Update Indonesia's Tax Amnesty Program: 1st Phase Ended Successfully
The first phase of Indonesia's tax amnesty program ended on Friday (30/09). Contrary to earlier forecasts the first phase of the program can be labeled a success. The Indonesian government collected IDR 97.2 trillion (approx. USD $7.5 billion) in additional tax revenue, or 58.9 percent of the nine-month program's full target (IDR 165 trillion). Indonesia's tax amnesty program, which runs up to 31 March 2017, is divided in three phases. In the first phase the government offered the most attractive tax tariffs to taxpayers who declare and/or repatriate their previously unreported assets.
Besides the successful amount of tax revenue that is generated through the government's tax amnesty program, the total of asset declarations in the program's first phase was also a success. Asset declarations totaled IDR 3,603.6 trillion (approx. USD $277 billion), or 90.1 percent of the government's target (IDR 4,000 trillion). This success is supported by a group of giant Indonesian businessmen - including Anthoni Salim (Indofood Group) and James Riady (Lippo Group) - who reported their assets and set a good example for others to follow. Most of these asset declarations (roughly IDR 2,517.6 trillion) involve onshore assets, the remainder being offshore assets (mostly stored in the so-called tax havens).
However, the repatriation of offshore funds only reached IDR 136.5 trillion (approx. USD $10.5 billion), or 13.6 percent of the full target (IDR 1,000 trillion), at the end of the first phase. This is somewhat disappointing but makes sense considering that taxpayers prefer to enjoy the more attractive tax rates overseas. Moreover, the government set the requirement that repatriated funds need to remain in Indonesia for at least three years in specific investment instruments. For many taxpayers this is an unattractive option.
Asset declarations, tax payments and asset repatriations are expected to decline in the second and third phases of the government's tax amnesty program because tax tariffs are raised.
Tax Amnesty Program Indonesia - Tax Tariffs:
| Period | Tax Tariff |
|
| Declaration of Funds | 1 July - 30 September 2016 | 4% |
| 1 October - 31 December 2016 | 6% | |
| 1 January - 31 March 2017 | 10% | |
| Repatriation of Funds | 1 July - 30 September 2016 | 2% |
| 1 October - 31 December 2016 | 3% | |
| 1 January - 31 March 2017 | 5% |
Source: Indonesian Finance Ministry
More than 38,000 Indonesian tax officers are taking part in the amnesty program since its launch in July 2016, with tax offices open seven days a week, serving more than 340,000 taxpayers.
Yustinus Prastowo, member of local policy think-tank Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA), commented that the government's amnesty program constitutes a great achievement as it has already become the world's most successful tax amnesty program ever.
Tax Amnesty Program Indonesia - Score So Far:
| Target (in IDR trillion) |
Per 30 Sep '16 (in IDR trillion) |
Achieved | |
| State Income |
165.0 | 97.2 | 58.9% |
| Declaration of Funds | 4,000.0 | 3,603.6 | 90.1% |
| Repatriation of Funds | 1,000.0 | 136.5 | 13.6% |
Source: www.pajak.go.id/statistik-amnesti
Poll Indonesia Investments:
Do you think that Indonesia's tax amnesty program will be a success?
Voting possible: -
Results
- Yes, I do (50.6%)
- No, I don't (32.8%)
- I don't know (16.6%)
Total amount of votes: 2421