Liquidate Debt of IDR 25.4 Billion, DJP Releases Tax Payer

JAKARTA - The tax payer with the initials SHB was released from gijzeling (gijzeling) by the Central Java I Regional Office of the Directorate General of Taxes (Kanwil DJP) together with the Tax Service Office (KPP) of Madya Dua Semarang. The release was carried out after the person concerned paid off all his tax debts of Rp. 25,461,551,451 and collection costs of Rp. 7,588,000.

With the repayment, SHB was released from the seizure because it had fulfilled the provisions of Article 73 paragraph (1) letter a of the Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 61 of 2023, which stipulates that the tax payer can be released if the tax debt and tax collection costs that are the basis for the seizure have been paid in full.

The act of kidnapping SHB was carried out by the State Tax Officer (JSPN) of the KPP Madya Dua Semarang with the full support of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police in accordance with the DJP-Polri Cooperation Agreement Number PKS/7/III/2021 and PRJ-04/PJ/2021 regarding Law Enforcement in the Tax Sector. Kidnapping is a temporary restraint of the freedom of the taxpayer by placing him in a certain place.

This action can be taken against taxpayers who have a tax debt of at least IDR 100 million and are doubtful of their good faith to pay off the tax debt. Taxpayers who are held hostage can be released if the tax debt and collection costs have been paid.

Head of the Central Java I DJP Regional Office, Nurbaeti Munawaroh, said in the SHB case, the person concerned was placed in the Semarang Class I Correctional Institution (Lapas). During the hostage-taking period, DJP ensured that the basic rights of taxpayers were still met.

He emphasized that the hostage-taking and release actions were carried out in accordance with the applicable provisions and procedures.

"The hostage-taking we carried out as a law enforcement step in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Collection Law with a Forced Letter, namely Law Number 19 of 1997 as amended by Law Number 19 of 2000. All processes have been carried out in accordance with rules and procedures," he said in a written statement, Thursday, January 15.

Nurbaeti hopes that similar incidents will not recur and appeals to taxpayers to meet their tax obligations in a timely manner.

"We always prioritize service in collecting state revenues from the tax sector so that law enforcement measures are the last effort," he said.

He added that this law enforcement action is expected to be a lesson for other taxpayers.

"This activity is expected to have a deterrent effect, that the enforcement of tax law does not look at anyone and can be applied to anyone who does not fulfill their obligations according to the provisions," he concluded.