Purbaya: Writer tax incentives key to long-term economic growth

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that writer tax incentives serve as a foundation for long-term economic growth. Speaking at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Jakarta on Tuesday, Purbaya explained that Indonesia currently has few writers, especially in scientific fields. The incentives aim to encourage more people to write and publish books, improving the nation’s human capital quality in the future.

“The impact on economic growth is not short-term but long-term. It may take a year or two for books to be published, after which readers become more knowledgeable. Secondly, it enhances the intellectual life of the nation,” Purbaya said.

This will enable the public to access credible information sources rather than relying on unverified social media content.

“Primarily, to encourage Indonesian writers to be more active by reducing their tax burden,” he added.

The government has prepared an economic stimulus package including a 1.5% final income tax rate for writers. On another front, the government is providing transport sector stimuli, such as discounted land and air travel tickets during school holidays and the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) period. Furthermore, the government continues the national internship programme, with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga stating that the fourth batch, starting in July 2026, will target 150,000 participants with a budget of Rp4.14 trillion. Additionally, the national vocational programme aims to support 220,000 high school graduates and 50,000 retrenched workers, backed by a Rp2.12 trillion budget.