Departute tax raised to Rp 1m

JAKARTA (JP): The government announced yesterday a 300 percent increase in departure tax imposed on Indonesians leaving the country by airplane to Rp 1 million (about US$100) from Rp 250,000 in an unprecedented move to discourage overseas traveling.

Government Regulation No.17/1998 increases the departure tax imposed on those leaving the country via seaports 150 percent to Rp 500,000 from Rp 200,000. Leaving Indonesia overland will now cost Rp 200,000, compared to Rp 50,000 previously.

The new tax will come into effect on Thursday.

Agus Haryanto, head of the public relations and legal bureau of the Ministry of Finance said all travelers would be issued receipts for their departure tax payments at all tax counters in airports and appointed banks and travel agencies. The departure tax may be used as an income tax deduction.

He said Indonesians with special status such as members of the diplomatic corps, government officials traveling on official business, and members of sports and cultural missions remain exempt from paying departure tax. (gis)