The Role of the Tax Directorate General in Indonesia

The Tax Directorate General in Indonesia: Roles and Responsibilities

  • InCorp Editorial Team
  • 19 July 2024
  • 5 minutes reading time

The tax directorate general in Indonesia is crucial to strengthening the country’s fiscal policy and economic stability. As the primary agency responsible for tax collection and administration, the governmental body ensures compliance with tax laws and regulations and generates essential revenue for the government. 

This comprehensive guide explores how the tax directorate general in Indonesia functions, is responsible and impacts Indonesia’s economy.

What is the Tax Directorate General in Indonesia?

The Tax Directorate General or Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) is one of the directorates under the Ministry of Finance. It operates by the mandate of the Minister of Finance Regulation No. 184/PMK/01/2010 on the Organization and Work Procedures of the Ministry of Finance.

With the presence of the DGT, the Indonesian public is expected to understand the importance of paying taxes correctly and on time to support Indonesia’s development.

What Does the DGT Stand For?

The Directorate General of Taxes (DGT), operating under Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance, formulates taxation policies. The tax directorate general is a critical driver of the national economy. Therefore, every regulation is expected to capitalize on opportunities arising in the rapidly evolving digital era.

Brief History of the Tax Directorate General

The DGT began as a merger of several taxation units in Indonesia, including the Tax Office, the Bureau of Auction, the Tax Accountant Office, and the Agricultural Tax Office, which was initially under the Directorate of Regional Development Contribution (IPEDA).

IPEDA, initially part of the Directorate General of Monetary, was transferred to the Directorate General of Tax following Presidential Decree No. 12/1976 in March 1976. The tax directorate general is structured into head office units and operational office units. 

The DGT’s head office includes the Secretariat of the Directorate General, directorates, and reviewer positions. The operational offices comprise the Regional Office of the DGT (Kanwil DJP), the Tax Service Office (KPP), the Tax Service, the Counseling and Consulting Office (KP2KP), and the Tax Data and Document Processing Centre (PPDDP).

Responsibilities of the Tax Directorate General in Indonesia

The Role of the Tax Directorate General in Indonesia

In addition to implementing local tax policies, the DGT is tasked with standardizing technical aspects within the tax field. As a crucial part of the Ministry of Finance, the tax directorate general in Indonesia is a key economic driver for the country.

According to the Minister of Finance Regulation Number 234/PMK.01/2015 mandate, which pertains to the Ministry of Finance’s organization and work procedures, the DGT is responsible for developing and executing taxation policies and technical standards.

To fulfill these duties, the DGT performs several functions:

  • Developing tax policies
  • Implementing tax policies
  • Preparing norms, standards, procedures, and criteria for taxation
  • Offering technical guidance and assessments in taxation
  • Managing the operational activities of the DGT

Importance of the Tax Directorate General for Taxpayers

The Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) plays a pivotal role in overseeing and managing various important functions within Indonesia’s taxation landscape.

Collection of State Revenue

One of the DGT’s primary roles is collecting state revenue from the taxation sector. The DGT manages taxes such as income tax, value-added tax (VAT), property tax (PBB), and others. This tax revenue is a primary source of state income for financing various government programs and activities.

Tax Compliance Supervision and Enforcement

The DGT is responsible for overseeing and enforcing taxpayer compliance with tax obligations, which includes monitoring timely tax reporting and payments and preventing tax avoidance or evasion. The tax directorate general in Indonesia strives to create a fair and equitable taxation climate for all taxpayers through strict law enforcement.

Formulation of Tax Policies

The DGT formulates tax policies, including amendments to tax laws and technical policies related to tax administration. This aims to continuously improve the tax system’s efficiency and provide appropriate incentives for the national economy.

Taxpayer Services and Education

The DGT aims to deliver excellent services to taxpayers, which includes simplifying tax administration procedures and informing them about their obligations and rights.

Additionally, the DGT enhances public awareness and comprehension of the importance of taxation through educational and social outreach initiatives.

Development of the Tax System

The DGT conducts research and analysis to develop a more efficient, transparent, and fair tax system. This includes implementing information technology and e-government to enhance tax management and oversight.

International Cooperation

The DGT actively engages in international cooperation regarding tax information exchange and tax avoidance prevention. This cooperation is essential to ensure that cross-border transactions are well-monitored and that due taxes are duly collected.

Overall, the role of the Directorate General of Taxes is vital in maintaining the country’s fiscal stability, funding various development programs, and creating a conducive taxation environment for economic growth and societal welfare.

Let InCorp Manage Your Tax Reporting

Preparing a tax report can be challenging and time-consuming, fraught with the risk of errors that could trigger costly penalties and investigations.

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Fill in the form below for accurate, efficient, and compliant tax reporting.

Daris Salam

COO Indonesia at InCorp Indonesia

With more than 10 years of expertise in accounting and finance, Daris Salam dedicates his knowledge to consistently improving the performance of InCorp Indonesia and maintaining clients and partnerships.

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Frequent Asked Questions

Yes, submitting monthly and annual tax reports is mandatory even if your company does not have any business activities, thus zero taxes.