immigraton & visa renwal. dont forget your tea money

[lomuamart]

The regulations for a retirement extension are either an overseas income of 65k a month or 800k in a Thai bank account. The latter must have been there for either 2 or 3 months. The third option is a combination of income and savings as long as the total is 800k+.
The US Embassy are pretty relaxed about issuing an income letter, although I believe a false declaration by the applicant is a criminal offence.
The British Embassy require proof of income before they will issue the letter.
For some people, it's easier to have the Thai bank deposit rather than rely on income and I'd bet that most retirees go the former route.

[pitsch]

I read on a german page, that "theoretically" they can charge tax, if you declare a monthly income, but no tax for a lump sum. But I assume that nobody of the retired people pays any income tax.

[malcolminthemiddle]

2.If you would have waited a couple of weeks till Sept 6th your money would have been in the bank for 3 months so you could have ignored the request for another 4000 baht.

I'm assuming the extension expired before the 3 months was up on Sept 6th?

[miked]

I can confirm this, a friend got fined this week for not reporting ... after going to Ranong on a visa run.


probably me missing something here. if they have a retirement visa then why are they going to Ranong on a visa run.???
miked

[stgrhe]

I read on a german page, that "theoretically" they can charge tax, if you declare a monthly income, but no tax for a lump sum. But I assume that nobody of the retired people pays any income tax.

Many countries have double tax agreement with Thailand and I have checked with the revenue department here and any citizen of such a country having their source of income in their respective 'homeland' is exempt from paying tax here.

The reason for asking was it would be much cheaper for me to pay tax here than in Sweden, but I was told that they wouldn't permit me.

[pitsch]

I pay no tax for my pension in Switzerland, so Thailand could raise taxes if I get my visa extensions on income instead of capital.

But Thailand raises taxes only for income earned in the same year. So if I transfer the pension, which I earned last year to Thailand, to live on it and put the pension of this year on a swiss bank account, they cannot raise taxes.

[Takiap]

I've done a few Ranong runs on the trot and then got extentions in Hua-Hin and to date, I've never been asked to pay a fine for not reporting, so yes, I agree, they must be selective. If they did try to fine me, I would simply argue the point and say I did in fact report. With so much paperwork, they'd have no chance of telling if you did or not.

Also, whenever I go to the immigration office, I always try and see the same person so perhaps that's why I've never had any bother.

Now, if they were willing to overlook the OP's issue in exchange for him paying expenses, then perhaps a few thousand baht could encourage them to not notice I'm just short of the 40K monthly mark. Yes, yes, yes, I know, pay the money and you make things worse, but in some cases, paying some money makes things easier.

On a slightly different note...... A few years ago I applied for a 1 year non O visa (marriage to thai) and I only has about 200K in the bank. One of the women simply filled in the form saying I had 1.4 or 1.2 million and that was it......not bribes and nothing expected. Just goes to show, they're not all bad and greedy.

[Super Joe]

Double tax treaties: http://www.rd.go.th/publish/766.0.html

SJ

[pitsch]

The double tax treaty for Switzerland and U.S.A. says:

Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 18, pensions and other similar remuneration paid to a resident of a Contracting State in consideration of past employment shall be taxable only in that State.

If you are resident in Thailand, then you should "theoretically" pay tax in Thailand.

[Takiap]

What has tax got to do with tea money ..........

[KelpieKiss]

Well it was time to renew my retirement visa. My forth, Last year they shuttled me back and forth to Pattaya and HH 6 times. I was hoping this year would be easier...NOT!

All my paper work was in order. I even made the 800k depeosit back in June which has to remain untouched for 3 months. Note: not necessary in Bangkok or Pattaya they waive the rule after the first time because you're established.

Well not in Hua Hin.they have their own perception of the rules.

All the paperwork done. all the stamps in place in the passport and off it goes for the final signature.

The officer refuses to sign off my passport because the deposit ( of well over a million baht was made on June 6.

that means it hasn't been a FULL 3 months.

Now the rules are you can apply up to 30 days early and still get your stamps and visa done.

Wait for it.... here it comes... the 1st officer doing my paper work leans over and quietly says her "BOSS" will sign off for 4000 baht!!!

I was short of cash so off to a ATM I went. Id already paid 5700 in fees.

I get back and give the "BRIBE" to the fist officer who instructs me to to hand it to the officer who has the desk in front of the "Boss" who is quietly sitting with her back to us all while this goes on.

IT"S A MIRACLE!!!.. the BOSS has a change of heart and signs my visa...

Isn't this a great land!!!

I'd like to report her to someone, but who? they're all corrupt. One hand washes the other.

And I know if I did I'd either get kicked out of the country (they don't need a reason) any immigration officer can deport you at any time.

Or my next retirement visa wouldn't go through.

The Thai wife doesn't know "why" im so upset. This is Thailand and that's the way things are done.

That's why I'm upset...No one in your country gives a s*%t!!!

Is this supposed to be interesting? Let me tell you how I filed my 2008 tax returns. I'm sure you will (not) be riveted with interest... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Get an effin life fer f sake!

[dtaai-maai]

Kelpiekiss - your life tonight seems to be slagging off everyone else without saying anything interesting yourself. You might want to think about your own priorities.

[pitsch]

What has tax got to do with tea money ..........

It was in connection with declaring monthly income or lump sum. I considered to make another thread on income tax for retired people, but let sleeping dogs lie. Perhaps it could have consequences, if many people confess that they pay no tax, even if they should pay taxes.

[Lung Per]

What has tax got to do with tea money ..........

It was in connection with declaring monthly income or lump sum. I considered to make another thread on income tax for retired people, but let sleeping dogs lie. Perhaps it could have consequences, if many people confess that they pay no tax, even if they should pay taxes.

May I humbly suggest that confessions are confined to the confession chair of the church. If you do not confess in church, go whisper your secrets silently to the ocean in the middle of the night. Don't publish them here....

[Chas]

I was in there today for my 90 day report and they have a very pleasant, smiling and cheerful "older" woman doing the 90 day reports. ( "older" meaning that though she is much younger than me, she is not one of the witless young chippies you often get working in offices.

She filled out the form for me, even joked a little and I was out in 10 minutes. This is the second time I have had her doing my paperwork and it made the visit enjoyable.

Just thought a positive note might be nice here.


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