"I did not participate (in the program), but a company, that I no longer manage, did," he said when inspecting tax amnesty services at the Tax Directorate General Headquarters, here, Friday evening.
Jokowi was a furniture businessman before joining politics.
During the inspection, the head of state was accompanied by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Deputy Finance Minister Mardiasmo, Tax Director General Ken Dwijugiasteadi, Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) President Director Tito Sulistio, and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Rosan P Roeslani.
He expressed his appreciation that the tax amnesty program reached Rp97.1 trillion, while repatriation as well as declaration of assets were worth Rp3,540 trillion.
He did not want to predict whether a target of redemption funds amounting to Rp165 trillion would be reached at the end of this year, because the main focus of the program was for a tax system reform.
"I dont want to talk about the target, because what we want is to expand the tax base, to improve the taxation system as well as our service system. But the figure that I mention (Rp3,540 trillion), is not small," he remarked.
The president urged the remaining tax evaders to participate in the amnesty program in the second and third periods that offer numerous benefits.
The government earned Rp97.1 trillion in redemption funds from the program until the end of the first period on Friday.
Indonesia had been the most successful among countries who adopted a tax amnesty policy, Sri Mulyani said while expressing thanks to the tax payers.
"We will continue to maintain credibility by providing good services," she said. ***3***
(f001/INE)
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/F001) 01-10-2016 13:03:35
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
