Thailand Tax for Expats — Key Facts
Thailand changed its tax rules for foreign income on 1 January 2024 — and it's the topic most discussed in Phuket expat Facebook groups right now. For years, the conventional wisdom was: "keep your foreign income offshore for one year, then bring it in, and it's tax-free." That loophole officially closed. Now, foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand in the same year it's earned is assessable for Thai tax.
For many Phuket expats — especially retirees living on pensions, remote workers earning salaries abroad, and people with investment income — this change has real implications. Here's the honest breakdown of what changed, who it affects, and what most people actually need to do.
What Changed on 1 January 2024
Under Thailand Revenue Department Order P.161/2566, foreign-sourced income brought into Thailand on or after 1 January 2024 is assessable income in the year it is remitted — regardless of when it was earned. The old rule (income earned in a prior year could be brought in tax-free) no longer applies.
This affects Thai tax residents (anyone spending 180+ days in Thailand in a calendar year) who bring money from abroad. The key point: the income must be remitted to Thailand to be assessable. Money kept in foreign bank accounts is not automatically taxed. Money transferred to your Thai bank account (KBank, Bangkok Bank, etc.) from foreign accounts may be assessable.
Thai Personal Income Tax Rates 2026
| Taxable Income (THB) | Rate | Tax on Band | Cumulative Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 150,000 | 0% | 0 | ฿0 |
| 150,001 – 300,000 | 5% | ฿7,500 | ฿7,500 |
| 300,001 – 500,000 | 10% | ฿20,000 | ฿27,500 |
| 500,001 – 750,000 | 15% | ฿37,500 | ฿65,000 |
| 750,001 – 1,000,000 | 20% | ฿50,000 | ฿115,000 |
| 1,000,001 – 2,000,000 | 25% | ฿250,000 | ฿365,000 |
| 2,000,001 – 5,000,000 | 30% | ฿900,000 | ฿1,265,000 |
| Above 5,000,000 | 35% | – | – |
These are rates on taxable income after deductions. Most expats benefit from significant deductions (personal allowance ฿60,000, expenses 50% up to ฿100,000, age allowance ฿190,000 for over 65s, insurance premium deductions, charitable deductions). Rates March 2026 — verify with Revenue Department.
Deductions That Reduce Your Thai Tax Bill
| Deduction | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | ฿60,000 | Every Thai taxpayer gets this |
| Spouse allowance | ฿60,000 | If spouse has no income |
| Child allowance | ฿30,000 per child | Up to 3 children (฿60,000 for 2nd+ born after 2018) |
| Age 65+ allowance | ฿190,000 | For taxpayers aged 65 and over |
| Earned income deduction | 50% (max ฿100,000) | Applies to employment/professional income |
| Life insurance premium | Up to ฿100,000 | Thai-issued life insurance only |
| Health insurance premium | Up to ฿25,000 | Thai-issued health insurance only |
| Parents' allowance | ฿30,000 per parent | If supporting Thai parents aged 60+ with income under ฿30,000 |
Double Taxation Agreements — Your Protection
Thailand has Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with 61 countries including the UK, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and most EU members. The US has a limited DTA with Thailand (covering business profits but not most personal income). Canada has a DTA. These agreements typically prevent you paying tax on the same income twice.
How DTAs work in practice: if you're a UK retiree paying UK tax on your pension and then remitting that pension to Phuket, the UK–Thailand DTA generally means Thailand won't tax that pension income again. However, the specific rules vary by treaty and income type. Not all income types (investment income, rental income, etc.) are treated the same way in every DTA.
The honest answer: the majority of retirees living on modest pensions in Phuket who have never filed a Thai tax return are still not filing. The Revenue Department's enforcement capacity for individual expats with foreign income is limited. However, the legal position is clear: if you're a tax resident bringing in foreign income, you should file. The practical risk of not filing has increased since 2024, and specific high-visibility categories (LTR visa holders, large property transactions) are scrutinised more carefully.
LTR Visa — Special Tax Treatment
The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa, launched in 2022, comes with a significant tax benefit: LTR visa holders who are formally recognised under the BOI scheme may be eligible for a flat 17% income tax rate on Thai-sourced employment income (for the "Highly Skilled Professional" category) and may have different treatment for their foreign income depending on their category.
For the "Wealthy Global Citizen" and "Wealthy Pensioner" LTR categories, specific income exemptions may apply. This is an area where you need a Thai tax accountant — the rules are complex and the BOI issues formal rulings. See our LTR visa guide for visa eligibility and our guide to finding a Phuket tax accountant — including costs and what to look for.
What to Do in Practice
If you're a retiree on a small pension (under ฿1M remitted)
At minimum: consult a local tax accountant (1 hour, around ฿1,500–3,000) to review your specific situation, DTA position, and whether filing is warranted. Many retirees with modest pensions protected by DTA treaties have no Thai tax liability after applying personal allowances and DTA exemptions. An accountant will tell you definitively.
If you're a remote worker remitting salary income
This is the most complex category post-2024. Depending on your DTA position and how your employment is structured, you may have meaningful Thai tax liability. Some remote workers have restructured how they receive income (e.g., keeping it offshore longer, changing payment timing) in response to the 2024 change. This requires professional advice specific to your visa type and home country DTA.
Where to file a Thai tax return in Phuket
The Phuket Revenue Department is at Narisara Road, Phuket Town (near Saphan Hin). Open Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:30pm. Online filing is available via rd.go.th — the Thai Revenue Department's e-filing system supports English. The filing deadline is 31 March for paper returns and 8 April for online. You'll need a Thai Tax ID number (TIN) — apply at the Revenue Department with your passport and visa.