Can I Claim Business Travel as a Business Expense in Thailand?
Yes. Travel for the business is a cost. Keep tax invoices so the input VAT on domestic travel can be claimed.
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What Revenue Department (กรมสรรพากร) says
Costs of earning the business income reduce net profit. Input VAT needs a valid full tax invoice under Section 82/5 of the Revenue Code. Meals with clients during a trip count as entertainment and fall under the 0.3% cap. The trip should have a clear business purpose, such as visiting a client, a supplier or a trade fair. Keep the booking confirmations and a short note of why the trip was made, because they show the link between the cost and the business.
When you can claim
- Flights and hotels for client visits
- Taxis and local transport for business meetings
- Conference fees
- Visa fees for a business trip
- Excess baggage for samples or equipment
- Domestic flights and train tickets for site visits
- Mileage refunds to staff who use their own car for business trips, under a written policy
When you cannot claim
- Holiday days added to a business trip
- Travel for family members
- A director's private travel paid by the company
- Fines and penalties incurred during a trip
Good to know
Pro tip: Ask hotels and airlines in Thailand for a full tax invoice in the company's name with its tax ID, so the VAT can be claimed. Send Finn the boarding passes and hotel invoices after each trip. It groups them under one trip and checks each one against the bank feed.
Important: Travel abroad is still a business cost when the trip is for the business, but foreign VAT does not go on the P.P.30. Per diem allowances paid to staff follow payroll rules. Ask your accountant before paying a fixed daily amount instead of refunding real costs.
Related expenses
Stop guessing what you can claim in Thailand
AccountsOS automatically categorises expenses with Revenue Department (กรมสรรพากร)-aware rules and tells you exactly what is claimable.
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