Local Tax Authority

[4niceight 32]

I am considering investing in a UK Government savings scheme, and they tell me that, because I live abroad, amongst other things, I need "a certified copy of a letter or notification" from my local tax authority, which must include my name and current address. My initial reaction was that any letter is likely to be in Thai script, but they tell me that's acceptable. I assume that I can get the letter certified by Barry Kenyon, the local UK consul, or any lawyer.

Has anyone ever asked for a similar letter. Any advice on how to go about getting it. Where to go for it.

FYI I am retired here in Pattaya and don't pay tax here.

[bigmick 840]

The only thing i can suggest is you go to see Pico at Magna Carta on the corner of third rd and pattaya south rd. Avery good lawyer and he can help you with just about any issue you need help with, he is also a Notary which im sure you will need for something like this, hope this helps

[Bazle 1,500]

I am considering investing in a UK Government savings scheme, and they tell me that, because I live abroad, amongst other things, I need "a certified copy of a letter or notification" from my local tax authority, which must include my name and current address. My initial reaction was that any letter is likely to be in Thai script, but they tell me that's acceptable. I assume that I can get the letter certified by Barry Kenyon, the local UK consul, or any lawyer.

Has anyone ever asked for a similar letter. Any advice on how to go about getting it. Where to go for it.

FYI I am retired here in Pattaya and don't pay tax here.

The UK consul is completely different from the Thai tax authority!!

 

You don't say but my guess is that the purpose of the letter is to enable interest to be paid to you gross (i.e. without deduction of UK tax). If that is the case, it is likely that the letter is to provide evidence that you are tax resident in Thailand. Going to the Thai tax authority asking for such a letter could be opening Pandora's box.

[4niceight 32]

The UK consul is completely different from the Thai tax authority!!

 

You don't say but my guess is that the purpose of the letter is to enable interest to be paid to you gross (i.e. without deduction of UK tax). If that is the case, it is likely that the letter is to provide evidence that you are tax resident in Thailand. Going to the Thai tax authority asking for such a letter could be opening Pandora's box.

Don't guess. You are wrong. My situation is as stated. Also please read my post correctly. I certainly know that Barry Kenyon has nothing to do with the local tax authorities.

[jacko 8,822]

Don't guess. You are wrong. My situation is as stated. Also please read my post correctly. I certainly know that Barry Kenyon has nothing to do with the local tax authorities.

If you know Barry Kenyon has nothing to do with local Tax authority perhaps you know where the Thai tax office is to get this letter. Barry, who hangs around Immigration, might be able to supply you with the information you need.

I was also asked for a similar letter, it is the UK government playing police for other country's tax collection.

I dropped the idea and looked elsewhere.

I agree with the 'Pandoras Box' fear above.

Also being retired in Thailand does not mean you are not liable for tax here.

[4niceight 32]

If you know Barry Kenyon has nothing to do with local Tax authority perhaps you know where the Thai tax office is to get this letter. Barry, who hangs around Immigration, might be able to supply you with the information you need.

I was also asked for a similar letter, it is the UK government playing police for other country's tax collection.

I dropped the idea and looked elsewhere.

I agree with the 'Pandoras Box' fear above.

Also being retired in Thailand does not mean you are not liable for tax here.

You're right Jacko in all you say, but I don't know where the tax office is. I suppose I could do a search for that but I was looking for any first hand experiences. I think that maybe Bigmick has the best idea and I should use Magna Carta. Maybe they can get the letter for me and do all the certification too. That is, if I decide to go ahead. I wonder how much they'd charge.

[macam 0]

They changed the tax laws about working and living outside the UK a couple of years ago; before if you were outside the UK for ten months you could automatically claim your tax back but now you have to prove where you have been paying tax to claim your UK tax; so what I think they are looking for is are you paying tax in Thailand; if yes this would make you exempt from paying in the UK ‘however’ If you can prove you have lived outside the UK (I believe for four years) there should not be a problem. You may also consider registering with the UK tax man informing him you are no longer living in the UK ‘but’ should you need to return to the UK for medical treatment you may have a problem getting it.

[4niceight 32]

They changed the tax laws about working and living outside the UK a couple of years ago; before if you were outside the UK for ten months you could automatically claim your tax back but now you have to prove where you have been paying tax to claim your UK tax; so what I think they are looking for is are you paying tax in Thailand; if yes this would make you exempt from paying in the UK ‘however’ If you can prove you have lived outside the UK (I believe for four years) there should not be a problem. You may also consider registering with the UK tax man informing him you are no longer living in the UK ‘but’ should you need to return to the UK for medical treatment you may have a problem getting it.

Thanks macam. On Monday this week I went to the tax office in Chonburi and am now awaiting a letter from them which is similar to the residence certificate which you can get from Immigration. It didn't cost me a satang. I have (unfortunately) already advised the UK tax authorities that I am living in Thailand and am aware of the problems getting health treatment back in UK. However I have worldwide health insurance. I say "unfortunately" because I left UK 6 years ago and wanted to keep my NI stamps up to date with class 3 contributions at 7GBP per week. It transpires that the law changed on the qualifying years and I had no need to pay further stamps. The sad thing about it is that when I'm due for my OAP in two and a half years I won't get it index linked. Also I can't claim Pension Credit. Wish I'd never told them!

[Bazle 1,500]

.............. I left UK 6 years ago and wanted to keep my NI stamps up to date with class 3 contributions at 7GBP per week. It transpires that the law changed on the qualifying years and I had no need to pay further stamps.

You might be able to get a refund - see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic/vc3-important.htm

 

(PS This post is an attempt to be helpful, as was my post above which appears not to have been taken that way.)

[atlas2 4,329]

When will you learn 4niceight........Always walk in the shadows!!

[4niceight 32]

You might be able to get a refund - see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nic/vc3-important.htm

 

(PS This post is an attempt to be helpful, as was my post above which appears not to have been taken that way.)

Yes, thanks, Bazle. I got a refund, but only backdated about a year. I actually requested it over the phone and surprisingly they credited my bank account without a written request.

[4niceight 32]

When will you learn 4niceight........Always walk in the shadows!!

Can't do right for doing wrong, eh?

[macam 0]

The sad thing about it is that when I'm due for my OAP in two and a half years I won't get it index linked. Also I can't claim Pension Credit. Wish I'd never told them!

They are actually debiting the UK pension in the European law courts because of that so you never know you may get index linked