Departute tax raised to Rp 1m

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)