Turn the crisis into an opportunity Adjusting the Thai tax structure for sustainability

            This time will be the only opportunity that I think the government can turn the crisis into an opportunity to reform the Thai tax structure. Because the government must provide assistance to citizens and entrepreneurs. With a credit limit of 1.99 million baht, the person receiving assistance should register with a new Smart Card. The government will transfer the money to the card. and spend with this card only Instead of transferring money in cash into the account

            Why am I writing about tax restructuring during Covid-19 when in fact the government has a policy?
Ease in paying taxes for entrepreneurs and taxpayers, whether it be extending the time for filing taxes or reducing the withholding tax rate. But I think it's a solution to the problem at the root cause. It does not solve the problem of the country's tax structure in a sustainable way. In addition, the government will have an additional 1.99 million baht to support or alleviate suffering for the people. Therefore, I think that in this crisis, the government should use this opportunity to bring information from those who will benefit from government assistance to use in restructuring the road. Go ahead and tax it.

            I have proposed that What measures should the government have to help income earners who are good citizens in paying taxes all the time? When those people are in trouble In order to create a new culture for Thai people to understand the duty of paying taxes for the country, that the government will not abandon this group of taxpayers. In addition to helping poor or low-income people The government already has a duty to help these groups of people.

            Therefore, I see that this time will be the only opportunity that I think the government can turn the crisis into an opportunity to reform the Thai tax structure. Because the government must provide assistance to citizens and entrepreneurs. With a credit limit of 1.99 million baht, the person receiving assistance should register with a new Smart Card. The government will transfer the money to the card. and spend with this card only Instead of transferring money in cash into the account

            I don't want to see all this free money go to waste. Because of the money the government gave May be used against persons outside the tax system. without having the opportunity to reform the Thai tax structure at all

            I will not give my opinion. From the budget that the government has proposed measures worth 1.99 million baht, which group of people should be helped? Because there are many people offering opinions. And the government is considering various details. At present, I understand that Currently, there is a five-party committee established by the private sector to coordinate with the government working group as follows:

1. Low interest loan measures (Soft Loan)
2. Measures for re-opening businesses
3. Measures for SME businesses
4. Measures for the agricultural sector
5. Measures to solve digital problems

            My proposal may be combined with the above measures for both the private sector and joint proposals. I believe that the government should take this opportunity to adjust the financial and fiscal structure of Thailand, specifically in restructuring the Thai tax structure. Because if the money supported by the government can be fully used in the tax system It will cause the circulation of money in the system. and can truly reach those in need

            The government should take this opportunity to have information to register people receiving assistance in all sectors. Using digital measures, information will be taken of those who will receive government assistance. Whether it's citizens, farmers, entrepreneurs, employees from many ministries coming together to gather information and issue a single Smart Card (expanded from PromptPay or the Pracharat card system or Thai people don't abandon each other) to be used as data for driving analysis. and helping those people quickly and directly Because at present this information is scattered. By transferring money to spend via Smart Card instead of just transferring into the account.

            Therefore, I would like to propose a reform of the Thai tax structure along with money to provide assistance to citizens, employees, and business operators who are in distress, divided into 5 issues as follows.

Issue 1. Registration of assistance recipients and organize a system for spending money without cash (Cashless)

            In addition to the government providing assistance to those in need or vulnerable groups. Whether it is a farmer Independent entrepreneurs, merchants, villagers who are in trouble with 5000 baht per month until the end of 3 or 6 months, I suggest that the government should consider expanding it further to cover all sectors of the public.

            by helping It should be a transfer of money into a PromptPay account or a Smart Card for the people receiving said money. By registering and allowing people to use such money cards to spend in the tax system, such as buying products at Blue Flag stores or various entrepreneurial cooperatives. seller - seller By specifying that the said money card Can be used in every part of the market, including every hawker, stall, or vendor in the market. or a group of farmers

            The government should establish a system for receiving PromptPay payments for people throughout the country that the government has provided assistance to. Including letting people and merchants sell in flea markets, fresh markets, shops, stalls. who came to receive registration money as well Come in and register with PromptPay or this Smart Card so that recipients can use government assistance funds to spend in a cashless system (Cashless) in all sectors. It is not only used by big companies. If it can be done, it will allow the government to have complete information on those with money. The government has promised not to use such information for early tax audits for 1-2 years.

            Incorporating the said amount into the system will allow more people to spend in the tax system and will solve the problem of income tax evasion and refusal to pay VAT in the future. And if in the future the government will have complete information and be able to help these groups of people directly No matter what occupation you have. I believe that this is the only opportunity for the government to have such information collected so that it does not disappear from the financial and fiscal system of Thailand for a cashless payment system in the future. However, the collection of this information must be secret It must not be used in politics in the future.

