BANGKOK, 12 July 2015 – The government has decided to go ahead with a new law levying tax on tutorial schools, sending a message that all profit-orientated organisations must contribute to society.
According to the Deputy Spokesperson of the PM Office, Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the government has decided to pass the new tax law as it concluded that tutorial schools’ operation was aimed at making profits rather than promoting students’ advancement. The law was recorded in the Government Gazette two days ago.
Maj Gen Sansern told tutorial school operators not to panic as the taxes would be calculated from their net profits, meaning that the law would have marginal effect on their huge profits. Meanwhile, general schools, both public and private ones, would still be exempted from taxes as they are part of the mainstream education development.
According to the Ministry of Education, the market value of tutorial schools could be as high as 8.1 billion baht this year. The number of tutorial institutes to which the new tax law applies is estimated at 2,000-3,000 across the country. The tax collection is expected to add up to 1.2 billion baht to the government’s coffers.
Parents who suspect they are unfairly charged by tutorial operators following the passing of the law can lodge their complaints with the Consumer Protection Board
