Thai Taxation

Thai taxation in brief explanation is featured on this page. It is intended to give you a general
idea of Thai taxation. You need to consult with Thai tax experts like MSNA case by case for
the best results.
Corporate Income Tax
Thailands Corporate Income Tax is 15 to 30 % of net profit. (Read on for the reduced income
tax rates announced for 2012 onwards.) All juristic companies and partnerships registered in
Thailand are subject to income tax on the revenues earned from within and outside of Thailand.
A Thailand branch of a foreign company is subject to corporate income tax on the revenues
earned from within Thailand.
Generally foundations and associations pay income taxes at a rate of 2 % to 10 % of gross
revenues depending on the type of income. The foundations and associations prescribed by the
notification of the Ministry of Finance as public charity organizations are exempted from income
tax.
International transport companies pay income tax at a rate of three percent of gross ticket
receipts and three percent of gross freight charges.
An annual tax return must be filed by the corporate taxpayer within 150 days from the
accounting year-end. Every accounting period is 12 months except for newly incorporated
companies. Returns must be filed together with audited financial statements.
A corporate taxpayer also has to file a half-year tax return and pay 50% of the estimated annual
income tax by the end of the 8th month of the accounting year. Failure to pay the estimated tax or
underpayment by more than 25% may subject the taxpayer to a fine amounting to 20% of the
amount in deficit.
Companies listed with the Securities Exchange of Thailand, commercial banks, finance,
securities or credit foncier companies, or juristic companies or partnerships specified under the
rules prescribed by the Director-General of the Revenue Department, pay the half-year tax on the
actual net profit from the first six months of an accounting period. In such a case, the tax return
must be filed together with financial statements which have been reviewed by an auditor
approved by the Director-General.
Reduced Corporate Income Tax Rates
As a part of an initiative to promote Thailands competitiveness, below is the summary of the
recently enacted Royal Decree No. 530 by the Thai government in relation to the corporate
income tax reduction.

1. Companies or juristic partnerships (including companies listed on Stock Exchange of

Thailand):

Accounting period commencing on/after 1 January 2012, tax rate = 23%

Accounting period commencing on/after 1 January 2013, for the next 2 accounting periods,
tax rate = 20%
2. Companies or juristic partnerships, with fully paid up capital not exceeding Baht 5 million on
the last day of the accounting period and revenue of no more than Baht 30 million from sales of
goods or services during the accounting period (SMEs):

The portion of net profit of THB 1 150,000, tax rate = 0%

The portion of net profit of THB 150,001-1,000,000, tax rate = 15%

The portion of net profit over THB 1,000,000: tax rate = 23% for the accounting period
commencing on or after 1 January 2012 and 20% for the accounting period commencing on or
after 1 January 2013 onwards.
It should be noted that the income tax reduction to 20% for SMEs (companies or juristic
partnerships, with fully paid up capital not exceeding Baht 5 million on the last day of the
accounting period and revenue of no more than Baht 30 million from sales of goods or services
during the accounting period) does not have any limited period as opposed to other companies or
juristic partnerships.
In addition, the Royal Decree No. 531 has been enacted to reduce the corporate income tax for
the companies listed on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), except those for which are
still entitled to 20% corporate income tax rate. The applicable corporate income tax rate of 25%
on the first Baht 50 million of net profit for the accounting period commencing on or after 1
January 2011 shall be applied to the following:(i)
The company that has been listed prior to 1 January 2010 and entitled to the tax
reduction under the Royal Decree No. 467 (20% corporate income tax rate), and then completed
the utilization of the 20% rate for 3 consecutive accounting periods before 31 December 2011;
(ii)
The company that has been listed prior to 1 January 2010 and never been entitled to
the 20% corporate income tax rate under the Royal Decree No. 467;
(iii)

The company that has been listed during 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2011.

Personal Income Tax

Everyone that has assessable income from employment or business in Thailand, or has assets
located in Thailand, is subject to personal income tax, whether such income is paid in or outside
of Thailand. Exemptions are granted to certain persons, including United Nations officers,
diplomats and certain visiting experts, under the terms of international and bilateral agreements.
An individual who lives for 180 days or more in Thailand for any calendar year is subject to
income tax on all incomes from within Thailand and from foreign sources if that income is
brought into Thailand during the same year.
Different types of incomes have different rates of standard deductions. For example, the income
from employment is entitled to the rate of deduction of 40% but not exceeding Baht 60,000.
Standard deductions range from 10 % to 85 %. However, with some types of income, taxpayers
may choose to itemize expenses instead of taking the standard deductions specified by law. After
the standard deductions, the taxpayers are also entitled to deduct personal allowances and other
allowances permitted by law to derive the net taxable income.
Personal allowances

Baht 30,000 for the taxpayer

Baht 30,000 for the taxpayers spouse, who lives in Thailand

Baht 15,000 for each of the taxpayers children (maximum 3 children)

Baht 2,000 for each of the taxpayers children studying in Thailand

Baht 30,000 for each of taxpayers parents in his/her care

Specific allowances

Up to Baht 100,000 life insurance premium for the taxpayer and up to Baht 10,000 for the
taxpayers spouse that does not earn income if specific conditions are met.

Up to Baht 15,000 health insurance premium for the parents of the taxpayers or the
taxpayers spouses if specific conditions are met.

