The Cabinet has recently approved a package of additional relief measures to cushion the impacts of the new wave of COVID-19 infections.

In these measures, various government agencies were told to accelerate the recruitment, selection, and appointment of new government officials in order to provide more job opportunities for the people.

Land and building taxes will be reduced by 90 % for the 2021 tax year to ease people's expenses. The reduction will be applied to all types of land and buildings, such as those for residential, agricultural, and commercial purposes, as well as vacant land.

The property transaction fee will be cut from 2 % to 0.01 % and the mortgage registration fee from 1 % to 0.01 %. The reduction covers residential units worth not more than three million baht each.

The e-filing deadline for annual personal income tax will be extended by three months, from 31 March to 30 June 2021. The period for e-filing of withholding tax and value-added tax will also be extended to the end of the month for e-filing.

A one-year operating fee waiver will be granted to spa businesses and massage services for health care. In addition, monthly contributions to the Social Security Fund by employees will be cut from 3 % to 0.5 % for a period of two months, from February to March 2021. Employers will continue to contribute 3 % and the Government 2.75 % to the Social Security Fund.

All these measures will help relieve financial burdens for both the general public and businesses during this time of economic hardships caused by COVID-19.