RTG approves Double Tax Incentive for AIT's Donor

Dear Alumni and Potential Donors of AIT

I write to inform the community and friends that AIT is able to secure a double-tax incentive for donors of AIT effectively from 28 March 2018. This means that any Thai corporate/individual who donates to AIT can deduct 200% of the donated amount in the tax calculation. For example, a person with tax bracket at 35% who donates 100 Baht will be able to save an income tax of 70 Baht.  

I have been working on this sensitive issue since 2014 after all Thai universities, public or private, were given the double-tax incentive for their donors. AIT was not included because it is neither a Thai private or public university. By its Enabling Act, "the Institute shall be exempt from compliance with the law on private schools and the law on the National Education Council".

I have been in consultation with the Prime Minister Secretariat on this matter since 2014. Only last year, thanks to the strong support of the PM's Secretary General, a solution was found. A proposal was submitted to the RTG Cabinet on 17 October 2017 (Attachment #2) to issue a new Royal Decree specifically for AIT, under another category of higher education institutes set up in cooperation with Specialized Agencies (SEATO). Hence, this new Royal Decree (Attachment #1 in Thai) was issued on 24 March 2018 to be effective on 28 March, one day after the RTG Gazette was announced.

I did not announce this good news earlier, as we should, by courtesy, wait for the Official Announcement from the Revenue Department (RD) first. After checking last week, the RD confirmed that the double-tax incentive for AIT's Donors was already effective since 28 March and run until 31 December 2018. Then next year, under a new Royal Gazette, the original list of eligible universities will be expanded to include AIT. They suggest that the AIT's official receipts for donors should always make reference to this specific Royal Decree.

I would like to thank Khun Chalita Lertpinyo, Director of the Host Country Relation (OHCR), who has persistently helped follow up on this particular issue for the last 3 years until its success.

With kind regards,

Professor Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai

AIT President

21 August 2018