be filed. Foreign sourced income are assets like pension income, capital gains, property rental income etc.. Make sure you keep good records that prove that this money is not a taxable income source.

Question 5

Do expats have to pay taxes in Thailand?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

In Thailand, expatriates 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

Question 6

Does Thailand tax worldwide income?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

In Thailand, if you reside in the country for 180 days or more in a year, you are considered a tax resident. This means you have to pay tax on income you earn both inside and outside Thailand. However, income earned outside Thailand is taxed only if remitted to Thailand. If you do not reside in Thailand for 180 days or more, you only pay tax on the income you earn in Thailand.n

Question 7

Will any tax be deducted by default when funds are brought into Thailand?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

Wihtholding tax is not deducted by receiving banks for personal funds remitted to Thailand. Any tax which is due on foreign sourced income remitted to Thailand for Thai tax resident needs to be declared on the tax return.

Question 8

Tax returns can be filed online. I feel like ours would be quite simple. However, to ensure it is error-proof, I may be interested in your organization preparing and filing on our behalf? Would you be in a position to provide me with a rough estimate of the cost (I found an estimate at 7,500THB on your site; is this correct)?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

This depends on what you remit into Thailand and the frequency. If it is one source of income then this will be essential tax filing. If it is multiple sources, then this is THB12,000.

Please feel free to book a call using the link at the top of the page to book a call and discuss your requirements further.

Question 9

If a retiree is a Thai tax resident but has no income for a year, is that person still required to lodge a tax return for the year? Similarly, if a retiree is not a tax resident - as he spends more than 180 days overseas +- and has no income is that person required to lodge a tax return?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

If you have no income, then you do not need to file a tax return, even if you are in Thailand more than 180 days. If you spend less than 180 days in Thailand, then even if you do have foreign sourced income paid into Thailand, you do not need to file a tax return.

Question 10

As a tax resident, I believe you must file if you have Assessable Income over 120,000 thb.  I understand certain countries (Canada for one) pensions brought into Thailand are ‘not taxable’ in Thailand…So does this suggest these pensions are Not Assessable Income?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

Yes this is correct, Canadian pensions are not taxable in Thailand and do not need to be filed on a tax return. You still keep your 120k limit

Question 11

Do I need to file a Thai tax return if I transfer less than 220,000 THB into Thailand annually?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

It depends on your situation. If you're a Thai tax resident (staying in Thailand for 180 days or more per year), you only need to file a Thai tax return if:

You have domestic income (e.g., rental property or salary).
You remit foreign-sourced income (e.g., pensions, capital gains, or dividends) above certain thresholds. For married individuals, pensions under 220,000 THB are exempt. For singles, the threshold drops to 120,000 THB for pensions. Other income types have lower thresholds. Tags: Filing Requirements, Tax Residency, Pension, Taxable Income, Foreign-Sourced Income

Question 12

Do I need to file a tax return if no cash has been remitted from offshore?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

Filing is unnecessary unless you have domestic income (e.g., rental income) or remitted foreign-sourced income while residing in Thailand.

Question 13

How do I file taxes in Thailand as a DTV visa holder?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

As a DTV visa holder, you only file taxes if you’re a tax resident (staying 180+ days in a calendar year). First, you will need to get a Tax ID Number and then file an annual tax return in April of the following year. If you rent out a property overseas for income, you may also need to file a half-year return in September.

We have more detailed information on the tax for DTV visa holders here

Question 14

What happens if I did not file taxes in prior years while staying in Thailand on a DTV visa?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

If you qualified as a tax resident but did not file, you may need to file back tax returns. The Thai Revenue Department can audit filings going back 5 years, and in cases of suspected fraud, up to 10 years. Penalties include a surcharge of 1.5% per month on unpaid tax and fines of up to 200% of the tax owed.

Our back tax filing service can help you get up to date and compliant.

Question 15

Is there really a two-year tax exemption for DTV visa holders?

Chas Begley · Accepted Answer

No. Although there has been speculation online about a potential two-year exemption, nothing has been confirmed by the Revenue Department or published in the Royal Gazette. As of now, no such exemption exists.

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