Taxation KBLI 74120

Tax Consultant for Other R&D Activities and R&D Services

Specialist tax advisor for R&D consultants, R&D services, and private research: 0.5% SME Final PPh, 11% VAT, 200% super deduction, Article 23 PPh, Article 21 PPh, multi-project.

R&D Tax Consultation
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8+ R&D Consultants Served
Trusted by R&D consultants, R&D service providers, and research firms across Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya

Tax Rate

11%

PPN

Risk Level

Low

Tax Challenges

SME Final PPh for Small R&D Consultants

Small R&D consultants with turnover below IDR 4.8 Billion per year are eligible for 0.5% SME Final PPh. Large firms are typically PKP. Verification by scale is essential.

11% VAT for PKP R&D

R&D consultants with turnover above IDR 4.8 Billion must register as PKP and charge 11% VAT for R&D services. Corporate clients need VAT invoices for their input VAT credit. Service exports abroad may qualify for 0% VAT with a PEB.

200% Super Deduction for R&D

R&D consultants conducting R&D in Indonesia may claim the 200% super deduction (200% gross deduction for eligible R&D costs). Verification of eligible R&D (science, technology, engineering) and strong documentation are essential.

Article 23 PPh Withheld by Clients

R&D consultants serving corporate clients are subject to Article 23 PPh (2%) withheld by clients on the service value. Clients withhold and report Article 23 PPh. Multi-client and multi-withholding setups require neat evidence.

Multi-Channel: B2B, B2G, Multi-Project

Modern R&D consultants serve many channels: B2B (corporate, brand), B2G (government), and multi-project (simultaneous client engagements). Each channel has different tariffs and processes. Per-project bookkeeping is essential.

Article 21 PPh for Researchers

Researchers receiving salaries from R&D consultants are subject to Article 21 PPh (5%-15% depending on PTKP). Multi-researcher operations need neat tracking. The consultant issues withholding evidence.

Competition with In-House R&D & Platforms

Local R&D consultants compete with in-house corporate R&D (which is cheaper), open-source platforms (TensorFlow, PyTorch), and foreign consultants (Boston Consulting, McKinsey). Margins on standard R&D are squeezed. Differentiation through specialisation and IP creation is critical.

Our Tax Solutions

1

0.5% SME Final PPh Setup

End-to-end support for NPWP registration and 0.5% SME Final PPh filing for small R&D consultants, including multi-project bookkeeping setup, annual turnover estimation, and quarterly SPT templates.

  • Optimal SME Final PPh
  • Multi-project bookkeeping
  • Light quarterly SPT
2

VAT Classification for PKP R&D

We help PKP R&D consultants set up 11% VAT invoicing for corporate clients, including input VAT account setup for recoverable input VAT and per-project tax-invoice SOPs. Service exports abroad are filed for 0% VAT.

  • VAT compliant
  • 0% export VAT
  • Input VAT recovered
3

200% R&D Super Deduction Claim

We help claim the 200% R&D super deduction: identifying eligible R&D costs, building strong documentation, and filing the claim in the corporate PPh SPT. Multi-year claims and DJP audit verification are supported.

  • Optimal 200% super deduction
  • Reduced corporate PPh
  • Strong documentation
4

Article 23 PPh Compliance for Multi-Client

We manage Article 23 PPh compliance, including verification of withholding by corporate clients, withholding evidence reporting, and Article 23 PPh credit claims in the corporate PPh SPT. Multi-client and multi-withholding setups are handled cleanly.

  • Article 23 PPh compliant
  • Withholding evidence ready
  • Optimal tax credit
5

Multi-Project R&D Bookkeeping

Set up multi-project bookkeeping covering B2B (corporate, brand), B2G (government), and simultaneous projects. We track researcher working hours, per-project cost, per-project VAT, and reconcile with client reports.

  • Measurable per-project margin
  • Hours tracked
  • VAT controlled
6

Article 21 PPh Compliance for Researchers

We manage Article 21 PPh compliance for researchers, including PTKP verification, withholding, and withholding evidence reporting. Multi-researcher and multi-payment (salary, overtime, bonus) setups are handled cleanly.

  • Article 21 PPh compliant
  • Withholding evidence ready
  • Multi-researcher organised
7

Differentiation & Anti-Competition Strategy

Strategic advisory for R&D consultants, focusing on specialisation (AI, biotech, sustainability), IP creation, and corporate partnerships. We design anti-competition plays against in-house R&D and open-source platforms.

  • Clear differentiation
  • Margin uplift
  • Effective anti-competition

How We Work

1

Scale & Scheme Assessment

Map the consultant's scale (small/mid/large), channels (B2B/B2G/multi-project), R&D type, and pain points around PPh, VAT, super deduction, Article 23/21 PPh, and regional taxes.

2

Tax & Compliance Review

Review eligibility for SME Final PPh, validate VAT for PKP R&D, identify R&D super deduction opportunities, and analyse Article 23/21 PPh exposure.

3

Bookkeeping & SPT Setup

Implement multi-project bookkeeping, separate VAT accounts (if PKP), and templates for SME Final or corporate PPh SPT filings.

