Purbaya Opens Possibility to Boost Marketplace Tax by End of Q2 2026, See the Considerations

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that his ministry is open to the possibility of increasing taxes on online marketplaces by the end of the second quarter of 2026. However, he admitted that the plan is still under review and will not be rushed into implementation, as it must also consider the state of public purchasing power. “After the second quarter ends, we will see what the purchasing power of the public is like. If it disrupts it, we will avoid it,” Purbaya said at the Ministry of Finance in Jakarta on Tuesday, 21 April 2026. He explained that the regulation of online marketplaces aims to create competitiveness or healthy competition, particularly for traders in traditional markets. “So that those in traditional markets can compete,” he said. This is because, during visits to traditional markets, Purbaya often receives direct complaints from traders about their inability to compete with online sellers. “That’s one of the main things I’m thinking about; it’s not just that the government wants income,” Purbaya said. “Because when I go to the market, they say, ‘Sir, we’re losing to online like this. The shops are regulated, Sir.’ So that’s what we’re considering. That’s the goal,” he added. However, Purbaya reiterated that his side does not want this policy to end up killing the digital trading sector, which is currently growing rapidly. He even admitted that he himself often shops online. “So that those in traditional markets can survive and compete, but this (marketplace) doesn’t die either. Because I also buy (goods) online,” he said.