Thailand is once again considering changes to the taxation of income earned abroad and remitted into the country. These changes apply only to tax residents — individuals who stay in Thailand for 180 days or more per year. Non-residents are not affected.
How it worked before January 1, 2024
- If income was earned and remitted to Thailand in the same year — it was subject to tax
- If the income was remitted in any following year — no personal income tax applied
Conclusion:
It was sufficient to delay the transfer by one year to avoid taxation in Thailand.
What changed from January 1, 2024
New rules came into effect in 2024:
- Income earned before January 1, 2024 can still be remitted without tax if transferred in a later year
- Income earned after January 1, 2024 is taxable regardless of when it is remitted
Conclusion:
All newly earned foreign income brought into Thailand is taxable — even if transferred a year or more later.
Proposed changes
At present, the following adjustment is being discussed:
- Income earned in 2025 may be transferred to Thailand without tax if remitted before the end of 2026
- If transferred in 2027 or later, personal income tax will apply
Conclusion:
The proposed system would effectively give taxpayers a two-year window to remit funds into Thailand without tax consequences.
Following the stricter rules introduced in 2024, it became clear that the expected increase in tax revenue did not materialize — many residents simply chose not to transfer funds into Thailand at all.
What should taxpayers do?
Until the changes are officially adopted, it is advisable to:
- monitor updates in tax legislation
- plan financial flows for 2025–2026 in advance
Author: Alexandra Agapitova.
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