Unfair treatment by tax office
Unfair treatment by tax office
Toward the end of 1997, my company was audited by the Palmerah
KPP (tax service office) for the years 1995 and 1996. We
submitted all the necessary documentation to the tax office for
audit.
In April 1998, the documents were returned and everything was
accepted, except for a few minor discrepancies. In May 1998, my
office was burned to ashes in the widespread May riots. We
reported our devastating loss to the police, the tax office, our
customers, etc.
The company ceased to operate after that, and, with a very
heavy heart, we had to part with our loyal workers. In the
following months we were asked by the tax office for additional
information, to which we replied that we simply could not provide
any more, due to the tragic event.
In August 1998, the tax office came to a decision, whereby we
had to pay taxes based on the outflow of funds calculated from
our bank statement. They simply made the assumption that all
outflowing funds equated to our sales figures, totaled them up
and imposed a 10 percent tax on them. We tried in vain to explain
our problem and dilemma.
They referred the matter to the regional office, which also
turned a deaf ear to our pleas. They told us to take the case to
the tax court (BPSP). In order for the hearing to proceed, we
were required to pay in full the whole amount, a sum we simply
didn't have. The company was on the brink of bankruptcy and yet
we were told to pay the full tax amount in advance before the
court could proceed. Because of this our plea was dismissed. The
last option available to us is to request a revaluation (PK).
Now the tax office wants to confiscate and auction off my
office. Is this the way the tax office operates, to ensure it
meets its target revenue?
All these years I have diligently paid my taxes and have
never, for an instant, tried to evade any tax. Because of my
misfortune, I am hunted and condemned like a cursed criminal.
Where have I gone wrong? Where is the sense of justice? I
have lost my business, my livelihood and my faithful workers, and
the tax office still wants to take away my sole possession in an
unjust manner. I would like to appeal to the tax office to do me
justice and do the right thing.
WIDODO, Jakarta