Relocation tax guideMoving to Thailand: Taxes for Expats 2026
Thailand taxes residents (those present 180+ days in a year) on Thai-source income and, since 2024, on foreign income they bring into Thailand - though income earned before 2024 is grandfathered. The top personal rate is 35%, VAT is 7%, and there is no separate capital gains tax (gains are taxed as income). The 10-year LTR visa offers tax concessions for qualifying applicants.
Thailand has long been a base for retirees and remote workers, and for years foreign income was effectively untaxed unless brought in the same year it was earned. That changed in 2024. This guide explains how Thailand now taxes foreign income, the tax benefits attached to the Long-Term Resident visa, and when you become a Thai tax resident - with the headline rates drawn from the country breakdown.
Thailand: key tax rates
| Tax | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 20%Headline corporate income tax rate | PwC Worldwide Tax Summariesas of 2026-02-02 |
| Top personal income tax | 35%Top progressive personal income tax rate | PwC Worldwide Tax Summariesas of 2026-02-02 |
| VAT / GST (standard) | 7%Standard VAT rate (a reduced rate from the statutory 10%) | PwC Worldwide Tax Summariesas of 2026-02-02 |
| Capital gains | Taxed as incomeCapital gains are taxed at the normal personal or corporate income-tax rates | PwC Worldwide Tax Summariesas of 2026-02-02 |
| Inheritance / wealth tax | Up to 10%Inheritance tax on the portion of an estate over THB 100 million (5% for ascendants/descendants, 10% for others) | PwC Worldwide Tax Summariesas of 2026-02-02 |
The LTR visa + foreign-income remittance rules regime
From 2024, foreign income earned on or after 1 January 2024 and remitted to Thailand is taxable in the year it is brought in; income earned before 2024 remains outside the change. The 10-year Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa offers concessions for qualifying categories.
Thailand taxes residents on a remittance basis: foreign-source income is taxed when it is brought into Thailand. Until 2024 only income remitted in the same year it was earned was caught; a 2023 Revenue Department order closed that timing gap for income earned from 1 January 2024, so such income is now taxable in whichever year it is remitted. Foreign income earned before 2024 is grandfathered. The LTR visa (a 10-year residence permit) carries tax benefits for some applicant categories.
- Residents are taxed on Thai-source income and on foreign income remitted into Thailand.
- From 2024, foreign income earned on or after 1 January 2024 is taxable when remitted, regardless of the year remitted; income earned before 2024 is grandfathered and stays outside the change.
- The 10-year LTR visa can exempt foreign income brought in for qualifying categories, and offers a 17% flat personal rate for eligible highly skilled professionals.
- There is no separate capital gains tax; gains are generally taxed as ordinary income.
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Thailand (as of 2026-06-24).
| Item | Under the LTR visa | Standard resident rules |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign income brought into Thailand | Exempt for qualifying LTR categories | Taxable when remitted if earned from 2024 (pre-2024 income grandfathered) |
| Top personal income tax | 17% flat for eligible highly skilled professionals | Progressive up to 35% |
| Residence permit length | 10 years | Annual / visa-dependent |
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Thailand (as of 2026-06-24).
When you become a tax resident
You are a Thai tax resident if you are present in Thailand for 180 days or more in a calendar year. Residents are taxed on Thai-source income and on foreign-source income they bring into Thailand; non-residents are taxed only on Thai-source income.
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Thailand (Residence) (as of 2026-06-24).
The 2024 remittance change
For decades, a Thai resident's foreign income was taxed only if it was brought into Thailand in the same calendar year it was earned - so income remitted in a later year escaped Thai tax. A Revenue Department order effective 1 January 2024 removed that timing gap for income earned from that date: such foreign income is now taxable in the year it is remitted, whichever year that is. Crucially, foreign income earned before 1 January 2024 is grandfathered and remains outside the change.
The practical effect is on the timing and sourcing of remittances rather than on the rates. Anyone living in Thailand on overseas income should confirm how the current rules apply to their situation, as the treatment of pre-2024 savings and double-tax relief can be involved.
The LTR visa
The Long-Term Resident visa is a 10-year residence permit aimed at wealthy individuals, pensioners, remote professionals working for overseas employers, and highly skilled workers in targeted industries. Depending on the category, it can exempt qualifying foreign income brought into Thailand and offer a flat personal rate for skilled professionals. The benefits are category-specific, so eligibility should be confirmed before relying on them.
Before you move: what to weigh
- The timing of remittances matters again from 2024 for income earned on or after 1 January 2024; pre-2024 income is grandfathered.
- There is no separate capital gains tax; most gains are taxed as ordinary income at rates up to 35%.
- LTR visa tax benefits depend on the category you qualify under - they are not automatic.
- US citizens remain taxable by the US on worldwide income; the Thailand-US treaty and foreign-tax credits then apply.
Get this right for your situation
Cross-border tax turns on your specific facts. Find a tax professional who works with people moving to Thailand.
Does Thailand tax foreign income?
Yes, on a remittance basis: foreign income is taxed when brought into Thailand by a resident. Since 2024, income earned on or after 1 January 2024 is taxable whichever year it is remitted; income earned before 2024 is grandfathered. Qualifying LTR-visa categories can be exempt on foreign income brought in.
What tax benefits does the Thailand LTR visa give?
The 10-year LTR visa can exempt qualifying foreign income brought into Thailand for some categories and offers a 17% flat personal rate for eligible highly skilled professionals in targeted industries. Benefits are category-specific, so confirm which apply to you before relying on them.
When are you a Thai tax resident?
When you spend 180 days or more in Thailand in a calendar year. Residents are taxed on Thai-source income and on foreign income brought into Thailand; non-residents are taxed only on Thai-source income. Confirm your position, as double-tax treaties can change the outcome.
Informational only, not tax advice. Cross-border tax depends on your personal circumstances and changes often; figures are dated to their sources. Confirm your position with a qualified professional before moving or filing.
Important disclaimer
Informational only — not tax advice. This page summarises publicly available information about tax in Thailand as of July 2026. Tax laws change, individual circumstances vary, and the application of any rule depends on your specific facts.
TaxProsRated does not provide tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice. Before acting on anything you read here, consult a qualified tax professional licensed in your jurisdiction (in the US: CPA, Enrolled Agent, or attorney; in the UK: CIOT- or ATT-qualified adviser; in Australia: TPB-registered tax agent; elsewhere: a locally-licensed equivalent). TaxProsRated, its operators, and its contributors disclaim all liability for action taken in reliance on this page.