Suahasil: DGT to Grasp Economic Conditions and Taxpayers‘ Behaviour

JAKARTA, DDTCNews - Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara has requested the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) to understand economic conditions and taxpayers' behaviour. This topic is among the subjects covered by the national media today, Tuesday (22/9/2026).

Suahasil said that an understanding of both aspects is needed as a consideration when making decisions in the field of taxation. He expressed hope that the DGT would be able to establish a tax system that is credible, fair and capable of sustainably supporting the state's financing needs.

"We need a DGT that is able to read the Indonesian economy, understand taxpayers' behaviour and translate that into sound decisions," he said.

The minister of finance's message was delivered when he inaugurated 14 Ministry of Finance (MoF) officials. Of the 14 officials, 4 are echelon-2 officials within the DGT and 2 officials are filling the positions of secretary and deputy secretary at the Tax Court Secretariat.

The four DGT officials inaugurated include Agung Krisdiyanto as Advisor for Tax Services; Sekti Widihartanto as Head of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Directorate General of Taxes Regional Office.

Then, Ihsan Priyawibawa as Head of the East and North Kalimantan Directorate General of Taxes Regional Office; and Ani Natalia as Head of the Papua, West Papua and Maluku Directorate General of Taxes Regional Office.

Meanwhile, Teddy Suhartadi Permadi has been appointed as Secretary of the Tax Court; and Bismar Fahlerie has taken up the post of Deputy Secretary of the Tax Court.

Further, Suahasil stated that each inauguration of officials is not merely intended to fill vacant posts. In his view, the process of filling positions holds great significance for the MoF as an organisation.

"Some are promoted, some are transferred. This reflects our comprehensive understanding of today's inauguration. It is a continuous effort to ensure that our organisation keeps moving and developing and is capable of addressing the challenges we face," claimed Suahasil.

Suahasil added that today's inauguration represents a refinement of inaugurations that had been carried out previously. The refinement was carried out on the basis of a report from the MoF's Position and Rank Advisory Board (Badan Pertimbangan Jabatan dan Kepangkatan/Baperjakat in Indonesian).

In addition to the above topic, there is coverage regarding optimism about the State Budget (APBN) deficit. There is also discussion relating to the impact of commodity price increases on state revenues and expenditure, the performance of VAT revenues and other matters.

The following is a full review of the tax articles.

Baperjakat as a Key Process in the Merit System at the MoF

Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara, affirmed that the inauguration of officials at the Ministry of Finance was carried out on the basis of a Baperjakat report. In his view, the Baperjakat process is crucial for implementing the merit system within MoF's bureaucracy.

Through Baperjakat, he continued, an official will be placed in a particular position through a sound and credible process of transfer or promotion.

"Baperjakat is conducted through a tiered process, from the talent management process that examines the performance and characteristics of each Ministry of Finance employee and feeds this into talent management," said Suahasil. (DDTCNews)

With Refund Management, Domestic VAT Performance Rises 53.9%

Domestic VAT revenues were recorded as surging by 53.9%, with a realisation of IDR314.8 trillion for the period January to August 2026.

According to Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara, the said surge was caused by refund management in the large-scale fuel trading sector. Domestic VAT also became the type of tax with the largest contribution to total tax revenues up to August 2026, at 22.3%.

"Domestic VAT grew strongly on a cumulative basis because it includes the refund management I mentioned earlier," said Suahasil. (DDTCNews/Kontan)

MoF Assures Robust State Budget and Deficit on Target

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is optimistic that the 2026 state budget deficit will remain under control, so as not to exceed the outlook of 2.85% of GDP.

Director General of Economic and Fiscal Strategy Acting Official at the MoF, Ferry Ardiyanto, said the state budget is relatively stable and strong in cushioning shocks from economic and geopolitical turbulence. Therefore, the budget deficit at the year-end is believed to remain in line with the government's projections.

"As the Minister also explained, we have a strong buffer to mitigate geoeconomic and geopolitical turbulence. So, the deficit outlook of 2.85% of GDP remains the government's baseline," he said. (DDTCNews)

BPK Begins Audit of Danantara's Financial Statements

The Audit Board (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan/BPK in Indonesian) has commenced a financial audit of Danantara's financial statements for 2025.

The audit covers the Danantara Investment Management Body (Badan Pengelola Investasi/BPI in Indonesian), Danantara Asset Management (DAM), Danantara Investment Management (DIM) and all state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under the Danantara umbrella.

"The BPK is committed to overseeing the governance and accountability of BPI Danantara as the foundation for quality financial reporting," said BPK Member VII Slamet Edy Purnomo. (DDTCNews)

Commodity Prices Lift Tax Revenues; Suahasil Wary of Expenditure Surge

Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara, stated that a surge in global commodity prices, including crude oil, coal and nickel, will also lift national tax revenues.

However, Suahasil continued, the government also needs to remain vigilant because at the same time a surge in certain commodity prices risks driving up expenditure, particularly energy subsidy spending.

"If [the price of] brent crude rises, it is not just subsidies that increase, but revenues also go up. However, we must be watchful," he said. (DDTCNews)

Suahasil Assures Tax-Related Complaints Will Continue to Be Followed Up

Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara, has assured the general public and internal Ministry of Finance employees that they may continue to report indications of violations, fraud, corruption or bribery at the MoF.

Suahasil indirectly indicated that he has not opened a dedicated reporting channel, for example, a 'Report to the Finance Minister' channel, such as that operated by the previous finance minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.

Nonetheless, he assured both the public and internal employees that they may continue to submit complaints through channels already available at the MoF and its echelon I units, including the DGT and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE). (DDTCNews)