Responding to the demands of 17+8, the Government Reforms Taxes to Increase State Revenue for the People’s Welfare
Jakarta: The government has provided a concrete response to public demands outlined in the 17+8 agenda by pushing for comprehensive tax reform. This step was taken to ensure state revenues are optimized and fully directed towards improving public welfare.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudi Sadewa stated that the government is required to encourage early compliance through consistent law enforcement, transparent tax services, and fair incentives for compliant taxpayers. With these steps, it is hoped that state revenue will no longer be dependent on tax amnesty policies, but rather on a healthy and sustainable tax base.
“Currently, the government is directed to build tax compliance from the start through consistent law enforcement, transparent services, and providing fair incentives for compliant taxpayers,” he said.
Similarly, Anis Byarwati, a member of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, supports the government’s tax reform efforts. She added that tax services should not only be improved through oversight but also through digitalization. With a simpler, more transparent, and accountable system, taxpayers are expected to more easily fulfill their obligations.
“In addition to oversight, the government is also strengthening tax services through digital systems. This effort is believed to minimize the potential for irregularities in the field and further build public trust in the tax system,” he said.
Meanwhile, UPN Veteran Jakarta Economist Achmad Nur Hidayat stated that his institution supports the government’s efforts to reform state tax revenues. He hopes that value-added tax (VAT) will be made fairer, with the wealthy paying a larger share than the lower classes.
“VAT actually burdens the middle and lower classes more than the elite. So, that sense of fairness is what needs to be prioritized,” said Achmad.
The government invites all elements of the nation to support this policy. With collaboration and collective compliance, taxes will no longer be viewed merely as an obligation, but rather as a modern instrument of mutual cooperation to bring prosperity to all Indonesians.
