Effective January 2026, the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) confirmed the automatic deactivation of Taxpayer Identification Numbers belonging to married women who are registered as dependents under their husband’s family tax profile (NPWP of wives).
Below, we would like to explain how the new policy works, why it was introduced, and what taxpayers should know from now on.
NPWP of Wives Automatically Deactivated in Coretax
The Directorate General of Taxes officially deactivated NPWP numbers for certain married women on 25 January 2026.
This policy applies specifically to wives who are recorded in the tax system as dependents of their husbands within the Data Unit Keluarga (DUK), or Family Data Unit.
The change was implemented automatically through the Coretax system without requiring any application or request from taxpayers.
According to tax authorities, the move forms part of a broader administrative restructuring aimed at creating a more integrated and simplified family tax administration system.
Legal Basis for the Policy
The mass deactivation of NPWP for wives recorded as dependents is supported by several provisions within Indonesia’s tax regulations.
- Article 8 of the Income Tax Law (UU Pajak Penghasilan)
This provision establishes the concept that married couples may be treated as a single economic unit for tax purposes. - Article 5 Paragraph (1) of PER-7/PJ/2025
This regulation governs the merging of tax rights and obligations between spouses when tax liabilities are not managed separately.
Together, these legal provisions form the basis for integrating family tax data within the Coretax system.
Criteria for NPWP Deactivation
The automatic deactivation applies when certain conditions are met within the Coretax database.
A wife’s NPWP will be automatically set to non-active status if:
- She is recorded as a dependent in the husband’s Data Unit Keluarga (DUK) profile
- The dependency status reflects the household data registered in the system as of 25 January 2026
- The tax obligations of the family are administratively consolidated under the husband’s NPWP
Once these criteria are satisfied, the system automatically updates the NPWP status without requiring any action from the taxpayer.
Impact on Family Tax Obligations
Although the wife’s NPWP becomes inactive under this policy, tax obligations are not removed or cancelled.
Instead, the tax reporting process becomes centralized under the husband’s taxpayer account.
The Directorate General of Taxes clarified that:
- Family tax obligations remain fully applicable
- Tax reporting and payments are submitted through the husband as head of household
- The wife’s income must be included within the husband’s annual tax return (SPT Tahunan)
This means the tax liability of the household continues as usual, but the reporting mechanism is consolidated into a single taxpayer account.
Why the Government Introduced This Policy
The Indonesian government introduced this administrative adjustment to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the tax system. Several objectives were identified by the tax authority.
Simplifying Family Tax Administration
By consolidating tax reporting under a single taxpayer identity, authorities aim to simplify compliance for households.
Preventing Duplicate Taxpayer Records
Maintaining separate NPWP numbers for spouses who report jointly can create duplicate records within the system. Consolidation helps reduce this risk.
Reinforcing the Family as a Single Economic Unit
Indonesia’s income tax law recognizes the family as a unified economic entity, meaning that income and tax obligations may be reported collectively.
Improving Monitoring and Compliance
A simplified database structure enables authorities to monitor taxpayer activity more effectively while reducing administrative complexity.
Can Wives Still File Taxes Separately?
Yes. Indonesian tax regulations still allow married women to maintain an independent taxpayer identity under certain conditions.
A wife may continue filing taxes independently if she chooses one of the following statuses:
- Memilih Terpisah (MT) – Choosing to report taxes separately from the husband.
- Pisah Harta (PH) – Separation of assets between spouses.
These arrangements allow the wife to maintain an active NPWP and submit tax reports independently.
Such arrangements are sometimes required for professional or employment purposes, particularly when employers require employees to maintain an individual taxpayer identity.
How to Reactivate a Wife’s NPWP?
For wives who wish to maintain a separate tax identity, the Coretax system provides a process to reactivate the NPWP.
The reactivation procedure typically includes several steps:
- The wife updates her profile status to MT (Separate Tax Reporting) or PH (Separation of Assets) through the Coretax system.
- The husband updates the family record in the Data Unit Keluarga (DUK) by adjusting the wife’s status to Head of Another Family Unit (MT/PH).
- Once the data is synchronized, the wife may submit a request to reactivate the inactive NPWP.
After the process is completed and verified, the wife can once again submit her annual tax return independently.
What This Means for Taxpayers in Indonesia
For many households, the change will simplify tax reporting.
However, for others, particularly professionals, entrepreneurs, or expatriates, understanding the implications of family tax structures remains essential.
Individuals should review their tax status to determine whether:
- They are listed as dependents in the family tax profile
- Their NPWP remains active within the Coretax system
- Separate tax reporting is required for employment or professional purposes
In some cases, maintaining separate taxpayer status may still be necessary.
Implications for Expatriates and Foreign Professionals
Although the policy primarily affects Indonesian citizens, expatriates living and working in Indonesia should also be aware of how family tax structures operate under Indonesian law.
Many expatriate families maintain dual-income arrangements, and certain employers may require employees to hold an active NPWP for payroll reporting.
For expatriates, understanding the following areas is particularly important:
- Tax residency rules in Indonesia
- Family tax reporting structures
- Employer withholding obligations
- Compliance with annual tax filing requirements
Changes introduced through the Coretax system highlight the increasing importance of staying informed about evolving tax regulations.
Navigating Indonesia’s Tax System with Professional Support
Indonesia’s tax framework continues to modernize as the government introduces new digital infrastructure, such as the Coretax platform.
While these changes aim to simplify compliance, they also require taxpayers to adapt to updated administrative procedures.
For expatriates, investors, and professionals operating in Indonesia, professional tax guidance can help ensure compliance with local regulations while avoiding unnecessary administrative complications.
As a subsidiary of LMI Consultancy, Lets Move Indonesia provides professional tax advisory services for individuals and businesses navigating Indonesia’s regulatory environment.
Our team assists clients with:
- Tax registration and compliance
- NPWP and Coretax administration
- Personal and corporate tax reporting
- Immigration and business advisory services
As Indonesia’s tax system continues to evolve, staying informed and compliant remains essential for anyone living, working, or investing in the country.
Streamline a smooth compliance by reporting your SPT with Lets Move Indonesia’s professional assistance. For professional, compliant, and timely annual filing support, Contact Our Professional Advisors to schedule a consultation.
