How to become tax resident in Thailand? (I got rejected)

[BusinessOne]

I recently got rejected a Tax ID Number (TIN) from the Revenue Department in Thailand, after staying more than 6 months last year in Thailand.

They said that I must have a "long term" visa, and that neither the education visa that I have, nor an Elite visa, are valid to be a tax resident in Thailand.

How is that possible? Shouldn't you be allowed to pay taxes in the country if you are spending the majority of the year in it?

I need the tax id to show it to the bank on my local country, in order to avoid my account getting blocked. - Is there any other option I have to get a TIN to use for my local banks?

 

[Marketint]

Maybe try another officer. That’s usually how it’s works in Thailand. But yes I know a lot of people are sent away when they try to pay tax with education or elite visa.

Or ask small accounting office.

 

[wellington]

I recently got rejected a Tax ID Number (TIN) from the Revenue Department in Thailand, after staying more than 6 months last year in Thailand.

They said that I must have a "long term" visa, and that neither the education visa that I have, nor an Elite visa, are valid to be a tax resident in Thailand.

How is that possible? Shouldn't you be allowed to pay taxes in the country if you are spending the majority of the year in it?

I need the tax id to show it to the bank on my local country, in order to avoid my account getting blocked. - Is there any other option I have to get a TIN to use for my local banks?

Dependent on your country of citizenship that might work to your advantage.

For example good friend of mine had residence in HK but was a specialist engineer flying world wide for his role.

He had zero tax in HK and had zero tax elsewhere because he wasn’t resident - he didn’t have to report to Australia as he was non resident for x amount of years.

Basically tax nomad free.

HK only charged tax on income in HK which was zero.

——

Same applies in Thailand based on the descriptive you’ve given above.

Just because there’s no tax in Thailand based on the descriptive above doesn’t mean you have to provide you paid tax to your home country or the banks there.

You merely provided them your address in Thailand and they do the CRS reporting as standard - a TIN is not essential it just makes their life easier as it gets auto routed.

As it stands you are in the Goldilocks zone of “tax nomad” by force from the Thai tax department and you just need to push your banks to do reporting the standard way - i.e this is my address and here is proof and oh there’s no TIN as I don’t work in Thailand.

 

[JackAlabama]

I recently got rejected a Tax ID Number (TIN) from the Revenue Department in Thailand, after staying more than 6 months last year in Thailand.

They said that I must have a "long term" visa, and that neither the education visa that I have, nor an Elite visa, are valid to be a tax resident in Thailand.

How is that possible? Shouldn't you be allowed to pay taxes in the country if you are spending the majority of the year in it?

I need the tax id to show it to the bank on my local country, in order to avoid my account getting blocked. - Is there any other option I have to get a TIN to use for my local banks?

try reason c - no tin required on the crs form. (reason a is for the uae and similar places folks)

 

[BusinessOne]

Dependent on your country of citizenship that might work to your advantage.

For example good friend of mine had residence in HK but was a specialist engineer flying world wide for his role.

He had zero tax in HK and had zero tax elsewhere because he wasn’t resident - he didn’t have to report to Australia as he was non resident for x amount of years.

Basically tax nomad free.

HK only charged tax on income in HK which was zero.

——

Same applies in Thailand based on the descriptive you’ve given above.

Just because there’s no tax in Thailand based on the descriptive above doesn’t mean you have to provide you paid tax to your home country or the banks there.

You merely provided them your address in Thailand and they do the CRS reporting as standard - a TIN is not essential it just makes their life easier as it gets auto routed.

As it stands you are in the Goldilocks zone of “tax nomad” by force from the Thai tax department and you just need to push your banks to do reporting the standard way - i.e this is my address and here is proof and oh there’s no TIN as I don’t work in Thailand.

My bank in Spain is forcing me to submit a form with a Thai TIN, or they say that my account will get frozen in 7 days.

I have also asked an agent here, and he got rejected at the Revenue Department after paying him 10K Baht to get the TIN.

I have heard that another option would be to set up a Thai company to get a work permit and TIN. The agent is also talking about getting a "Non-O visa", but not sure about the cost and requirements.

I hope they are not trying for force foreigners to get a "high net worth visa by investment", as some agents have mentioned me about it.

 

[wellington]

My bank in Spain is forcing me to submit a form with a Thai TIN, or they say that my account will get frozen in 7 days.

I have also asked an agent here, and he got rejected at the Revenue Department after paying him 10K Baht to get the TIN.

I have heard that another option would be to set up a Thai company to get a work permit and TIN. The agent is also talking about getting a "Non-O visa", but not sure about the cost and requirements.

I hope they are not trying for force foreigners to get a "high net worth visa by investment", as some agents have mentioned me about it.

That doesn’t come with a tin (investment visa) - it’s an investment - I was previously on that (discussed elsewhere).