Issue 2. The government should help taxpayers more.

            The government should consider providing assistance to employees of entrepreneurs who have paid taxes to the government over many years. Now everyone is suffering from severe economic conditions, especially the more than 10 million taxpayers who are employees of companies. These individuals have been withheld and paid additional taxes but are not qualified to receive them. Get help from the government

            Including corporate companies that have been paying corporate income tax for a long time. Because employees of these companies will not receive assistance from the government. From the Social Security Fund that helps employees Only in the case of closing the business or only being fired from work Employers who do not close their business will not be entitled to assistance. The measures must look at details of conditions that can be verified and are fair.

            I therefore propose that the government allocate a certain amount of money to provide assistance to these people who have previously paid taxes. You may consider granting the following benefits:

            2.1 Reduce the income tax rate for those who must pay taxes this year 2562 that must be filed within May 2563 to a certain amount depending on their income base. so that people can get money back to spend (By setting the amount not to exceed income that must be taxed at an appropriate percentage which must be at least equal to those receiving government support or more)

            2.2 Transfer a certain amount of money for those whose income does not meet the tax threshold, based on the amount of tax that such person has previously paid to the government, which may be in the form of money using a special card transfer system ( Smart Card) same as case 1 to be used in the tax system as in case 1

            2.3 Determine companies that have profits by considering giving tax credits that will pay taxes in the next 1 or 2 years or paying taxes in installments without charging interest if conditions are met, such as not laying off employees.

            2.4 Arrange Softloan measures for taxpaying companies at low rates for 2-3 years, taking into account income, profits, and not laying off employees as important conditions in cooperation with commercial banks.

            Thinking outside the box like this creates a tax culture system in Thailand. It feels like the government will take care of taxpayers when they are in crisis and need. Don't think that this measure is about helping the rich because the government has measures that do. will help vulnerable groups according to the initial measures. These taxpayers are important people who create the Thai economic system by paying taxes. When there is a crisis and suffering like this, the government should provide assistance. Help these people directly or indirectly. (In the case of not including companies that are exempt from tax benefits, such as receiving BOI), except in the case of not laying off employees, other benefits may be provided.

Of course, if any company is able to do business and make a profit. You can waive your right not to receive assistance according to government programs. The government should announce and praise these companies as well. Because they do not use these opportunities for personal gain because the company can survive on its own.

            Providing benefits to those who previously paid taxes to the government It may only be done once, this time during a crisis. and by creating a new tax information structure It will make Thailand move forward as well. I believe that digital information systems The government currently has the ability to develop information to use during this crisis to adjust the Thai tax structure in a sustainable way. Including having information when a crisis occurs in the future. Importantly, it must be ensured that such information will not be used for past tax audits.

Issue 3. Measures to assist Soft Loans, tax benefits, supply chains for both the government and large companies.

            The government should have measures to assist SMEs by providing interest-free loans (Soft Loans) for 2 years under the condition that such companies do not lay off employees. As for large companies that have good operating results and have not incurred losses and have waived their rights to participate in the project, The government can provide tax benefits to those companies. If those companies provide assistance to small companies in the supply chain or their trading partners.

This includes providing benefits such as exemption from certain taxes. Expedited tax returns without tax audits and tax assessments Whether it is VAT or withholding tax to provide cash flow for such large companies.

            I think such a proposal might be met with opposition or opposition. From many people claiming that providing benefits like this to people with income is helping the rich. The government has limited funds. Only those in real distress should be helped. But I think thinking like that is forgetting that these people have previously paid income tax or that these companies have acted as good citizens with Thailand during times of crisis. We should also help this group of people. Because of this crisis, everyone is suffering.

            I assume the Ministry of Finance can consider these measures in detail. If we accept this principle, we must help taxpayers first. Therefore, I have proposed that the government adopt this principle for all budgets.
1.99 million baht as well

Issue 4. The government helps pay salaries to some employees.

            The government should consider paying a certain amount of salary, such as 50-60 percent, to companies that are affected but have the potential to not lay off employees. It may limit the employee's high salary, such as an employee with a salary not exceeding 30,000 baht, to the employee for 3-6 months. This applies to companies that employ a large number of employees. and do not terminate employment where the government already has this information from the employee's withholding tax submission.

Issue 5. Extending the time for repayment of debt and interest of financial institutions.

            I suggest that financial institutions In addition to suspending principal payments Interest should be suspended for 3-6 months during the moratorium period for debtors. Borrowers who are both natural persons and juristic persons It will prevent those people from getting into trouble. Just postpone the principal payment. It would not be beneficial to refrain from paying interest while interest continues to accrue every day. Therefore, interest should be stopped for 3-6 months so that these people can have this cash to spend.

            I would like to propose to the government Private agency Please help consider and think outside the box to survive after COVID-19 together.