4

Ongoing Support & Audit

Monthly SPT reviews, support during DJP audits, and regulatory updates covering the super deduction PMK and Article 23/21 PPh.

Related Tax Regulations

PP 55/2022

0.5% SME Final PPh

Small R&D consultants with turnover below IDR 4.8 Billion per year may elect the 0.5% SME Final PPh regime. Large R&D consultants with turnover above IDR 4.8 Billion must use the corporate PPh rate under Article 17 (22%).

UU PPN 42/2009

11% VAT on R&D Services

R&D services (research and development) are Taxable Services subject to 11% VAT once the operator is PKP. Service exports abroad may qualify for 0% VAT with a PEB. Some categories (research for non-profits) may attract special VAT treatment.

PP 28/2023

Regional Tax & Levies

R&D consultants face advertising tax, street lighting tax (if applicable), and disturbance permit levies. Several local governments apply specific taxes on consultancy firms. Verification per local government is essential.

PMK 153/PMK.03/2020

200% R&D Super Deduction

Companies conducting R&D in Indonesia can claim a 200% super deduction (200% gross deduction for eligible R&D costs). Verification of eligible R&D (science, technology, engineering) and strong documentation is essential.

PPh Pasal 23

PPh Withholding by Corporate Clients

R&D consultants serving corporate clients are subject to Article 23 PPh (2%) withheld by clients on the service value. Clients withhold and report Article 23 PPh. Multi-client and multi-withholding setups require neat evidence.

PPh Pasal 21

Article 21 PPh for Researchers

Researchers receiving salaries from R&D consultants are subject to Article 21 PPh (5%-15% depending on PTKP). Multi-researcher operations need neat tracking. The consultant issues withholding evidence.

Permenaker 11/2019

BPJS Ketenagakerjaan for Researchers

R&D consultants with permanent researchers MUST enroll them in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan and BPJS Kesehatan. Permanent-contract honorary researchers (PKWTT) also risk being required to enroll.

Need a Tax Consultant for Tax & Compliance for Other R&D Activities, R&D Services, and R&D Consulting?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are R&D consultants required to register as PKP and charge 11% VAT?

R&D consultants with turnover below IDR 4.8 Billion per year are not required to be PKP. Above IDR 4.8 Billion, PKP status is mandatory and 11% VAT must be charged for R&D services. Corporate clients need VAT invoices for their input VAT credit. Service exports abroad may qualify for 0% VAT with a PEB.

How does the 200% R&D super deduction work?

The 200% super deduction under PMK 153/PMK.03/2020 requires: (1) eligible R&D (sciences, technology, engineering), (2) conducted in Indonesia, (3) R&D cost minimum IDR 1 Billion (except for special R&D), and (4) claim in the corporate PPh SPT. Documentation must be strong: proposal, report, cost evidence. Claim is made under SPT PPh badan Article 17.

What is the Article 23 PPh rate for R&D services?

Article 23 PPh for R&D services is 2% of the service value (excluding VAT). Corporate or business-entity clients withhold Article 23 PPh on payment. Withholding evidence is issued by the client. R&D consultants can claim the Article 23 PPh credit in the corporate PPh SPT Article 17. Verification of withholding evidence per client is essential.

What is the Article 21 PPh rate for researchers?

Article 21 PPh for researchers varies by PTKP: 5%-15% of salary. The TK/0 PTKP is IDR 54 Million/year. For example, with a salary of IDR 10 Million/month, Article 21 PPh is roughly 5-10%. R&D consultants must withhold, report, and provide withholding evidence to researchers.

Is research for the government subject to VAT?

Research for the government (B2G) is usually subject to 11% VAT when the consultant is PKP. Some government contracts (tenders) already include VAT. Verification per contract is essential. B2G clients generally cannot credit input VAT (public sector).

How is bookkeeping handled for multi-project R&D consultants?

Multi-project R&D consultants require per-project bookkeeping: researcher hours, per-project cost, and per-project margin. R&D software should track hours, per-project invoices, per-project VAT, and reconcile with client reports. Use SPT PPh badan Article 17 (for PKP) or SME Final PPh, plus monthly VAT SPT. Article 23 PPh withholding evidence is per client, and Article 21 PPh is per researcher.

How much does a tax consultant charge for an R&D consultant?

Fees vary with scale. Small R&D operators (turnover < IDR 500 Million) pay IDR 500,000-1,500,000/month for bookkeeping and SME Final PPh SPT. Mid-sized R&D operators (IDR 500 Million - 4.8 Billion) pay IDR 1.5-3 Million/month, including multi-project bookkeeping, VAT, and super deduction. Large R&D operators (> IDR 4.8 Billion) pay IDR 3-15 Million/month, covering corporate PPh, VAT, super deduction, multi-project, and audit support. Contact Arunika for a tailored proposal.

Is Arunika Consulting officially licensed as a tax consultant?

Yes. We are registered tax consultants and support clients with compliant, professional tax advisory and representation.

What should I do if I receive an SP2DK letter or tax audit notice?

Contact us early. We help analyze the risk, prepare supporting documents, draft the response, and assist discussions with the tax office.

How much tax saving can tax planning deliver?

It depends on your structure and transactions. We identify legal efficiencies, incentives, and reporting improvements without crossing into tax evasion.