President gets direct access to supervise tax revenue

President gets direct access to supervise tax revenue

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

In an effort to ensure transparency at the taxation office the
Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Taxation installed
an online monitor at the presidential office on Friday, so that
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono can supervise updated tax
revenue nationwide.

Featuring revenue from taxation offices in 33 provinces, the
online plasma monitor was installed in collaboration with 86
banks and can only be switched on using the President's
fingerprints.

"The monitor will give the President direct access to monitor
updated tax revenue through a secure line," Director General for
Taxation Hadi Purnomo said.

"We will also set up a system whereby the President can find
all the data he needs if he has any inquiries on tax revenue."

Indonesia's tax income has sharply increased over the past two
years. Last year's tax income of Rp 239 trillion (US$25.75
billion) surpassed the targeted figure in the State Budget of Rp
238.6 trillion.

The taxation office was among the first government
institutions visited by Susilo during his early days as
President. His administration has prioritized minimizing
"leakages in lucrative offices".

Hadi said that the idea to set up the online monitor came
during a discussion between taxation officials and the President
himself.

He added that since early this year, tax revenue has reached
Rp 12 trillion, although the State Budget requires monthly tax
revenue of Rp 23 trillion on average.

"Several factors still hamper us in increasing tax revenue
such as the central bank's disapproval for access to people's
bank accounts and poor coordination among government offices."

Hadi said without the approval, the taxation office could not
decide on the exact amount that should be paid by certain
individuals or businesspeople.

He added that this lack of coordination had also made it
difficult for the taxation office to double check taxpayers' tax
obligations.

However, Hadi remains optimistic that his office can reach the
targeted revenue as stated in the State Budget.