Awaiting Tax Refund Policy Direction Under Minister of FinanceSuahasil
JAKARTA, DDTCNews – With the change of leadership at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the direction of the tax refund policy under Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara has attracted considerable attention. The topic features among the reviews in the national media today, Wednesday (16/9/2026).
Director General of Taxes Bimo Wijayanto affirmed that the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) will disburse tax refunds in accordance with the established audit standard operating procedures. He noted that the DGT cannot disburse refunds without reference to the prescribed SOPs.
"These tax refunds are indeed selective, more measured, more planned and targeted towards sectors that are genuinely compliant. The others are subject to audit. And audits also have their standards. The DGT is certainly not in a position to breach the SOPs," he said.
Regarding the future direction of refund policy, Bimo continued, refunds will be implemented in line with the directives of Minister of Finance Suahasil Nazara.
"Of course, according to Mr Suahasil's guidance on how and all of that. We also have to adjust to the needs of development funding and deficit management, thereby the state budget remains strong, healthy, resilient and sustainable," Bimo said.
For information, tax refunds remain one of the obstacles highlighted by business operators and the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat/DPR in Indonesian). One such body is the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kamar Dagang dan Industri/Kadin in Indonesian). Delayed disbursement of refunds is considered to affect cash flow and the capacity of businesses to fund projects.
"We fully understand these [business] complaints and have coordinated, conveyed and consulted with the Minister of Finance, who indeed holds the authority and policy over tax refunds," said Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
Member of the House of Representatives Commission XI, Harris Turino, also stated that tax refunds need to be disbursed promptly given that they are the right of the taxpayer.
"A tax refund is fundamentally a corporate right. If this is withheld, many corporations will experience problems with their cash flow," he said.
In addition to the above topic, there is a review of the proposal to establish a Tax Chamber at the Supreme Court. There is also discussion relating to the strengthening of underinvoicing supervision by DSI, the compilation of the Indonesian customs tariff book and other matters.
The following is a comprehensive review of the tax articles.
Suahasil Considered More Pro-Business
Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Indonesia, Telisa Aulia Falianty, said that the change of the minister of finance may potentially result in a more business-friendly approach, including in the resolution of tax refunds.
According to Telisa, Suahasil has a background as both an academic and a technocrat with extensive experience in economic policy. As such, Suahasil has the potential to foster closer collaboration with the business community.
"Suahasil is more pro-business and should make greater efforts [to disburse refunds]. Especially for those with a good tax track record and no outstanding issues," she said. (DDTCNews/Kontan)
Proposal to Establish a Tax Chamber at the Supreme Court
Head of the Laboratory of the Department of Economics and Business at Gadjah Mada University, Kun Hariwibowo, is advocating for the establishment of a Tax Chamber at the Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung/MA in Indonesian) to strengthen legal certainty and reduce the high volume of tax disputes.
According to Kun, recurring tax disputes impose high economic costs on both the state and the business community. He estimates there is a potential economic loss of up to approximately IDR40 trillion per year as a result of legal uncertainty in taxation.
Such costs arise from, among others, tax refunds resulting from the tax authority's losses in court as well as administrative penalties borne by taxpayers when they lose in disputes. (Kontan)
Indonesian Customs Tariff Book 2028 Compiled with 4 Strategic Updates
The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE), together with relevant ministries and agencies, has begun compiling the Indonesian Customs Tariff Book (Buku Tarif Kepabeanan Indonesia/BTKI in Indonesian) 2028.
The compilation of the BTKI 2028 commenced with a kick-off meeting held last week. The compilation is being undertaken to prepare a classification and customs tariff imposition system capable of responding to developments in trade and the needs of the national economy.
"The compilation of the BTKI 2028 forms part of Indonesia's commitment to the international trading system," said Head of the DGCE Public Relations and Dissemination Sub-Directorate, Budi Prasetiyo. (DDTCNews)
New Minister of Finance, Apindo Calls for Tax Policy Certainty
The Employers' Association of Indonesia (Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia/APINDO in Indonesian) hopes that the new minister of finance will continue to maintain the credibility of fiscal management, certainty in policy direction and the confidence of entrepreneurs and investors.
APINDO Chairperson, Shinta W Kamdani, said the business community requires certainty in government policy amid the change to a new minister of finance. Several policies highlighted by APINDO include taxation, customs and incentives.
"For the business world, what matters is not merely the change of individual, but the consistency and quality of policy following the transition," she said. (DDTCNews)
DSI Strengthens Underinvoicing Supervision
Supervision by PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI) will strengthen export governance by implementing supervision focused on identifying underinvoicing values, transfer pricing and shortfalls in the repatriation of export proceeds (DHE).
DSI Legal and Compliance Director, Ivan Ferdiansyah Baely, said underinvoicing arises when the declared price is below the fair market value or when exported goods are declared as products of lower quality.
"To mitigate this, DSI will validate transaction values, namely comparing export documents against market benchmarks and reconciling prices, quantities and quality," Ivan said at a meeting with the House Legislation Body (Badan Legislasi/Baleg in Indonesian). (DDTCNews)
Suahasil as the Minister of Finance: House Flags Revenue Homework
The House of Representatives has welcomed the inauguration of Suahasil Nazara as the new Minister of Finance, replacing Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Deputy Chairperson of the House Budget Committee (Badan Anggaran/Banggar in Indonesian), Wihadi Wiyanto, said the inauguration reinforces market confidence whilst simultaneously stabilising the national financial system.
He also hoped that Suahasil would be able to establish a stronger financial system and boost market confidence. He noted that both aspects need to be maintained in order to support national economic growth.
However, he continued, Suahasil still has outstanding challenges in terms of state revenues, primarily relating to tax, customs and excise revenues. (DDTCNews)