Tax on Indonesia's 50 Richest Individuals Reaches Rp142 Trillion, Enough to Fund Free KRL for 8 Years!

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The tax on the wealth of Indonesia’s trillionaires, if imposed, could fund beneficial programmes for society and the nation, from building hundreds of thousands of homes, repairing forests, healthcare, to education.

Research by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) in the Indonesian Economic Inequality Report 2026 reveals that the potential wealth tax could be more optimal with a threshold or minimum limit for wealth tax imposition of Rp84 billion. With a progressive rate of 1-2%, the potential wealth tax could reach Rp142.2 trillion per year. This amount is nearly 60% of the total income tax paid by all workers in Indonesia.

For information, in the first quarter of 2026, tax receipts consisted of Corporate Income Tax (PPh) of Rp43.3 trillion. Meanwhile, Personal Income Tax and PPh 21 recorded Rp61.3 trillion, up 15.8%. Final PPh, PPh 22, and PPh 26 reached Rp76.7 trillion, up 5.1%.

“Wealth tax on 50 trillionaires worth Rp93 trillion represents the state’s potential revenue from an accumulated tax of 2% on the wealth of Indonesia’s 50 richest people,” said CELIOS, quoted on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

CELIOS notes that from the Rp93 trillion wealth tax imposed on 50 trillionaires, there are at least 17 benefits for society and the nation, namely:

• 387,000 homes for low-income communities can be built,

• 41.34 million tonnes of subsidised fertiliser can be provided to farmers,

• 1.76 Gigawatts of national energy capacity can be supplied from micro-hydro power plants,

• 5.47 million hectares of tropical rainforest can be restored,

• Rp4.35 million in monthly salaries that all honorary teachers will receive for two full years,

• 34 million elderly people receiving old-age social security protection,

• 21.7 million people whose living needs can be adequately met,

• Free KRL for 8 years and 40 new modes. For 8 years, KRL throughout Jabodetabek can be made free, plus the addition of 40 new train sets to eliminate passenger overcrowding,

• 180 million BPJS Premium Assistance Recipients (PBI) whose costs can be covered,

• Rp4.88 million in incentives that can be used by all healthcare workers in Indonesia,

• Rp9.13 million in daycare service incentives that will be enjoyed by all families with toddlers in Indonesia,

• 1.2 million university students who can study for free until graduation,

• 465,000 scientific research projects that can be funded,

• 5.8 million solar panel units that can be provided for remote villages,

• Rp13.3 million in total vehicle maintenance subsidies for one year that will be received by all online motorcycle taxi drivers in Indonesia,

• Rp6.1 million in economic access support for people with disabilities, and

• Rp0 or free full treatment costs for chronic diseases such as dialysis.

“Wealth tax is categorised as a progressive tax because the burden is relatively larger on the wealthy group compared to regressive taxes that burden the poor.”

The wealth tax is supported by society, according to CELIOS survey results. The CELIOS survey on public perceptions of wealth tax also received high support. The majority of the public agree if wealth tax is implemented in Indonesia.

The majority of respondents also believe that wealth tax can reduce economic inequality between social classes.

“In the midst of widening inequality, the state actually has room to draw greater contributions from the top group, not from ordinary people who are already burdened,” emphasised CELIOS.