In the process of buying and selling a house, both the seller and the buyer have tax obligations that must be fulfilled before the transaction is considered valid and the house certificate can be transferred. While many assume that only one party bears the tax burden, in reality, both parties have their own respective responsibilities in accordance with the prevailing tax regulations in Indonesia.
Below is a complete explanation of the types of property transaction taxes that must be paid by the seller and the buyer.
Read Also: How to Easily and Quickly File an Individual Annual Tax Return
Types of Property Transaction Taxes Paid by the Seller
1. Final Income Tax (PPh) – Article 4 Paragraph (2)
Final Income Tax is imposed on the seller based on the income earned from the property transaction.
- Rate: 2.5% of the selling price or the assessed property value (whichever is higher)
- Payment Time: Before signing the Deed of Sale and Purchase (AJB)
- Paid by: Seller
Example:
If the house is sold for IDR 900 million, then:
Final Income Tax = 2.5% × IDR 900,000,000 = IDR 22,500,000
Note: If unpaid, the AJB cannot be processed by the Land Deed Official (PPAT)/Notary.
2. VAT (If the Seller is a Taxable Entrepreneur/PKP)
If the seller is a business entity registered as a Taxable Entrepreneur (PKP), then the sale of the house is subject to VAT at a rate of 11%.
- Charged to: Buyer, but paid by the seller (developer)
Types of Property Transaction Taxes Paid by the Buyer
1. Duty on the Acquisition of Land and Building Rights (BPHTB)
BPHTB is a tax paid by the buyer for acquiring the rights to land and/or buildings.
- Rate: 5% of (selling price – Non-Taxable Selling Value/NJOPTKP)
- Paid by: Buyer
- Payment Time: Before AJB and certificate name transfer
Example:
Selling price = IDR 1,000,000,000
NJOPTKP = IDR 60,000,000 (varies by region)
BPHTB = 5% × (1,000,000,000 – 60,000,000) = IDR 47,000,000
2. VAT (If purchasing from a PKP developer)
If the house is purchased from a developer registered as a PKP, the buyer is required to pay 11% VAT on the house price.
- Example: House price IDR 1,000,000,000 → VAT = IDR 110,000,000
Read Also: Sanctions for Not Reporting Assets in the Annual Tax Return
3. Other Related Costs (not taxes, but still mandatory)
In addition to taxes, the buyer is also responsible for the following costs:
- Notary/PPAT fees for drafting the AJB
- Certificate verification fees
- Certificate name transfer fees at the National Land Agency (BPN)
- Tax validity check fees by the PPAT
Summary of Tax Responsibilities
| Tax | Paid By | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Final Income Tax | Seller | 2.5% |
| VAT | Buyer (if from PKP) | 11% |
| BPHTB | Buyer | 5% of (selling price – NJOPTKP) |
If you need assistance with tax management in Indonesia, you can rely on tax consultancy services from vOffice. Our team can assist you with various tax-related matters, including:
