"There are still many people lacking obedience to pay taxes, and there are also many leaks here and there," Yudhoyono said here on Friday.
He called on tax payers to meet their obligations to the state by paying taxes.
The tax money could be used to help people in need and prevent social gap from widening, he said.
He expressed optimism that the state income would continue to increase saying in the 2005-2010 period, tax revenues rose 16 percent a year.
In 2011, the growth was higher at 18 percent and in 2012 it is expected to rise further to 19.5 percent, he said.
Similarly he expects an increase in customs and excise revenues, which have almost doubled over the three year period ending in 2011.
He warned, however, rampant corruption and abuse of authority have to be eradicated in the customs and excise sector.
There is still room for larger income from the customs and excise sector, he said.
The president agreed to study a proposal of the finance minister to recruit more customs and excise officers.
He pointed out Malaysia, which is far smaller in population and territory, has 15,000 customs and excise officers as against Indonesia`s 10,000 officers only.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
