Thailand cracks down on social media influencers, online sellers, demands taxes
Thailand will begin taxing social media influencers and online sellers for the work they do.
The country’s Revenue Department said many young people earning money online have never filed tax returns. Officials are now urging them to do so before the deadline at the end of March or risk facing fines.
Pinsai Suraswadi, who leads the Revenue Department, said influencers, e-commerce sellers, and product reviewers must report their income.
He warned that tax officers can check records going back five years. If people do not file their taxes, they will have to pay penalties. However, he added that mistakes in tax filings can be corrected.
Thailand has a booming online economy with about three million people selling products on platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok.
There are also about two million full-time influencers and content creators, with millions more doing it part-time. Many young people in this group make good money but fail to report their earnings and pay taxes.
A study by research groups, including Tellscore and FutureTales LAB, found that Thailand’s content creator industry adds at least 45 billion baht ($1.25 billion) to the economy each year. The number of creators rises to nine million when part-time workers and “micro-influencers” are included.
Authorities say they are not trying to stop anyone from making money online, they just want people to follow tax rules like everyone else.
