I left without paying my taxes - any penalties?

**oxfordstu** · 29th June 2012 08:04

I left Thailand about a year ago. At my last job, the school decided to change its status from a school to a company. I can only surmise that this was for tax purposes. Anyway, shortly afterwards all the teaching staff got tax statements and we had to go down to the tax office to see how much we "owed" because of this new status change. The average was about 40,000 baht. I (and a few others) was only a few months away from the end of my contract, so I decided not to pay, especially since I was leaving Thailand for other work.

My question is this: Will anything happen when I enter Thailand on Saturday? Will the immigration officer refuse me entry until I pay? My fears are probably unfounded but just want to make sure.

**cluezo** · 29th June 2012 08:19

Originally Posted by oxfordstu

My question is this: Will anything happen when I enter Thailand on Saturday? Will the immigration officer refuse me entry until I pay? My fears are probably unfounded but just want to make sure.

That's a good question because I wondered the same thing. I stiffed them for 17,000 baht and re-entered the Kingdom without a problem. However, since my departure, my previous passport expired and I was issued a new passport with a new passport number. I'm not sure I would have entered with my old passport number, though. Your WP, Tax ID, teachers license, etc are all linked to your passport number.

Originally Posted by oxfordstu

Will the immigration officer refuse me entry until I pay?

I would think so ....

**you_me_no_savy_talk_talk** · 29th June 2012 08:27

I wouldn't think so... that would be assuming that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.

**cluezo** · 29th June 2012 08:33

Originally Posted by you_me_no_savy_talk_talk

that would be assuming that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.

Or that data bit A knows what data bit B is doing. And that is possible.

I'll watch Locked Up Aboard and see if they catch her.

**TerryLH** · 29th June 2012 11:38

"...to see how much we "owed" because of this new status change."

Sorry, why would there be a difference because of a change in the business status? I think it's the same.
If you work here again,they might catch you through your Tax ID number.

Terry

**fred flintstone** · 29th June 2012 11:40

it makes no sense. Why would your tax bill be based on the schools status and not your income ?

**samsara** · 29th June 2012 12:22

very unlikely you have anything to worry about. only way immigration knows anything is if you have legal action taken against you. you think the school would do that? if so, then maybe you have something to worry about

new passports are a big deal (though, you would think it would not matter if the systems are truly synced up and well kept). a friend of mine goes back to his country every 1-2 yrs to get a new passport...has been living off of tourist visas for about 8 yrs now

**you_me_no_savy_talk_talk** · 29th June 2012 15:33

I thought the chips in the passports now were just biometric measurements; checking your nose is as big as it should be?? I thought only high profile, interpol wanted people could be put on??

A point in case... a friend of mine had an arrest warrant from the UK after getting into a pub fight. He came out to see me, and got back into the UK no problem. 2 months later he was picked up and put in strangeways (high secutiry prison). My point in mentioning the prison is that the judicial system thought it serious enough of a crime to send him to a Catergory A prison, but not high enough to enforce any ristrictions on him leaving/entering the country, or even informing immigration in UK as a means to pick him up quicker.

**dingoman13** · 29th June 2012 16:13

As long as they don't make you pay when you leave the country I wouldn't worry about it.

**meand** · 29th June 2012 17:56

If you give about 1/40 of what you owe to pretty much anybody that gives you problems, you'll be fine. So you have got about 40 get out of jail free cards.

**fred flintstone** · 29th June 2012 21:00

did immigration mention anything about you owing taxes last time when you left ?
If not i doubt if its an issue for you when you return.

**oxfordstu** · 29th June 2012 22:09

^No. I left 2 months after the job ended and I was supposed to pay them, but nothing happened when I left the country.

**buddahas** · 29th June 2012 22:18

I think 2 months is way too early for anything to "happen".

I think it's a risk.

**russellsimpson** · 29th June 2012 22:23

Originally Posted by oxfordstu

Will anything happen when I enter Thailand on Saturday? Will the immigration officer refuse me entry until I pay? My fears are probably unfounded but just want to make sure.

I know an individual in a similar situation.

And this individual has asked me that same question a few times lately..

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