Up to Baht 100,000 for mortgage interest incurred for buying or building a residence in
Thailand.

Up to Baht 500,000 for investment in a Long Term Equity Fund (LTF) if specific
conditions are met.

Up to Baht 500,000 for investment in a Retirement Mutual Fund (RMF) if specific

conditions are met.

Actual amount of donations to specified charities, up to 10% of taxable income after all
other allowances are deducted.

200% of actual donations to support education at state and government educational

institutes, private schools and universities, but not exceeding 10% of taxable income after
all other allowances are deducted.

Personal income tax rates (effective for the year 2013 and 2014)
Net Taxable Income
(Thai Baht)
0 150,000
150,001 300,000
300,001 500,000
500,001 750,000
750,001 1,000,000
1,000,001
2,000,000
2,000,001
4,000,000
4,000,001 and more

Income tax
rate
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%

Personal income tax returns must be filed within of March 31 of the year following the year in
which the income was earned.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
VAT is levied at the rate of 7% on the value of goods sold and services rendered at every level,
including on importation. Certain categories of goods and services (e.g. exports) are zero-rated
(i.e. subject to 0% VAT). In addition, other categories of goods and services (e.g. sale of
agricultural products) are exempt from VAT.
Under the VAT system, the VAT registrant seller of goods or services must levy the VAT on the
purchaser. The seller is generally entitled to claim credit for any VAT paid on the acquisition of
its raw materials, stock, or other goods, or for services used in the business. This VAT credit is
generally not available with respect to entertainment expenses and certain specific expenditures.
A business, which sells zero-rated goods or services, is also entitled to a credit for VAT paid on
purchase of goods or services. However, a business, which sells exempt goods or services, is not
entitled to such a credit and must bear the VAT as its cost.
The VAT system places stringent registration and documentation obligations on the business.
VAT credits are only available if tax invoices in the prescribed form are received from suppliers.
There are monthly VAT return filing requirements and records that must be maintained to provide
an audit trail for revenue tax examiners.
Categories of goods and services zero rated and exempt from VATZero rated VAT

Goods exported from Thailand

Services performed in Thailand where the result or value of the services is used by a
juristic person outside Thailand

International air or sea transport services by a juristic person organized under Thai law

Goods or services provided to the Thai

Government under certain foreign loan or assistance projects

Goods or services provided to the United Nations, an embassy or consulate as prescribed

by law

Goods transferred between bonded warehouses

Exempt from VAT

Traders with less than Baht 1,800,000 revenue per annum

Agricultural produce excluding food products contained in cans, vessels or packages

manufactured on an industrial scale

Fertilizer

Fish meal and animal food

Drugs and chemicals for preventing or eradicating plant or animal pests or diseases

Newspapers, magazines or textbooks

Educational services provided by the Thai Government and by certain private schools and
colleges

Certain artistic and cultural services designated by the Thai Government

Services provided in healing, auditing, advocacy in court or any other specifically

designated liberal profession regulated by law

Designated research or technical services

Library, museum or zoological garden services

Services provided by employees under employment contracts

Services related to organizing amateur sports

Services of public entertainers specifically designated by the Thai Government

Domestic transport services

International transport other than by air or sea

Letting of immovable property

Services provided by local government authorities other than commercial services and
certain goods or services provided by a Thai government department

Goods and services exclusively for the benefit of a religious or public charity in Thailand

Sale of cigarettes manufactured by the Thai Tobacco Monopoly

Sale of government and Red Cross lotteries

Postage stamps

Rice milling

Other goods and services specifically designated by Royal Decree

Specific Business Tax (SBT)

Certain types of businesses (e.g. banking, finance, securities, insurance, pawn shop, sale of
immovable property in a commercial manner or for profits) are subject to Specific Business Tax
(SBT) rather than VAT. Businesses subject to SBT must pay VAT on their purchases of goods and
services but are not entitled to a VAT credit. The SBT ranges from 2.5 3.0 per cent on monthly
gross receipts.
When a monthly return is filed and SBT is paid, an additional amount of 10% of the SBT
payable is levied as a municipal tax.
An interesting note to the companies that do not engage in the businesses subject to SBT: During
the course of business operation, a lot of times, a company lends its money to its directors or
affiliates. When the company receives interest income on the money lent to its directors and
other companies, it has to file a Specific Business Tax Return (PT 40) and submit 3.3%
(including SBT and municipal tax) on the interest received within 15th of the following month.

Double Taxation Treaties (DTA)

Double Taxation treaties between Thailand and foreign countries cover taxes on income and
capital of individuals and juristic entities. The Petroleum income tax and the local development
tax (i.e. property tax) are covered under some treaties but Value Added Tax, Specific Business
Tax and Municipal Tax are not covered under any tax treaties. Thai double taxation treaties
generally place a resident of the Contracting State in a more favorable position for Thai tax
purposes than under the domestic law, i.e. the Thai Revenue Code. In general, Thai double
taxation treaties provide income tax exemption on business profits (industrial and commercial
profits) earned in Thailand by a resident of a Contracting State if it does not have a permanent
establishment in Thailand. In addition, the withholding taxes on payments of income to foreign
juristic entities not carrying on business in Thailand may be reduced or exempted under the
double taxation treaties.
As of February 2012, Thailand has double taxation treaties with 55 countries, which are
Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan,
Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South
Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United
States of America, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.