Income tax
Income tax
From Sinar
Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad recently announced the
list of the biggest income tax payers in Indonesia for the year
1993. For private individuals, the first on the list was Sinta
Dewi Sampurno, holder of PT HMS shares in Surabaya, East Java.
It was reported that Sinta Dewi has sold her shares and from
the sale she got a capital gain of about Rp 67 billion. So,
according to the report, Sinta Dewi paid income tax of Rp 23
billion, making Sudomo Salim or Liem Sioe Liong the second
biggest income tax payer on the list.
Surely many of us still remember that in 1993 William
Soeryadjaya or Oom Willem, then major share holder of PT Astra
International, was forced to sell his shares because the company
was involved with a huge debt with a bank. It was said that he
gained about Rp 900 billion from the sale. Because of this
profit, Oom Willem should have paid income tax of around Rp 313
billion. But, in fact, Oom Willem was not on the list of 200
businessmen who paid the most income tax. If he did pay the
income tax he should have been the first on the list instead of
Sinta Dewi.
Laymen cannot possibly understand such a case, but Oom Willem
and the taxation officials know about it precisely. Of course the
Director General of Tax may not disclose the tax payment to the
public because Oom Willem can sue the tax official for abusing
his position, unless Oom Willem gives his approval for the
announcement.
As a public figure, Oom Willem should inform society of the
matter. Perhaps Oom Willem knows legal ways, without violating
the law, to avoid the obligation to pay the tax from the profit
of the shares sale. Oom Willem, or another party on his behalf,
can explain to the society about the matter. This is very
important, in my opinion, so that Oom Willem's reputation is not
compromised, and the society does not accuse him of tax evasion.
Has the Tax Directorate General examined Oom Willem and his
taxes? If so, the society should be informed of his tax payment.
Suharsono Hadikusumo
Jakarta