Job Discussion Forums

[alc]

I have 2 more questions for everyone!

1. I'm in the interview process now for jobs. If I get an NPWP from my employer does that automatically allow me to exit the country as many times as I want in a 12 month time period without paying the fiskal tax? Or do I also need to get a special work visa allowing for multiple entries/exits? I want to be able to leave the country for vacation a few times without having to pay some ridiculous tax. Do all legitimate employers provide this or do I have to ask for this to be part of my contract?

2. I know tourists are supposed to have a return ticket to show upon arrival in Indonesia. Do foreigners on a 12 month work visa have to show a departure ticket as well? I'm in Vietnam right now but my home country is the U.S. It seems like a major pain to have to have to buy a one-way departure ticket a year in advance, so I'm hoping the answer is no.

Again, thanks for your help!

[rayman]

Yes, the NPWP card will allow you to exit Indonesia as many times as you wish without paying the fiscal tax. You will still need to pay the departure tax each time which is (someone may correct me) Rp150 000 out of Jakarta from memory.

The work visa can be either single or multiple entry. I would suggest asking your empployer beforehand for the multiple entry option. A sign of a good employer is one that will take the initiative to give all their employees a multiple entry work visa.

if you already have the 12 month work visa, no, you don't need to show a return ticket when entering Indonesia. However, if you are arriving on a tourist visa, to then apply for a work visa whilst in Indonesia, then as a rule, yes, you will need a return ticket. You may still get away with it. But if you are confronted with this problem, ways around it are either offering to buy a 1 way ticket (to any country) from one of the offices in the airport or pay a 'fine' if this is suggested.

[alc]

Thanks for the information!

[Ozindo]

Just a few notes of (I hope) clarification.
Fiscal tax is collected at points of deparure from Indonesia from Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals who are working here.
The tax is waived if the person can produce a MPWP number.
This number is provided by the Indonesian taxation department, and indicates that the person is registered as an individual taxpayer.
Just as in other countries, some companies fulfil their obligations to the taxation department in various ways (known as group tax in Australia, and by other names in other places). That area is beyond my scope to comment on in detail, as I've had no need to investigate.
While on a working visa, if you wish to leave the country, the MPWP will mean you don't pay fiscal tax at the point of departure. However, it does not mean you can automatically leave. To do so means your passport has to be stamped with an exit permit (and the corresponding re-entry visa) processed by the immigration people.
The best advice is to check your contract or talk to your employer if you are in doubt.
Some companies now reimburse fiscal tax, others have provision for arranging the immigration visas at your expense, and the immigration department have some little known regulations (like having to have at least three months left to run on your KITAS or it has to be renewed) - one of the reasons a good agent is invaluable - and probably every company has slightly different ways of processing your documents.
While, ultimately, you are responsible for your actions, your company probably has provisions to support your movement out of and back into the country. Find out what applies in your case.
And, don't forget, there's the added airport tax payable - which goes to yet another government section!
Any questions - first ask your employer. You could be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck, whatever happens - happy travelling.