BPS Bali Assures Public That Economic Census Data Will Not Affect Taxes

The Bali Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reassured the public that the data being collected for the 2026 Economic Census is not intended to influence taxation.

“We understand the public’s concerns regarding the implementation of the 2026 Economic Census, but we must emphasise that the purpose of the census is not for tax determination or supervision,” stated the Head of BPS Bali, Agus Gede Hendrayana Hermawan, in Denpasar on Wednesday.

This statement was made by Agus Gede in response to widespread concerns on social media that the government might use the 2026 Economic Census data to monitor the public’s economic status and subsequently increase taxes based on perceived business success.

However, he clarified that the data collected by BPS Bali is used solely for statistical purposes and development planning. He noted that the 2026 Economic Census is not a new initiative, marking the fifth time the census has been conducted every ten years since 1986. The practice aligns with economic censuses conducted in other countries, and BPS Bali has urged the public not to worry.

“The 2026 Economic Census involves comprehensive data collection across all sectors and business scales without exception. The resulting data serves as a vital foundation for understanding economic structures, monitoring business developments, and supporting the formulation of data-driven development policies,” he said.

Rather than influencing state-collected taxes, the information provided by the public will be used by the government to capture a more complete picture of the quantity, characteristics, distribution, and structure of businesses in every region. With this data, the government can develop various economic indicators, including Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), which is used to measure regional economic performance and growth.

“The more complete and accurate the business data obtained through the Economic Census, the better the quality of the resulting economic statistics, including GRDP. Consequently, local governments can formulate more targeted development policies, identify leading sectors, encourage investment, create jobs, and improve public welfare,” he added.

For business owners, the processed results of this census are also believed to be useful for strengthening business planning, understanding market structures and potential, and identifying business development opportunities. “Thus, the Economic Census is not only a tool for development planning but also supports the growth and competitiveness of the business world, particularly in Bali,” said Agus Gede.

Furthermore, BPS Bali ensured the confidentiality of the data provided to census officers, as respondent data protection is guaranteed by two layers of regulation: Law Number 16 of 1997 and Law Number 27 of 2022.

“Therefore, we invite all members of the public and business actors in Bali to participate in the 2026 Economic Census by receiving census officers and providing accurate data. Data confidentiality is maintained as part of our collective effort to achieve accurate and high-quality economic data,” he concluded.