Explanatory Notes
RE: Tax Incentives for Donation made to Victims from Earthquake in Nepal
Due to a tragic earthquake that took place in Nepal on April 25, 2015
and the aftershocks that followed, Nepalese citizens are severely suffered with loss
of lives and properties. From the incident, there are public and private sectors in
Thailand who are willing to help the victims from the earthquake by gathering money
and goods on behalf of other Thais to donate to the victims.
Under the following regulations and conditions, a donor who donates money
or goods to the above mentioned public or private sector is entitled to use the donated
money or the value of donated assets or goods as an allowance or tax deduction for tax
purpose:
1. Individual Taxpayer
Individuals who donate “money” to a government agency or a private sector
acting as a donating agent can use the donated amount as an allowance in calculating their
personal income tax. When combine the allowance with other donations, the total amount
shall not exceed 10 percent of net assessable income (assessable income less deduction
and allowances).
2. Company or juristic partnership
A company or a juristic partnership who donates “money or assets” to a
government agency or a private sector acting as a donating agent can use the donated
amount as deductible expense in calculating its corporate income tax. When combine the
expense for public charity or for public benefit, the total amount shall not exceed 2 percent
of net profit.
3. Value Added Tax (VAT)
The VAT registrants who donate their assets or goods to a government agency
or a private sector acting as a donating agent do not have to include the value of donated
assets or goods as a tax base for its VAT calculation.
4. Documents required for claiming the donation allowance or expense
deduction are the followings:
4.1 In case of donating to a government agency such as the Prime Minister’s
Office or the Ministry of Foreign affairs, a donation certificate issued by that government
agency is required, or;
4.2 In case of donating to a donating agent who is a company or a juristic
partnership or any other juristic person, such as a television station or the Federation of Thai
Industries, a donation certificate issued by the donating agent is required, or;
4.3 In case of donating by depositing money to a government sector’s
account or a company’s or a juristic partnership’s or any other juristic person’s account for
helping earthquake victims in Nepal, a deposit receipt or a bank slip is required.