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