Do I need a Work Permit?

**liaminoz** · 12-10-2009, 07:21 AM

Gents,
Can you please assist? I am a regular visitor to Thailand since 2002. Recently, while there I was offerred a contract with a major multinational, which would have me working in Thailand for about six months. They are happy to pay me in my home country or theirs, but of course the work performed will be in their Thai operations.
I imagine I need a work visa for this contract, and haven't a clue about how / where to start to process.
Thanks for your advice.
Liam

DaffyDuck · 12-10-2009, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by liaminoz

Gents,
Can you please assist? I am a regular visitor to Thailand since 2002. Recently, while there I was offerred a contract with a major multinational, which would have me working in Thailand for about six months. They are happy to pay me in my home country or theirs, but of course the work performed will be in their Thai operations.
I imagine I need a work visa for this contract, and haven't a clue about how / where to start to process.
Thanks for your advice.
Liam

They should know how to provide and the procedure.

**liaminoz** · 12-10-2009, 08:59 AM

Thanks Daffy,
I guess their HR people will handle it. However, since they interviewed me in Thailand, rather than as an expat hire, I thought they just may expect me to know the ropes.
At first I took the point of view that if I was contracted from, and paid in my own country, that I would be just like a visiting executive on assignment. Then I started to think I may have some problems with Thai officialdom.
As things proceed, I'll check with the HR people.
Cheers,
Liam

**Norton** · 12-10-2009, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by liaminoz

As things proceed, I'll check with the HR people.

Best way to go. The company will have a Thai registered company. HR will likely make you an employee of this company and hence you will need a work permit and be subject to Thai income tax.

**Panda** · 12-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Thailand has double taxation agreements with many countries.
http://www.boi.go.th/english/how/tax...agreements.asp

**Norton** · 12-10-2009, 12:19 PM

If Liam is paid through Thai company he will be need to pay Thai Income Tax. If his home country is listed in the Tax Agreement he will be exempt from paying income taxes on Thai earnings.

**liaminoz** · 13-10-2009, 12:37 PM

Many thanks for your input gents. This is new territory for me.
Cheers,
Liam

**liaminoz** · 28-10-2009, 01:14 PM

Gents,
Well there is always a complication. The company now wishes to pay me in Thailand. Throughout negotiations I thought I may receive a small Thai salary and be paid the rest in my home country of Australia. I really didn't care if it was taxed in either country (tax treaty exists) even though I have effective tax structures in place back home that I'd like to use.
My concern is how do I get the excess money out of Thailand each month to cover my expenses back home like mortgage etc. Some months this could be up to 400k baht.
Can anyone educate me about the rules with regard to transferring after tax money out of Thailand, or maybe some suggestions. I am thinking I should press the company a little more to split my pay between countries.
Appreciate your help once again.
BTW is there a more appropriate place for this post - I couldn't find one
G

**blueshift** · 29-10-2009, 02:15 AM

You only pay tax in Australia on foreign income if you maintain a residence in Australia. If you don't own property in Australia or you own a home, but rent it out, you are not considered a resident for tax reasons and your foreign income will not be taxed in Australia. You can transfer any amount of money to Australia and not be required to pay tax on it as long as you earned it overseas while residing overseas.

If on the other hand, you do maintain a residence in Australia like if you own a home and leave it unoccupied so you can stay there whenever you want, even if you never go there, the tax office will call you a resident for tax purposes and will want a percentage of your foreign income. That's why it's vitally important to rent out your house if you are working in another country.

If you're smart enough to earn a spare 400k every month, how come you haven't worked this out yourself?

**liaminoz** · 01-11-2009, 11:24 AM

That's not every month, but well I guess it all happened so fast & I managed to convince someone I had the smarts. I wonder myself.
The tax treaty means I only cop tax in total at the Aus rates, ie Aus will credit me for foreign taxes paid. My concern was are there any restriction on moving money (after tax has been paid oin it in Thailand) back to Australia.
Cheers,
G

**DrAndy** · 01-11-2009, 02:16 PM

no restrictions on sending money back, as far as I know

**Thaihome** · 02-11-2009, 02:35 PM

If the company is a major MNC then there should be no problem with putting your paycheck in AUD into an Australian bank and still having it be subject to Thai income tax. I am paid in USD into US bank, but pay Thai tax on 100% of income.
TH

Thread: Do I need a Work Permit?

Thread Tools

Display

Do I need a Work Permit?

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions