Agus admitted that the target was not met last year due to global economic slowdown that has reduced exports leading to a trade deficit.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance minister Agus Martowardojo said he was optimistic the target of tax revenue set at Rp1,042.2 trillion for 2013 would be met.
"We have not fully recovered and the challenge is quite big but with strong optimism and hard work accompanied by bureaucratic reform efforts God willing the target would be met," he said in his speech at the submission of tax returns by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono and other high-ranking state officials here on Thursday.
Agus admitted that the target was not met last year due to global economic slowdown that has reduced exports leading to a trade deficit.
He said tax revenues that contribute up to 70 percent of the state`s income have tripled since 2005.
"Tax revenue is the main source of state funding contributing more than 70 percent of the total state income. Its growth has even been above the nominal growth of the GDP and so the tax ratio has also continuously increased," he said.
Minister Agus expressed appreciation to state officials who have obediently filed tax returns every year and the director general of tax service that has always improved its service.
"Familiarization must continue to be done and I thanked the President and other heads of state institutions that have come to this function to help assure the public to meet their tax obligation," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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