Finance Minister Purbaya Pledges Bonus for Finance Ministry Officials if Tax Ratio Reaches 11 Per Cent

JAKARTA — Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has pledged bonuses for Ministry of Finance employees if Indonesia’s tax ratio succeeds in increasing to approximately 11 per cent.

Purbaya stated that increased state revenue is key to expanding the government’s fiscal space, particularly given that state expenditure requirements will continue to rise to drive economic growth.

“If state revenue increases well, for instance if our tax ratio next year can approach 11 per cent, I will request a bonus from the President so that all of our colleagues can receive one,” Purbaya said during an inauguration ceremony at the Ministry of Finance in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

He assessed that digitalization is beginning to demonstrate significant impact on increased tax revenue.

“We are promoting Coretax and digitalization. I can see the impact is quite substantial. Compared to last year, revenue can increase by around 30 per cent,” Purbaya said.

Beyond the tax sector, the government will also strengthen digitalization at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to minimise potential leakage in state revenue.

According to him, digitalization aims to reduce direct contact between officials and business operators, thereby minimising practices that could lead to irregularities.

“Through digitalization we avoid direct meetings with business operators, so there is no more revenue leakage,” he said.

Nevertheless, Purbaya stressed that the success of system reform remains dependent on the integrity of employees.

He reminded that even the most sophisticated systems will not function optimally if not supported by human resources with integrity.

“However sophisticated the system may be, if the integrity of the people is weak it will certainly fail,” he said.

For this reason, Purbaya urged all Ministry of Finance employees, particularly at the Directorate General of Taxes and Directorate General of Customs and Excise, to work maximally and maintain integrity in increasing state revenue.

He stressed that the target of increasing the tax ratio to approximately 11 per cent is a direct directive from the President.

“The target of a double-digit tax ratio is not only my wish, but also the President’s directive,” he said.

Purbaya also stated he will visit work units more frequently after Eid to monitor employee performance in increasing state revenue.

“I will come more often to your place. So don’t take this lightly, let us build together taxation and customs so that state revenue can increase,” Purbaya said.