Mr. Winit Wisetsuwanapoom, Director of the Office of Fiscal Policy Council (OFPC), revealed that the Finance Ministry is currently reviewing the structure of the investment savings measure for individual income tax deductions, known as TISA (Thailand Individual Savings Account), aiming to increase flexibility and provide more diverse options for taxpayers. The scope of assets will be expanded beyond just mutual fund purchases to better reflect the evolving economic environment.
Under the new structure, savings options will be divided into two main groups for investor convenience: those who wish to manage their investments themselves can directly invest in stocks or assets approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); while those less comfortable or lacking time to manage investments can continue saving through mutual funds, which will be managed by fund managers and may involve management fees.
Mr. Winit added that the Finance Ministry is also reviewing the savings limits and conditions to suit current circumstances. Previously, the investment limit was set at 800,000 baht, but this is now under comprehensive review due to the new economic context. The ministry is gathering input from relevant agencies to determine the most appropriate conditions for today’s situation.
Regarding the timeline, the Finance Ministry aims to finalize all details and criteria as soon as possible, hoping taxpayers can begin purchasing and planning investments under the new conditions in the next fiscal year. This advance announcement will provide clarity and allow the public to plan their finances carefully before implementation.
“Tax reform and TISA improvements are not isolated measures but part of a long-term review of the government’s revenue and tax structures to align with the medium-term fiscal plan. The Revenue Department is considering this alongside the entire national revenue system to find suitable tools to generate sufficient income to support the country’s development needs and long-term welfare of the people,” he said.