Soimah Feels Intimidated By Tax Officers, Spokesperson For The Ministry Of Finance Opens Voice

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance Yustinus Prastowo opened his voice regarding Soimah's viral story which claimed to have received unpleasant treatment from tax officers who came to his house and measured the pavilion of the house that had not yet been completed. Yustinus explained that the procedure is a normal activity based on a clear letter of assignment.

"Regarding the arrival of tax workers carrying debt collectors, entering the house, measuring the pavilion, including checking building details, it is a normal activity based on a clear assignment letter," Prastowo said in his statement, Saturday, April 8.

Furthermore, he said that if you build a house without contractors with an area of more than 200 m2, you will pay 2 percent of the total expenditure.

"The law regulates this to fulfill a sense of justice with the construction that VAT owes. Tax officers even involve professional appraisers so that they are not arbitrary," he continued.

As a result, he continued, the value of the building was estimated at IDR 4.7 billion and not IDR 50 billion as Soimah claimed. Meanwhile, in his own report, Soimah stated that the pavilion was worth IDR 5 billion.

"It is important to note that the tax officer's conclusions and recommendations have not even been followed up. This means that VAT is owed 2 percent of the Rp4.7 billion, which has not been billed at all," he said.

Regarding Soimah's statement that if the tax officer brought a debt collector, Prastowo said that the debt collector in question was a State Tax Confiscation Officer (JSPN).

"They work equipped with a letter of assignment and carry out orders, it is clear that there are tax debts that are in arrears," added Prastowo.

He added that Soimah herself had never been examined by the tax office and it was recorded that there were no tax debts and officers who came to Soimah's house, not a 'debt collector' and only measured the pavilion of Soimah's house.

"Soimah herself has never been examined by the tax office and it is recorded that there is no tax debt, then why was she visited while carrying a debt collector?" Prastowo continued.

Previously, Soimah through the Blakasuta YouTube channel, Soimah, told the unpleasant incident she received to Butet Kartaradjasa. "In 2015, he came to the house, the tax person opened the fence without a kulonuwun (mission) suddenly at the door which seemed to be running away," said Soimah, quoted on Saturday, April 8.

Not only once, Soimah had to keep all of her expenses so that they were not suspected by the tax officers. The next incident, Soimah was surprised by the arrival of tax officers who measured the pavilion being built. To give an interpretation of the price, the officer toured the pavilion from 10.00 WIB to 17.00 WIB.

"Finally, the pavilion was applied for almost Rp. 50 billion, even though I didn't even know how much was completely exhausted. On the other hand, I was sad, how come that, on the other hand I was happy. I'm happy. If it sells for Rp. 50 billion, tukunen, I'm lucky. I just paid taxes, tukunen nek pay Rp 50 billion," said Soimah.