Thailand Personal Income Tax and the 2024 Foreign Income Rule
Thailand PIT rates (2026): 0% (up to THB 150,000), 5% (THB 150,001–300,000), 10% (300,001–500,000), 15% (500,001–750,000), 20% (750,001–1,000,000), 25% (1,000,001–2,000,000), 30% (2,000,001–5,000,000), 35% (above 5,000,000). Key 2024 rule change: Previously, foreign-source income remitted to Thailand was only taxable if remitted in the same year it was earned. This allowed a popular planning strategy of deferring remittances to subsequent years. Revenue Department Departmental Instruction Paw 161/2566 (effective from tax year 2024): foreign income is now taxable if remitted to Thailand in any year — regardless of when it was earned. This significantly changes the tax treatment of foreign savings brought into Thailand by long-term residents. Thai-source income: always taxable in Thailand regardless of residency status. Residency: Thailand taxes residents (those spending 180+ days in Thailand in a tax year) on Thai-source income and all foreign income remitted to Thailand. Non-residents: taxed on Thai-source income only at the same progressive rates.
Departure Procedures and Final Thai PIT Return
No Thai exit tax: Thailand does not impose a departure tax on exiting residents. No deemed disposition of assets on departure. Final PIT return: Thai tax year = calendar year. File the annual PIT return (Form PND 90 or PND 91 for employment income) covering January 1 to December 31 of the departure year — file by March 31 of the following year (or August 31 with extension). If you depart mid-year: you file for the full calendar year but report only income earned while Thai-resident plus any Thai-source income after departure. Thai tax ID (TIN): your Thai TIN (from the Revenue Department) remains registered unless formally deregistered. If you retain Thai income-generating assets, keep the TIN active for ongoing non-resident filings. Work permit: cancel your work permit (if applicable) before departure — your employer typically handles this; ensure the Department of Employment is notified. LTR Visa specific: LTR Visa holders using the 17% flat rate benefit — the benefit ceases on departure from Thailand. If you return to Thailand and re-establish residency under a standard visa: revert to progressive PIT rates (the 17% flat rate is available only to active LTR Visa holders).
Social Security Office (SSO) Contributions: Refund on Departure
Thailand's Social Security Office (SSO) — the Social Security Act — requires contributions from both employers (5% of salary) and employees (5% of salary) up to a monthly salary cap of THB 15,000 (maximum employee contribution THB 750/month). Benefits: healthcare, disability, maternity, unemployment, and old-age pension. For departing foreign workers: SSO refund (bàng khwam prachasamphan): foreign employees who have been contributing to SSO and are permanently leaving Thailand can apply for a refund of their SSO contributions (employee portion only — employer contributions are not refunded). Application deadline: within 2 years of departure from Thailand. Application: submit to the SSO office with: passport, work permit (or copy), SSO card, Thai bank account or international transfer details. Refund amount: the employee's accumulated contributions (5% of monthly salary up to THB 750/month × number of contribution months). SSO old-age pension: the SSO old-age lump sum (bà-năm chăn): if you have contributed for fewer than 180 months, you receive a lump sum of your contributions; above 180 months, you receive a monthly pension from age 55. For most foreign workers with shorter tenures: the lump sum or refund option is applicable.
Thai Property: Non-Resident Sale and Rental
Foreigners generally cannot own Thai land directly (Land Code, Section 86). Options: Thai company structure; condominium ownership (up to 49% of units in a project may be foreign-owned); long-term lease (up to 30 years, renewable). Condo ownership is the most common form for foreign property investment in Thailand. Sale of Thai condominium as non-resident: Specific Business Tax (SBT): 3.3% of appraised or sales price (if held less than 5 years as a primary residence, or business-use property). If SBT does not apply (held as primary residence >5 years, or by individual): 0.5% Stamp Duty applies instead. Withholding tax at source: buyer/transfer agent withholds PIT based on a formula: appraisal price − (appraisal price × useful life percentage) = assessable gain. Progressive PIT applies on the per-year gain. Tax on the gain is withheld at the Land Department at the time of transfer. Rental income as non-resident: 15% withholding tax on Thai-source rental income. Corporate rental income: standard CIT (20%) if via a Thai company. Reporting: non-residents with Thai rental income file an annual PIT return.
LTR Visa Departure Planning
Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa (launched 2022 by the Thai Board of Investment) offers: 10-year renewable visa; 17% flat personal income tax rate on Thai-source employment income; foreign income exemption under Thailand's territorial system; no work permit required for eligible categories. On departure from Thailand: LTR Visa 17% rate benefit: the 17% rate applies only while you are a Thai tax resident holding an active LTR Visa. On departure: rate benefit ceases. If you have Thai employment income (from a Thai company) that continues after departure: non-resident withholding at progressive rates applies. Foreign income held outside Thailand: the 2024 remittance rule applies only when remitted to Thailand. If you depart Thailand and never remit the foreign income to Thailand after departure: no Thai tax on that foreign income. Prudent planning: before formally departing Thailand, review any planned remittances of foreign income earned while Thai-resident — under the 2024 rules, these are now taxable. 'Clean up' the timing of large remittances before or after residency carefully. Thai Provident Fund (PVD): employer-sponsored voluntary retirement savings scheme. On departure: typically withdraw with employer approval; 30% withholding on contributions held less than 5 years; reduced rates for longer contributions.