A friend of mine is legally married to a Thai woman. He wants to get a marriage visa. Although he is supported by periodic overseas income, he was informed at Suan Phlu that he cannot use this to meet the minimum Thai income requirement because he can't show a Thai tax receipt. Embassy letter / proof of income didn't matter.

The obvious solution would be for his wife to declare and pay tax on 40K/month income, as other posters have done. This, however, she is unwilling to do (she is deeply religious and feels it would be breaking the law).

Now, another thread has suggested that it is possible -- even mandatory in some cases -- for foreigners to pay Thai taxes even if they don't have work permits. (This is other than, say, the automatically paid tax imposed on bank interest.) Presumably, this will not lead to immediate deportation for working without a permit.

Has anybody ever managed to: a) pay a substantial amount of tax (like the amount imposed on 40K/month income) without a work permit, and then used the resulting tax receipt to support a marriage visa application?

Thanks,
Retiree

I think you are talking about extension of stay not O-visa based on marriage.
Sorry, can not help.

Current rules require a minimum incoem of 40,000 baht. That can be the wife, husband or a combined income. It can even be an income from abroad. Only income rceived in Thailand would be need to be suported by tax documents.
The fact it wasn't accepted is strange. Can only advise to ask to see a superior.

This story sounds very strange. There must be dozens every week who get there marriage extension at Suan Phlu based on foreign income with the certification from the embassy. I have a feeling you don’t have the whole story.
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Maestro

But the OP's original question is an interesting one! I want to get PR in a few years, but my current extended visa (ED) does not permit me to work. PR applicants must be able to show that they have paid 2-3 years of personal income tax. Could I meet these criteria by getting a tax ID and paying the tax due on the required income, without actually having to work in Thailand? (I have income from overseas...)

Simon

PR conditions are carefully checked so it will be obvious. That said, if other conditions were favorable expect it could make the difference.