Denying Claims of a Tax Restitution Payout Quota, Purbaya Highlights Suspected Leakage

Jakarta, VIVA – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has denied that there is a cap or quota on disbursement of tax refunds at any Tax Service Office (KPP). In a press conference for the APBN KiTa May 2026 edition, he explained that refunds of overpayments to taxpayers continue to be processed. He said the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) has disbursed more than Rp160 trillion in tax refunds from January to April 2026.

‘No, there is no quota. We just check whether the refunds are correct or not. If they are wrong, they are held back first,’ Purbaya said on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

He said the government is now more cautious in disbursing tax refunds. The move stems from allegations of leakage in state revenue arising from large refunds that are not properly targeted.

Nevertheless, Purbaya emphasised that the government is not stopping refunds to taxpayers who are entitled to receive overpayments.

‘So far we have released more than Rp160 trillion. If compared with last year’s full-year Rp360 trillion, roughly tripling would be Rp480 trillion, which would be higher than last year,’ he added.

Purbaya noted that the government wants to ensure all refunds disbursed are verified correctly and do not involve any misappropriation.

‘I do not know whether those refunds are genuine or whether there is collusion. I have asked the Director General of Taxes (Bimo Wijayanto) to re-examine the nature of refunds, but it does not stop and continues to run,’ he said.

For reference, tax revenue reached Rp646.3 trillion as of 30 April 2026, up 16.1 per cent from last year’s Rp556.9 trillion.

Tax receipts are mainly supported by personal income tax (PPh) and PPh 21, as well as value-added tax (VAT, PPN) and the luxury goods sales tax (PPnBM). Personal income tax and PPh 21 rose 25.1 per cent to Rp101.1 trillion, while VAT and PPnBM increased 40.2 per cent to Rp221.2 trillion. (Ant).