Prospective MP candidates will have to rush to file their 2018 personal income tax returns so they can get the receipts from the Revenue Department over the next two weeks, or they can't apply.
The deadline for personal income tax filings for other people is March 30, or a bit later for online submission. This does not include the time the department processes them and issues receipts.
Along with several other documents, proof of personal income tax payments "over the past three years" is required for MP candidate applications, scheduled to take place during Feb 4-8.
The issue of tax income payment proof arose after a party asked the Election Commission (EC) to be specific about the years. Since the filings for 2018 incomes do not end until March 30 this year, the party assumed the proof the EC needs was for incomes earned during 2015-17.
But the EC said on Friday the MP law requires tax receipts for incomes earned in the previous three years, or 2016-18. That leaves prospective MP candidates only 15 days to get 2018 tax receipts before the application ends.
Although the Revenue Department is known for its fast service, especially for early tax filers, 15 days can prove tough, especially for people with several documents to submit.
Pol Col Charoongvit Poomma on Friday suggested a way to get the receipts fast.
"Prospective candidates can apply to pay the tax without taking advantage of the deductions of which proofs they don't have yet. They can later submit the proofs of withholding taxes or deductions when they get their hands on them and settle the differences.
"In any case, we can't relax this rule because it is required by law," he said, citing Section 45 of the MP law.
On social media campaign, Pol Col Charoongvit clarified prospective MP candidates do not need to erase their social media accounts.
"They can inform their respective constituency directors about their accounts and continue with the campaigns on this platform even though they have yet to apply as MP candidates," he said.
He explained the regulation aims to protect the candidates from account falsification aimed at slandering others and to calculate their expenses.
"We've been in talks with all media channels. Last week, we met Google [representatives] to discuss expense calculations. Next week, we'll talk with Line executives on how to avoid the propagation of illegal content."
On the delay in designating places where posters can be set up, Pol Col Charoongvit said since the applications have yet to be held, the EC doesn't know the numbers of candidates in each constituency. "This information links to the calculations of the number of posters and campaign aides. However, campaigning can now begin."
On ballot printing, the budget has been allocated but contracts have yet to be made, he said.
"Again, this process will begin once the applications end. By then we'll know the numbers of advance, cross-district and overseas voters," he explained.
He assured the ballot would contain the name and number of each candidate, as well as his party logo.
He added 105 parties registered but it remains to be seen how many are left after the applications end.
