Why Finance Minister Purbaya Ends Tax Amnesty Program<\/p>\n
Reporter<\/p>\n
September 3, 2026 | 04:38 pm<\/p>\n
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa outlined\nthe reasons why the government will not reintroduce the tax amnesty\npolicy. According to him, the program poses potential legal risks for\ntax officials, as participating taxpayers could still face audits in\nsubsequent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my opinion, it is detrimental to taxpayers. A few years later,\nthey can still be audited,\u201d Purbaya said during the 100 Indonesian\nEconomists Seminar 2026 in Jakarta on Thursday, September 3, 2026.<\/p>\n
Purbaya explained that complications arise when tax officers audit\nindividuals who previously joined the amnesty scheme. Such audits risk\nentangling tax officials in legal disputes, particularly if the\nunderlying tax data lack sufficient clarity.<\/p>\n
Given these concerns, Purbaya emphasized that no tax amnesty program\nwill be offered during his tenure as Finance Minister, including in\n2027. \u201cThere is none (no tax amnesty). I have stated that as long as I\nserve as Finance Minister, there will be no tax amnesty,\u201d he\naffirmed.<\/p>\n
Instead, he explained that the government will focus on refining the\ntax collection process to boost state revenues. Purbaya maintains that\nmaximizing revenue is better achieved by reinforcing compliance under\nexisting tax laws rather than granting repeated amnesties to\ntaxpayers.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Purbaya confirmed he would not target the assets of tax\namnesty participants processed through the Voluntary Disclosure Program\n(VDP) or tax amnesties. Assets reported by business owners or taxpayers\nduring past amnesties will not be reassessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the future, they only need to pay according to their normal\nbusiness development,\u201d Purbaya said during a press briefing at his\noffice on Monday, May 11, 2026.<\/p>\n
The former Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) Board of Commissioners\nChairperson emphasized that the tax amnesty program has concluded. For\ncompliant participants, no further tax claims will be pursued. The only\nexceptions apply to agreed-upon payment commitments that have been\nunfulfilled.<\/p>\n
Previously, reports circulated suggesting the Directorate General of\nTaxes would target voluntary disclosure program participants who failed\nto report all assets. Purbaya stated he would reprimand the Tax DG\nregarding that announcement.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that the Tax DG has repeatedly issued public\nstatements that triggered unnecessary public anxiety. \u201cThere was talk of\ntoll road taxes, this tax, and that tax. So, in the future, only I will\nannounce tax policies, not the Director General of Taxes, to eliminate\nconfusion,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
The Voluntary Disclosure Program and tax amnesty were authorized\nunder Law No.\u00a07\/2021 on the Harmonization of Tax Regulations. The tax\namnesty scheme was rolled out twice. The initial phase took place in\n2016\u20132017. In 2022, the government launched the Voluntary Disclosure\nProgram, effectively serving as the second phase of tax amnesty.<\/p>\n
Since taking office, Purbaya has consistently maintained that he will\nnot revive the tax amnesty program. He first made this commitment clear\non September 19, 2025. \u201cRepeated amnesties send the wrong message to\ntaxpayers, suggesting they can evade obligations because another amnesty\nwill follow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ilona Estherina contributed to this article<\/p>\n
Read: Finance Ministry to Take Over Whoosh Debt Management on\nSeptember 15<\/p>\n
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