January Tax Grows 30 Percent, Purbaya Confident Deficit 2026 is Under Control

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa believes that the State Budget (APBN) deficit for the 2026 Fiscal Year is under control because tax revenue in January was able to grow by 30.8 percent.

"The initial results in January, taxes grew 30 percent compared to January last year. If we hold 30 percent, that is already exceeding the state budget target, the deficit will decrease," said Purbaya in the Economic Outlook 2026 activity in Jakarta, Thursday, February 12, reported by ANTARA.

Purbaya said his strategy in maintaining revenue was not focused on the amount of tax rates, but on the impetus for national economic growth.

The Minister of Finance argues that the slowing economy has an impact on the slowing performance of the business world, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the ability to pay taxes.

Therefore, he set a strategy to inject stimulus into the economy to reverse the economic conditions with all available instruments.

"I didn't raise the tax rate, I postponed the online tax, I postponed the tax on sweetened beverages in packages (MBDK), because I know when the economy falls, the government does not strangle the economy, it should give stimulus," explained the Minister of Finance.

In parallel, he injected funds into the banking sector to encourage liquidity and move the real sector, encouraging local governments to accelerate spending, to overcome business obstacles.

In addition, the former Chairman of the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) also corrected employees at institutions under his supervision, especially the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) to prevent revenue leakage.

The state treasurer believes that the results of these various efforts are reflected in the performance of tax revenue in January 2026.

"So, a faster economy is my capital to control income, tax ratio, and budget deficit," he said.

Based on the Ministry of Finance's report, tax revenue grew by 30.8 percent with a value of Rp116.2 trillion, equivalent to 4.9 percent of the 2026 state budget target of Rp2,357.7 trillion.

Tax revenue performance is the main support for state revenues, which recorded Rp172.7 trillion as of January 31, 2026, growing 9.8 percent compared to the realization of January last year, which was worth Rp157.3 trillion.

The realization of receipts as of January is equivalent to 5.5 percent of the 2026 State Budget (APBN) target of Rp. 3,153.6 trillion.