SMS: Airport exit taxes

Tue, 01/06/2009 11:09 AM  |  Reader's Forum

Your comments on airport exit taxes which as of Jan. 1 increased to Rp 2.5 million (US$227) per person -- except for those with a tax number (NPWP) who are now exempt.

Just ridiculous! Now, I will have to stop some of my business travels to other countries, and of course I won't be able to take my family. I guess that's the goal of the Indonesian government, to stop people from leaving. I feel bad for my Indonesian friends for sure. JIM S.
Jakarta

I am a young Iranian executive and just finished reading an article in The Jakarta Post.

I'd like to say that virtually all governments of the world encourage their young people or young generation to travel abroad not only seeking jobs but knowledge and ideas which will one day be brought home for the benefit of the people and the country.

But the decision of your government to increase the exit tax by more than double will only make the younger generation and young business people more restricted to travel and know less about what is going on outside their home country.

How can your country improve and prosper if you have such regulations and laws?

Honestly, I have been to your country a few times and I find there are many laws and regulations so very stupid and without common sense.

I believe such laws and regulations only benefit the politicians and filthy rich business people. May God forgive your political leaders that are more interested in their personal wealth than the welfare of ordinary citizens. ALI KHARAZI
Teheran

 

I am from Italy and have been traveling regularly in this region. I noticed that the Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai governments have encouraged their citizens to go abroad and earn a living without any form of restrictions unless of course one has a criminal record.

The decision made by your government to increase exit taxes is a very immature decision. To be more simple, a very stupid move indeed!

This shows your politicians make decisions based on emotions rather than common sense. The whole world is laughing at your government with its decisions that do not help the people, especially the poor. DAMIJAN BASIN
Roma

 

I think it is not fair to increase it, especially for foreigners who don't have a tax number. How are you going to promote Indonesia if the tax alone is that high? LINDA
Jakarta

 

This airport tax is not fair for a retired KITAS holders who no longer earn a salary. They are entitled to an NPWP. The retired KITAS holders should be exempt from the tax. BERNARD WILLETTE
Jimbaran, Bali

 

The increase is OK with several conditions. First, if the government has a system to verify that the NPWP numbers are not faked. Second, if it guarantees that it would not become a new "product" that can be used by immigration and airport officials to get extra cash.

And third, if transparency is no longer questioned from the start to the end of the process, the immigration office should present a corner box in major media with an easy-to-digest summary and statistics, on a weekly basis.

Without considering the factors, the whole effort will become an interesting case for officers of the Corruption Eradication Commission in the future -- but I would prefer to see anticipative measures. JO NAVARRO
Jakarta

 

Exit taxes from Rp 1 million to Rp 2.5 million is not an increase, but more than double.

Many poor Indonesians still need to go abroad to find jobs, so don't burden them with such taxes. ELRIO SYAMSUMAR
Cikampek, West Java

 

Authority and responsibility of related tax officers should be fully described. SUWARSO
Jakarta

 

Why is there no mention of tax relief for retired people. They worked and paid their taxes, and now live on their pensions. They also deserve some consideration. JOSEPH
Amlapura, Bali

 

This new method and pricing for exit taxes is a good decision of the government to punish non-tax payers. It would certainly encourage more and more people to start paying tax.

This method however needs proper planning and initialization to save time as much as possible for those traveling passengers.

They have to make it user friendly too. For those paying the fiscal they could use ATMs to transfer money directly, instead of filling in forms and waiting in long queues to get paid stamps.

For those without credit cards, they could carry on using the current method. They could also issue smart cards for current tax payers which would allow them to just swipe and go through. ARUL VERMAN
Jakarta

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Salim (not verified) — Thu, 01/08/2009 - 2:15pm

So Febri, that was how a polite Indonesian should respond to the opinions of foreigners'. I am indonesian tax payers and I am not in support of this moronic policy. This is not the way to encourage people to pay tax. This is an act of extortion that'been ongoing for long. Now they use the tax registration as an excuse. Where on earth does a government squeeze money out of its own citizens in this way? Why on earth do students and housewives have to pay this fee? And where did all the money all this time go? The decent way for the tax office to encourage people to happily pay tax is to show that the tax payers money are spent as how they should be. Go and look at the conditions of the toilets at the airport. A tiny percentage from the huge fiscal fees collected shold be enough to upgrade and maintain the public facilities at the airport in good and presentatble condiitons. With some more the entire facilities can be improved. So shame on the government!.

Tarjee (not verified) — Wed, 01/07/2009 - 9:11am

in response to Febri commnents:
All the foreigners here in indonesia are not the useless or beggars like you said, they are spending their money here and paid government taxes at the hotel, restaurant and shops.... Kapish????

Kevin fc (not verified) — Wed, 01/07/2009 - 6:00am

someone answer me this............is it correct that npwp holders still pay the tax then ask for the refund later in their taxes?

or are they immediate excempt?

if they have to seek a refund.........it will never happen. they will set-up roadblocks and BS....and threats of audits if seeking the refund. they do this to me seeking my PPN for my business. if i want my PPN back from materials, i must pass an audit....that they threaten. that's not worth the trouble.

the devils in the details!!!

GURKHA (not verified) — Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:06pm

How stupid can expats get!
If , like me you have a kitas, you are working here.
If you work here, you should have an NPWP.
If you have an NPWP, you don't pay Fiskal tax.
As the man said, only 2 things are unavoidable - Tax and death.

To all you expats who are whingeing about fiskal all I can say is grow up and follow the rules!

Febri Saleh (not verified) — Tue, 01/06/2009 - 1:14pm

To Ali Kharazi & Damian Basin: I have been to your countries several times and I can guarantee you there are so many stupid things there but I refrain from saying so because we Indonesians, unlike Iranians & Italians, always try to be polite and behave ourselves, especially when we are in foreign countries. If you cannot control your attitude and language, please leave the country. We will not miss one Iranian & Italian who doesn't know politeness & cannot behave. Read the regulations carefully: IF YOU HAVE NPWP, YOU DON'T NEED TO PAY EMBARKATION TAX. This country cannot afford to accommodate foreigners who are useless like the two of you, so i suggest you two leave the country immediately (unless you two don't have any shame and plan to continue being beggars in my country).

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