Tax and Young Garuda

The biennial event of the most prestigious football tournament in the Southeast Asia region, the AFF SUZUKI CUP 2020, has just ended. The event, which was supposed to be held in 2020, had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and could only be held at the end of 2021. Uniquely, the second leg final was actually held on the first day of 2022.

Indonesia itself must again feel the bitterness of defeat in the final of the tournament which was formerly known as the Tiger Cup. This is the sixth time the Indonesian National Team (Timnas) has lost in the final. Six times fought in the final, six times also minor results must be felt. The Indonesian national team must recognize Thailand’s superiority with an aggregate of 2-6.

But interestingly, this unsatisfactory result was responded positively by almost all football lovers in the country. No insults and insults. Sentences of support were still given to the young Garuda troops who had fought optimally in the tournament.

This time, the Indonesian national team is filled with potential young players from the country. The Indonesian squad is a squad with an average age of 23.8 years or the youngest compared to the average age of the elite semifinalist teams in the tournament. The fact on the ground that this young team was able to compete with experienced teams from other countries and even managed to compete in this top match attracted the sympathy of the public to give support to the team made by Shin Tae-Yong, the coach from South Korea.

Even when Indonesia was 0-4 behind due to defeat in the first leg final. The Indonesian people are still enthusiastic about supporting the young Garuda troops. Many venues to watch together are still packed with people. The timeline on social media was also decorated with a tone of support for the young Garuda troops to be able to return in the second leg. Although the final result did not meet expectations, this did not diminish the community’s support. In fact, many parties support Shin Tae-Yong to continue to coach the Indonesian national team and build a young team with bright prospects because they are optimistic about the development of Indonesian football under the coach’s cold hands.

Tax Effort

In contrast to the not-so-satisfying final result that the Indonesian National Team had to accept at the AFF SUZUKI CUP 2020 event, the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) is rejoicing in passing the year 2021 which has just passed. In 2021, DGT will finally be able to repeat the history of achieving the tax revenue target which was last achieved in 2008. This means that 13 years of struggle, which must have been accompanied by prayers, have finally paid off.

The achievement of this national tax revenue target is the result of the hard work of all work units in DGT. Although the data shows that 15 of 34 regional offices (kanwil) and 208 of 352 Tax Service Offices (KPP) can achieve and even exceed 100% of the tax revenue target, it does not mean that other work units do not contribute. This is the achievement of all work units and all DGT employees scattered throughout the motherland.

The achievement of this tax revenue is certainly also the result of the support of all taxpayers who have contributed to paying taxes for this country. Contributions that not only give joy to DGT, but also support the implementation of development in our beloved country. If it is analogous to football supporters, the contribution of these taxpayers shows the fanaticism of tax supporters to play an active role in development in the Republic of Indonesia.

Just as the Indonesian national team has participated in physical and mental forgings in training camps, preparations before the tournament, and the long wait to win the title, the team at DGT has also been tempered with an unyielding spirit since 13 years ago. Facing many challenges on the way to achieving this acceptance is not an easy thing. As part of the institution that carries more than 70% of revenues in the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), all the movements and actions of these tax fighters certainly do not go unnoticed. It is not surprising, because the great hope of the country lies on their shoulders. The formulation and compounding of strategies must be right on target and able to be executed into concrete steps that provide optimal results.

Enthusiasm also surged from 34 regional offices, 4 large tax payer KPPs, 9 special KPPs, 38 Madya KPPs, 301 Pratama KPPs, 204 KP2KPs, and 4 Technical Implementation Units (UPT) to translate strategies, programs, and directives into real work in their fields. each in an effort to complete the big goal of achieving state revenue from the taxation sector. This spirit is like the spirit of the Indonesian national team players from every position as well as team officials such as managers, coaching teams, health teams, nutrition teams, and other team members in the success of achieving the targets carried out by the Indonesian national team.

Like the development towards the Indonesian National Team which is able to shine at the world level, the development and improvement of the management system is also one of the efforts to achieve the organization’s big goals related to taxation. As was done by DGT in the Tax Administration Core System Update (PSIAP) project which seeks to redesign the tax administration business process through the development of the Commercial of The Shelf (COTS) information system along with reforming the taxation database. A project that certainly requires a lot of time and not a small amount of funds. The support of stakeholders, including taxpayers, is certainly highly expected to make this system update a success.

Support from stakeholders is very important like support from young Garuda supporters who believe in the process that young Garuda is in the right hands to fly high and conquer the world. Support that will create confidence and pride in the tax authorities of the country. Support that will foster a spirit of tax awareness and tax compliance among taxpayers. Support that will lead Indonesia to state budget independence. The future of tax reform is on the right track as a real step in favor of the wider community and facing future economic challenges. Believe in the process to create a better Indonesia, because with a strong tax, Indonesia is progressing.