For the convenience of applicants for Re-Entry Permit in Bangkok, the Immigration Division 1 of the Immigration Bureau is now open for queue online booking service on their website. However, this service is exclusively available for Immigration Division 1, the Government Complex branch at Chaengwattana Road only.

In this queue online, the officer will check the information of the re-entry permit applicant in advance. Then the applicant could take the passport for Re-Entry Permit stamp and pay the fee on the booking time and date.

The form TM.8 will be printed out and the applicant’s photo will be taken by the system. This “One Stop Service” will be finished within 5 minutes under the conditions of correct and complete documents.

Consult with MSNA Legal Team for further details on how to queue online and obtaining a re-entry permit before departing Thailand.

If you are a visitor to Thailand, you shall be qualified to a VAT refund on goods that you purchased from retailers participating in the VAT refund scheme provided that you meet all the eligibility criteria and conditions as stated below.

Before departing Thailand, travelers will be eligible for a VAT refund if the following conditions are met:

• You are a non-Thai resident and not staying in Thailand up to 180 days in a current tax year;
• You are not a pilot or a cabin crew of any airline departing Thailand on duty;
• You purchased goods from stores displaying “VAT Refund for Tourists” sign;
• VAT refund only applies to goods taken out of Thailand with the eligible traveler within 60 days from the date of purchase; and
• You leave Thailand via an international airport.

If you wish to claim a refund of the tax paid on eligible goods, a proof of export is required. To claim for a VAT refund, contact Customs officials at the airport before checking in. The following documents must be available for inspection by Customs officials:

1. A valid passport;
2. VAT Refund Application Form (VAT Form 10);
3. An original receipt/tax invoice;
4. Goods that go with the original receipts.

If the declarations for VAT refund are correct, Customs officials will sign and stamp the VAT Refund Application Form, affix a sticker to the luggage containing the eligible goods, and return everything to you. After clearing Immigration for a VAT refund, the VAT Application Form approved by the Customs must be presented to the Revenue Department officials. If a claim is for small and expensive items such as jewelry, gold, watches, pens, glasses, etc, these items must be available for inspection at the VAT Refund Office again.

Thai Customs also remind travelers to allow extra time at the airport to have application stamped and eligible goods verified, keeping in mind that other passengers are also requesting these services. You should arrive at the airport even earlier than the time recommended by your airline to be at your boarding gate on time.

Contact MSNA, Tax Advisors for consultation on Thai taxation and further information about Tourist VAT Refund.

The Thai government has recently approved a new personal income tax structure which reduces the existing maximum rate of 37% to 35%. The new rates will take effect in the 2013 tax year.

The recently approved starting tax rate is 5%-10%. For more information, the new tax rates are summarized as follows:

Yearly net income (Baht) Personal Income Tax rate

Existing rate NEW rate

• 0-150,000 Exempt Exempt
• 150,001-300,000 10% 5%
• 300,001-500,000 10% 10%
• 500,001-750,000 20% 15%
• 750,001-1,000,000 20% 20%
• 1,000,001-2,000,000 30% 25%
• 2,000,001-4,000,000 30% 30%
• 4,000,001 upward 37% 35%

Please note that implementation of the above new tax rates are yet to be announced by the Thai Revenue Department. Old existing tax rates will still be applied until further notice. Contact MSNA Tax Advisors for Personal Income Tax computation and submission.

In the event of sickness or injury, if it is necessary that the insured person (patient) may be taken to other hospital for continuing diagnosis or treatment, reimbursement for transportation costs and further expenses of medical treatment may be allowed by the Social Security Office.

When the insured patient is in the same provincial area, if a motor car or an ambulance is used, additional reimbursement for actual expenses may be reimbursed but not exceeding Baht 500 per reimbursement. However, if a hired vehicle, a private transport or other vehicle is used, a lump sum reimbursement at the rate of Baht 300 per reimbursement may be paid. And if it is in other province, the Zone Office of Social Security may pay an extra reimbursement at Baht 6 per kilometer.

Know more about Thailand Social Security Fund and its benefits. Contact MSNA for social security registration and monthly contribution submission.

Question: We are renting a car under the company’s name for business purposes. Can we put the rental costs under the company’s expenses?

Answer:

Yes, you can use the rental cost of a passenger car or a bus with seats for no more 10 passengers as a deductible expense for tax purposes in the amount not exceeding Baht 36,000 including VAT per month per car for monthly or yearly rental or not exceeding Baht 1,200 including VAT per day per car for daily rental.

Know more about the allowed deductible expenses for tax computation. Consult with MSNA’s accountants and tax advisors for your accounting and taxation needs.

The recently approved Ministerial Regulation No. 292 amended the personal income tax exemptions on income such as money or any benefits received from the Provident Fund.

Before the amendment, the exemption was available only upon the death of the income recipient. Now it applies where an employee retires at the age of 55 or older, or where an employee retires before reaching 55 years old, but the money is retained in the fund when he/she reaches age 55.

As assessable income is exempted from inclusion for computation of income tax payment, this amendment will ensure support of an employee after retirement.

Contact MSNA’s tax advisors for personal income tax preparation and submission.