The interim government is expected to start collecting inheritance and land taxes beginning next March, said Chartchai Na Chiangmai, a member of the National Reform Council.
Chartchai, a former vice rector of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), said collection of the taxes, proposed by Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha and aimed at reducing social disparity in Thailand, could probably start in March next year, as the issue is an urgent matter to foster justice in society.
Chartchai Na Chiangmai, member of the National Reform Council.
Chartchai, however, asked that the rich understand that collection of these taxes is essential, as they have benefited from the country’s natural resources and now it is time to ask them to “pay excess money back to the country.”
Money collected from these taxes will be spent by the government to help improve the lives of poorer people, he said.
Initial discussions with concerned government agencies showed that inheritance tax will be imposed on those receiving above Bt50 million, which should be acceptable by a majority of the people, said Chartchai.
Those who inherit property less than this amount will not be affected.
The major reason from collecting land tax is for the owners to make use of the land instead of doing nothing, he said.
On allowing collection of the value-added tax to remain at the current rate of 7 percent for another year, Chartchai said the rate must be increased to 10 percent in the future, in line with several other countries.
