Andy1961

Hi all, OP here. A quick update on my original query re not paying UK tax. I sent the relevant form to HMRC in early September last year and they finally got to deal with it on 29 April. Wonderful service ???? But...a very small box on the form needed to be completed by my local tax office here in Thailand and the very nice lady there would not do that. She registered me for tax and gave me a card but of course HMRC would not accept that, even though I had it translated for them. They told me the Thai tax authority DOES stamp/sign these forms as they deal with them many times. So now I will visit the Pattaya tax office who I hope have more experience in dealing with us farangs.

Apologies if this in the wrong forum, I searched elsewhere but couldn't find anything about tax. I am moving to Thailand on an O-A retirement visa and will have a private pension through Canada Life and another smaller civil service pension. I know the UK taxman will get his claws into the civil service pension but as this will be less than my personal allowance I hope to receive it without the deduction of UK tax. I spoke to the UK tax office today and they told me my Canada Life pension will be taxed until I get a Double Taxation Agreement signed by the Thai tax authority and I have sent that document back to the UK. As my CL pension will be paid direct into my Thai bank account I was under the impression I would not be liable for UK tax on it. I'm guessing there are many British expats who receive a private pension in Thailand so can anyone advise whether the above is the right way to go....or point me in the direction of an accountant in the Pattaya area that won't charge me a fortune in fees? Many thanks all.