The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) recently passed a bill on land and buildings tax for effective land use. The bill seeks to release new provisions that follow current international property tax standards.

Outdated laws on property taxes and antiquated local development tax systems will be replaced with the said bill. Critics find property tax laws and policies to be no longer relevant.

New Thai Property Tax Bill in its Second Reading

During the bill's second reading, many NLA members worried about new tax rates as these might affects farmers and landlords with properties in areas with volatile land appraisal prices.

They also expressed their concern for senior citizens, who may have to pay tax despite having no income.

According to a government representative present during the second reading, the bill underwent heavy refinement. Lawmakers and proper parties conducted research before introducing it to the public. If approved, there is close to zero per cent likelihood that farmers or landlords will be affected.

Wisudhi Srisuphan, Deputy Finance Minister, was grateful to the lawmakers who strongly supported the legislation. He said: "The bill would encourage the use of land and provide funds for local bodies to develop their areas."

He believed that the bill could boost the Thai economy, reform the old property tax system and internationalise local tax standards.

Thai Property Tax Bill Proposed Provisions

Below are the tentative provisions of the new real estate tax bill:

Agricultural Lands Appraisal Prices & Corresponding Tax Rates

75 million baht - 0.01 per cent tax rate

75-100 million baht - 0.03 per cent tax rate

100-500 million baht - 0.05 per cent tax rate

Residential Lands & Buildings Appraisal Prices & Corresponding Tax Rates

50 million baht - 0.02 per cent tax rate

50-75 million baht - 0.03 per cent tax rate

75-100 million baht - 0.05 per cent tax rate

100 million baht or above - 0.1 per cent tax rate

First Homeowners that Own a House and Lot

First 50 million baht - exempted from tax

In terms of first homeowners, a tax exemption will be applied to the first 50 million baht of the appraisal prices of their houses in the event that they own both the home and the land.

Homeowners that Only Own houses But not land

First 10 million - exempted from tax

Commercial Lands Appraisal Prices & Corresponding Tax Rates

50 million baht - 0.03 per cent,

50-200 million baht - 0.4 per cent

200 million to 1 billion baht - 0.5 per cent

1-5 billion baht - 0.6 per cent

5 billion baht above - 0.7 per cent

Undeveloped Land

There will be a 0.03 per cent tax rate, which will increase by 0.3 per cent every three years until it reaches 3 per cent.

The new land and building taxation law will have 94 section. It will take effect immediately after publication in the Royal Gazette. Tax collection will begin on Jan 1, 2020.

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Source: [1]