Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has officially stated that there will be no further tax amnesty programs during his tenure. This strategic decision aims to shield tax officials from potential transactional practices that could arise from such policies.
“I am protecting our colleagues in the tax department. Moving forward, we will not implement another tax amnesty program unless explicitly ordered by the President,” Purbaya remarked at the Ministry of Finance office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. He emphasized that the focus is for staff to work with peace of mind, focusing on enforcing existing tax regulations with discipline and high integrity.
Regarding the prospect of a future amnesty, Purbaya clarified that it would only be considered under a direct mandate from President Prabowo. This stance serves to discourage the notion that tax non-compliance will be repeatedly excused by future government pardons.
The Minister also addressed recent concerns following reports that the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) intended to pursue participants of the previous voluntary disclosure program who had failed to report their assets. Purbaya expressed his disapproval of these public announcements, noting that they often lead to unnecessary public anxiety.
“There is talk of toll taxes, this tax, that tax. To prevent confusion and misinformation, from now on, only I am authorized to announce tax policies, not the Director General of Taxes,” he asserted. By centralizing communication, the Ministry aims to maintain consistency and clarity in tax policy dissemination.
Historically, tax amnesty programs in Indonesia have been governed by Law Number 7 of 2021 concerning the Harmonization of Tax Regulations (UU HPP). The country has previously held two such programs: the initial rollout in 2016-2017 and the second phase, known as the Voluntary Disclosure Program, in 2022.
Purbaya has consistently signaled his opposition to recurring amnesty cycles since he took office. During a statement on September 19, 2025, he warned that repeatedly offering amnesty sends a dangerous message to taxpayers, implying that violations may be ignored in anticipation of future government leniency.
This article was written with contributions from Ilona Estherina.
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Summary
Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has officially declared that there will be no future tax amnesty programs during his tenure, unless explicitly mandated by the President. This policy aims to protect tax officials from transactional practices and ensures that taxpayers remain compliant without the expectation of future pardons. By maintaining strict enforcement of existing regulations, the Ministry intends to foster discipline and integrity within the tax system.
To prevent public confusion, Purbaya has centralized all tax policy communications, stripping the Director General of Taxes of the authority to make public announcements. This change follows concerns over misleading reports regarding asset reporting and additional tax burdens. The government aims to avoid the negative consequences of recurring amnesty cycles, which have historically weakened tax compliance and public trust.