Doing Business in Thailand – Personal Income Tax

An overview of Thailand’s 2013 personal income tax reforms, including the new tax brackets and the Constitutional Court ruling allowing married couples to file taxes separately.

New Personal Income Tax Provisions for 2013

2012 marked the beginning of a significant reduction in Thailand’s corporate income tax rate, which dropped from the long-established 30% to 23% in 2012, and further to 20% in 2013. For 2013, the Thai government also decided to reduce personal income tax rates for Thai tax residents.

Old rates (2012):

Net Income (THB)Tax Rate
0 – 150,000Exempted
150,001 – 500,00010.00%
500,001 – 1,000,00020.00%
1,000,001 – 4,000,00030.00%
4,000,001+37.00%

The new system introduces more tax brackets and reduces the rate for several income levels.

New rates (2013):

Net Income (THB)Tax Rate
0 – 150,000Exempted
150,001 – 300,0005.00%
300,001 – 500,00010.00%
500,001 – 750,00015.00%
750,001 – 1,000,00020.00%
1,000,001 – 2,000,00025.00%
2,000,001 – 4,000,00030.00%
4,000,001+35.00%

In addition to the new rates, the government was required to implement a ruling of the Constitutional Court. Previously, married couples were required to combine spousal income for personal income tax purposes; the Court found this regulation unconstitutional and ruled that husbands and wives must be permitted to file separately.

For employment income, married couples may now choose to file jointly or separately. Note that under a separate filing, each spouse remains liable for any unpaid taxes of the other.

Need Legal Advice in Thailand

Contact Duensing Kippen in Bangkok or Phuket for an initial consultation.

Other Publications

Owning Thai real estate through a BVI or other offshore company may help with capital gains on a sale — but does it actually...
In Thailand government officials are generally considered much more authoritative than in western countries. Thai culture also considers non‐conflict to be a virtue of...