The Ministry of Finance is rushing to set negative income tax criteria for new rounds of state welfare card registration. You'll have to wait.

Chulaphan revealed that the Negative Income Tax is currently in the process of determining the criteria for welfare recipients, with a pilot project targeting 2570. He confirmed that there is sufficient funding available. However, registration for the new round of state welfare cards is still pending. Existing cardholders will continue to receive welfare benefits during the transition period.

Aug 25, 2568 Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance revealed that Progress on tax reform through the Negative Income Tax policy: The policy structure has now been completed and other details are currently being discussed. Such as setting the poverty line and setting the criteria and rates for providing financial assistance.

“Negative income tax may be based on a workfare model, requiring welfare recipients to work in exchange for receiving assistance. Therefore, the level of assistance must be determined. For example, if you don't work, you may not receive benefits. However, if you work a lot and your income doesn't meet the threshold, you will receive benefits. As your income approaches the threshold, the assistance will gradually decrease. A poverty line must also be established. Initially, the target group will be all welfare cardholders who are expected to meet the policy's criteria.”

However, it is not yet clear whether the implementation of the Negative Income Tax will reduce the budget burden on low-income earners. Because if there are many people whose income does not meet the criteria, it will result in the need to increase the budget for this section.

"We've met frequently on this issue and confirmed that we have sufficient funding to implement it, as introducing a negative income tax would mean ending certain welfare benefits. We're not concerned about verifying the identities of low-income earners, as we currently have a sufficient and verifiable database. We're also in ongoing discussions with the Revenue Department. Initially, we'd like to see the negative income tax implemented, or perhaps a pilot, in 2570."

Regarding the progress of registration for the new round of the state welfare card project, it has been confirmed that the Ministry of Finance will reopen registration. However, during the transition period of the project, existing welfare cardholders will not be affected and will continue to receive welfare benefits.

“We will definitely open registration for the new round of state welfare cards. We just have to wait for the right timing.”

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