Q&A Statement Issued by Revenue Department Clarifying Taxation Applied on Foreign-Sourced Income
The Revenue Department recently issued an Order no. Por.161/2566 on September 15, 2023, with an official announcement published in the Royal Gazette on October 6, 2023 (“Order”). This Order provides important clarifications regarding the taxation of foreign-sourced income, specifically in relation to Section 41 paragraph 2 of the Revenue Code.
To make these clarifications more accessible, the Revenue Department has also released a Q&A infographic statements, accompanied by practical examples addressing various scenarios that taxpayers may encounter, where the key points are summarized as follows for your reference:
(1) Resident Status Rule: The Order interprets Section 41 paragraph 2 of the Revenue Code, which mandates that a resident of Thailand who earns assessable income from sources outside Thailand or from properties located outside the Thailand must pay personal income tax upon bringing such income into Thailand. A resident of Thailand, in this context, is defined as an individual who spends a total of 180 days or more in Thailand within a given year, regardless of whether such individual resides in Thailand continuously throughout the year, if they accumulate a total of 180 days or more in Thailand, they are still considered a resident for tax purposes. For instance, if Mr. A resides in Thailand only during odd-numbered months, totalling 184 days in Thailand, he is still considered a resident.
(2) Non-Resident Income: The Order explains that if a person is not a resident of Thailand during the year in which they earn income, they do not need to include that income in their tax calculations, even if they bring that income into Thailand in a subsequent year when they are a resident. For example, Mr. B earns income from a rental property abroad in a year when he is not considered a resident of Thailand. Then He brings this income into Thailand in a following year when he is a resident, he is not required to calculate such income as assessable income and shall not be subjected to taxation in the year that those money brought into Thailand.
Interest on Bonds and Debentures: The Order also addresses the taxation of income from buying bonds and debentures from outside Thailand. For example, if Miss C purchases bonds from foreign sources in a year when she is a resident of Thailand and subsequently brings the income into Thailand, she is only required to calculate assessable income from the interest on these bonds, not the principal.
Both conditions must be met for the foreign-sourced income to be taxed in Thailand. However, if such income has already been taxed in the source country and the person later brought the said income into Thailand. Thailand and the source country’s double taxation treaties (if any) will govern and determine whether such paid tax in the source country will be used as tax credits or tax exemptions.
It is important to note that this order applies to all taxpayers living in Thailand or planning to reside in the country. Non-compliance with the Revenue Code may lead to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
This summary provides an overview of the key points covered in the Q&A infographic issued by the Revenue Department regarding the taxation of foreign-sourced income. As these criteria will become enforced on the 1st July 2024, it is essential for the resident taxpayers to understand and adhere to these regulations to avoid penalty consequences.