Thread: NPWP - Eligibility and Consequences

My girlfriend lives in Lovina but is originally from Java, her only employment is occasional bar and cafe work which is commission based. Her only other income is via ATM withdrawals on my account.

The absurd increase in Fiscal tax means it makes sense to investigate NPWP, but she is concerned that she will have to pay tax monthly, irrespective of income. She also believes she could only apply for an NPWP in her home town, and I have also read conflicting reports about applicants needed to prove that they are employed.

No doubt there is some difference between the official position and the reality of life in Indonesia, so can anyone clarify what actually happens, rather than what should happen?

My girlfriend is flying to meet me in just over a week, so I expect its far too late to avoid the 2.5M fiscal now anyway, but this increase coupled with the 2.3M visa 'processing fee' is making me doubt whether I can afford this much longer.

Any info will be much appreciated.

You let her withdraw money from your ATM account? You're a more trusting man than me, I wouldn't even give a family member free access to my ATM like that. Sorry I don't even know what a NPWP is, sounds expensive though.

your lady friend simply needs to register with tax dept to get a tax file number, regardless of whether she works or not. She will then have no problems, no fiscal to pay.
I must agree with calitobali... you let her withdraw from your account :roll: You really are a foolishboy!

I'm far from an expert on this but as per Goldminers advice I refer you to the following:

http://www.indonesiamatters.com/1702/fiskal-npwp/

I'm not sure where you are flying her to but that also costs money doesn't it? Hmmm wthout knowing all the ins and outs you sound like you are, or have, become a walking atm card :(. Good luck but don't live up to your name "foolish boy".

Originally Posted by Jimbo

2.3m visa processing fee???? never heard of this one either. Like everybody else giving access to your ATM is foolish.

Hope all turns out OK for you.

The staff at Turkish consulate in Jakarta offered to assist with the visa application process for a fee of 300,000. They said on receipt of the application they would determine whether a personal interview in Jakarta was needed.

The day after the bombs my gf received the news that she would need to attend for the interview. However if a fee of 2m was paid then the application would be expedited and the visa automatically issued without interview. My gf was not dead keen on visiting Jakarta before the bombs, so I was going to pay for her to travel with a friend. This was going to cost 1.7m for aircon bus and hotel room, so after the bombs paying 2m for the 'visa processing fee' seemed like a no-brainer. Sure enough the visa turned up 3 days later.

The visa for Egypt that we arranged 18 months ago was handled by an agent at AntaTour at a much more affordable cost.

Originally Posted by goldminer

your lady friend simply needs to register with tax dept to get a tax file number, regardless of whether she works or not. She will then have no problems, no fiscal to pay.
I must agree with calitobali... you let her withdraw from your account :roll: You really are a foolishboy!

Elsewhere on the forum I've read that local tax offices don't always issue an NPWP unless the applicant can prove their employment status. I'm also concerned that my gf may be sent tax demands whether or not she has any income, she is certainly very concerned about that possibility.

As for the ATM card, I find it incredibly convenient giving her a card and then transferring money to that account instantly online whenever she needs funds. The only downside is the £1.50 withdrawal fee (and the currency loading), but even so it's much more practical than dealing with international bank transfers or WesternUnion charging £14 per £100. I could reduce costs even further if I could get a Nationwide Flex-account as they don't charge for ATM withdrawals, but my current financial situation makes that impossible.

just apply for tax number, my mother in law doesnt work, retired, and she applied for such and got it immediately. She then visited us in perth....no fiscal to pay. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Not quite sure where the turkish embassy comes in? Are you Turkish?

Neither Turkish nor Egyptian, those were our holiday destinations.

If anyone can suggest any other destinations outside Asia to where my gf can get a visa, I would be very grateful. The 'visa roulette' game is not one I particularly like - you have to buy the return flight before you can apply for the visa, and there's little scope for a refund if the visa is denied.