TIN is usually granted when you have a formal income in Thailand - I had previously.

I guess you can make one up and hope lol

Mind mine is different to the newer ones these days but I always stick that in if asked.

If you need a Thai company dependent where you are I have a dormant one - 4m paid up capital think that’s 2/4 work permits mind you won’t get the work permits quickly - thus Tins

 

[scooterguy]

My bank in Spain is forcing me to submit a form with a Thai TIN, or they say that my account will get frozen in 7 days.

I have also asked an agent here, and he got rejected at the Revenue Department after paying him 10K Baht to get the TIN.

I have heard that another option would be to set up a Thai company to get a work permit and TIN. The agent is also talking about getting a "Non-O visa", but not sure about the cost and requirements.

I hope they are not trying for force foreigners to get a "high net worth visa by investment", as some agents have mentioned me about it.

Imagine setting up a Thai company with work permit and everything (requires hiring 4 Thais, etc.) just to get a TIN lol.

Obviously your agent realized that you're open to being milked after you paid him 10k baht to get a TIN. I don't know why you're still talking to that scammer. He will keep proposing you visas and whatever he can at severely inflated prices.

 

[TheCryptoAnt]

I guess you can make one up and hope lol

This is the answer, just figure out the format and give them whatever.

 

[churumbelo]

If you have a savings account the bank pays you some interest while they withdraw a % for tax. You can claim a TIN to get a refund since you are a tourist. Maybe that would work.

 

[randomname11]

This is the answer, just figure out the format and give them whatever.

It looks like this:
099-1-00xxxxxx-x

Not sure if it's same for all foreigners, but I've seen a few and they all start with that.
With some luck, your bank doesn't ask for documentation. It's been seen before.

 

[Liam13]

Which means that you are not requested to pay taxes if you stay longer than 6 months in Thailand with an Elite Visa? as they refuse to give you a tax ID..?

 

[randomname11]

Which means that you are not requested to pay taxes if you stay longer than 6 months in Thailand with an Elite Visa? as they refuse to give you a tax ID..?

Elite Visa is seen as a tourist via and not a long term visa, which is why.
Education Visa is for education only and not permitted to work and that's why they reject a TIN.

But with that said... I'm sure with the right accounting contact, that it can happen.

 

[churumbelo]

Elite Visa is seen as a tourist via and not a long term visa, which is why.
Education Visa is for education only and not permitted to work and that's why they reject a TIN.

But with that said... I'm sure with the right accounting contact, that it can happen.

How cannot it be a long-term visa when the visa is for 5 years?

 

[randomname11]

How cannot it be a long-term visa when the visa is for 5 years?

Couldn't tell you why it's in that category.
I first heard about it, when some with Elite Visa was only given 2 years driving license, instead of 5 years on extension. They were given that reason.

 

[churumbelo]

Couldn't tell you why it's in that category.
I first heard about it, when some with Elite Visa was only given 2 years driving license, instead of 5 years on extension. They were given that reason.

Maybe there is no logic behind it and it is just the "Thai" way.

 

[Liam13]

I am more worried of the opposite. I read somewhere that by spending more than 6 months in Thailand, you might be requested to pay taxes- regardless of the visa status. Good to know they "refuse" to get money

 

[wellington]

Maybe there is no logic behind it and it is just the "Thai" way.

Normally driving license is 1 yr, 2yr, 5yr.

Then onwards 5yr.

How cannot it be a long-term visa when the visa is for 5 years?

Elite (i have) is 5yr, etc onwards but it's a "tourist visa" - > Visa is not relevant to tax location, i.e 179/180 days = tax required.

Just go there with proof of owed tax and funds and they will issue a TIN and take your funds.

 

[Mercury]

Couldn't tell you why it's in that category.
I first heard about it, when some with Elite Visa was only given 2 years driving license, instead of 5 years on extension. They were given that reason.

The first time you apply for a driving licence in Thailand you get a 2-year probationary licence regardless of the type of visa. At the first renewal you'll get a 5-year renewable one (granted you still meet the conditions).

 

[wellington]

The first time you apply for a driving licence in Thailand you get a 2-year probationary licence regardless of the type of visa. At the first renewal you'll get a 5-year renewable one (granted you still meet the conditions).

Then it’s changed - mine was 1 yr then 2 yr then 5yr and replacements from that point 5yr

 

[churumbelo]

Normally driving license is 1 yr, 2yr, 5yr.

Then onwards 5yr.


Elite (i have) is 5yr, etc onwards but it's a "tourist visa" - > Visa is not relevant to tax location, i.e 179/180 days = tax required.

Just go there with proof of owed tax and funds and they will issue a TIN and take your funds.

I think that you might have wanted to quote someone else. I also have the Elite, I was just asking him how it is possible that a 5-years visa isn't considered as a long-term visa.