President gets direct access to supervise tax revenue<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
In an effort to ensure transparency at the taxation office the
\nMinistry of Finance's Directorate General of Taxation installed
\nan online monitor at the presidential office on Friday, so that
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono can supervise updated tax
\nrevenue nationwide.<\/p>\n
Featuring revenue from taxation offices in 33 provinces, the
\nonline plasma monitor was installed in collaboration with 86
\nbanks and can only be switched on using the President's
\nfingerprints.<\/p>\n
\"The monitor will give the President direct access to monitor
\nupdated tax revenue through a secure line,\" Director General for
\nTaxation Hadi Purnomo said.<\/p>\n
\"We will also set up a system whereby the President can find
\nall the data he needs if he has any inquiries on tax revenue.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia's tax income has sharply increased over the past two
\nyears. Last year's tax income of Rp 239 trillion (US$25.75
\nbillion) surpassed the targeted figure in the State Budget of Rp
\n238.6 trillion.<\/p>\n
The taxation office was among the first government
\ninstitutions visited by Susilo during his early days as
\nPresident. His administration has prioritized minimizing
\n\"leakages in lucrative offices\".<\/p>\n
Hadi said that the idea to set up the online monitor came
\nduring a discussion between taxation officials and the President
\nhimself.<\/p>\n
He added that since early this year, tax revenue has reached
\nRp 12 trillion, although the State Budget requires monthly tax
\nrevenue of Rp 23 trillion on average.<\/p>\n
\"Several factors still hamper us in increasing tax revenue
\nsuch as the central bank's disapproval for access to people's
\nbank accounts and poor coordination among government offices.\"<\/p>\n
Hadi said without the approval, the taxation office could not
\ndecide on the exact amount that should be paid by certain
\nindividuals or businesspeople.<\/p>\n
He added that this lack of coordination had also made it
\ndifficult for the taxation office to double check taxpayers' tax
\nobligations.<\/p>\n
However, Hadi remains optimistic that his office can reach the
\ntargeted revenue as stated in the State Budget.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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