Letter: The airport exit tax

Thu, 01/08/2009 10:36 AM  |  Reader's Forum

I think the government should increase the exit tax even more. There is nothing wrong with it. People that pay tax do not need to worry and people that do not pay tax should at least pay tax when going oversees.

In my view, anyone that can afford to travel is "wealthy" enough to pay the Rp 2.5 million. It should just be taken into account when booking a ticket.

For the Indonesian government, it means an increase in income, directly and otherwise indirectly, as a result of more registrations for obtaining a tax number.

On the other hand, people might be encouraged to spend holidays and subsequently more money, inside the country of Indonesia, hence boosting the local economy.

Don't complain, no need to travel abroad when you're already living in such a nice place where so many islands are waiting to be explored.

TIM BEEKELAAR
Jakarta

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Tim Beekelaar (not verified), Jakarta — Wed, 08/26/2009 - 4:22pm

@ Kurt Shitley I cant believe I missed ur stupid comment earlier. Anyway, couldnt let it go by without a word or 2... It's now proven you are the idiot.

S. Tjahjono (not verified) — Fri, 01/16/2009 - 10:31am

Thank you for making us realize our very bad attitude. I am aware that the government is trying to do reforms in many aspects but they also have the obligation to familiarize the public of new rules and regulations particularly those affecting the public at all leveles like this one to avoid manipulation which is very rampant among the governement employees . As a parent, who had to pay fiscal for my kid everytime we traveled abroad since the day he turned 12 (he's 15 years old now and the last time I had to pay was in June of 2008), it's only natural that i had a lot of grievances. Hopefully I will soon see the benefit when we go aborad next time so I can be forgiving about the tens of millions extorted in the past.

Tim Beekelaar (not verified) — Thu, 01/15/2009 - 2:28pm

Obviously I would have to react to the comments that have been made on my letter, especially to Mr/Mrs Tjahjono.

I would like to recommend all of you to do some research prior to bashing any new government regulation or positive comment on a new government regulation. It would be wise not to trust a headline on stand alone basis or a complete article, just because it is in a newspaper.

The new law comes with a lot of exemptions. The statement that students above 12 years old have to pay is simply not true, because everybody below the age of 21 years old is exempted from the fiscal tax. Also, spouses and dependents of NPWP holders are exempted, as are Hadj Pilgrims, people seeking medical treatment abroad and numerous others.

On another note I would like to comment on the "desires" mentioned by Mr/Mrs Tjahjono. Let's stick to the facts, we all have our desires and we can all agree that governments cannot take them all into consideration.

Definately transparency and distribution are issues that need to be dealt with, but these were aleady very much highlighted by other Jakarta Post readers.

How about we give this government some credit and respect, instead of spreading baseless arguments and opinions.

Indonesian friend (not verified) — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 8:25am

As an Australian citizen married to an Indonesian woman, my relatives in Indonesia have always been a priority. This includes inviting them in to our home. The million rupiah per person was an added cost to invite family to our home. To increase 250% is criminal. Most Indonesians can't afford to travel to the nearest city, let alone overseas. How many people are sponsered to travel to another country? This increase in fiscal tax will deny some in the future.As a tax payer in Australia, I am happy that our goverment distributes millions of dollars to Indonesia for infrastructure etc. As my government assists, so do I as a tax payer.I most probably can afford the extra cost but how many foreigners and Indonesians that are residents of other countries with Indonesian relatives and friends will no longer be able to support their comming together.Only one word can describe this - SAD

Casper Sims (not verified) — Fri, 01/09/2009 - 7:13am

Like many other initiatives by the government this looks OK on the surface but falls apart on the detail..Mr Beekelaar I think your comment regarding all travelers are wealthy is rather naive. I agree that the increase is a good idea in general and that if you have an NPWP you have no problem. But having non taxpayer such as wives etc pay tax on exiting Indonesia....makes no sense at all. Unless it is applied say after the second trip in any one year. That is basically an indirect tax on the tax payer. The tax office must define the list of exempt classes of people so that the real evaders are captured.

S Tjajhjono (not verified) — Thu, 01/08/2009 - 1:53pm

What a snobbish yet ignorant comment Tim Beekelaar made.
His comment speaks for only a handful of the elite out of the entire population and lacks empathy.

Does he know that not only himself, others also desire to visit foreign countries?

Does he know how ordinary working locals here have to save their hard earned money so they can visit at least some neighboring countries?

Does he know the value of Rp. 1 million, let alone 2.5, to these working class citizens?

Does he know that even students (all above 12 years of age) have to pay the fee?

Maybe he can offer his brilliant ideas to the tax authorities to also charge infants.
This so called ‘exit tax’ fee has been levied to tens of millions of travelers each year over so many years without logical justification, transparency or accountability. Seeing the poor conditions of the toilets in the international flight areas someone with enough sense will wonder how this huge direct income has been spent.

Now they decided to increase the amount under the pretext of enforcing tax registration and till now no clear information nor familiarization has been given to the public.

As usual, it’s better to keep things as murky and confusing as possible to make sure a lot of rooms for the staff to play around.

AReader (not verified) — Thu, 01/08/2009 - 11:34am

Sorry but i completely disagree.

right now oversees travel is very affordable, with plane tickets under 1 mill rupiah while traveling to Kuala Lumpur / Singapore or Bangkok for example.

A fiscal with 2,5mill rupiah exceed the ticket price by far.

A family of 4 who is willing to spend a weekend or visit family in Kuala Lumpur has to pay 10mill just to get out of the country???

That's ridiculous funny!

The argument only "wealthy" people can travel is a typical stone age - head in the sand answer.

The whole fiscal tax and personal tax number BS makes me wonder:

Example i pay, lets say 20mill income tax per year.
If i would travel once a month oversees, i would pay 30mill only on fiscal.. does that mean the government would pay me 10mill back as tax returns?? I don't think so.

If i have a NPWP, i "don't" pay fiscal right? So i still have to report it in my tax return for the year? If so, i would on the end pay the same amount, i would pay without NPWP.. so there is no benefit at all.

Don't get me wrong, i pay my taxes since years, even without a NPWP, but i cant see any difference will happen in future with the tax payers money.

There is no transparency... what will be done with the money? Will there be a official report? Will there be a budget plan? NO! you basically don't know in which pocket you actually paid.. BUT and its a big but, the government now can finally screen you till your last rupiah !!!

And by the way.. wow 10mill out of 230mill people registered.. that's about 4% !!! ;) hilarious!!!

To extort 2,5mill directly, is easier, cheaper and hard to follow up in which channels the money will vanish!

Kurt shiply (not verified) — Thu, 01/08/2009 - 11:14am

you are a idiot Mr. beekelaar. you reflect Indonesian culture perfect {no brains }

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