Prianto Budi Saptono

This study provides an early evaluation of the effectiveness of the Core Tax Administration System, a digital taxation platform introduced to integrate all tax administration processes in Indonesia into a single system. To conduct this evaluation, the study integrates two of the most established frameworks in the information systems literature, namely the DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model and the Technology Acceptance Model. Tax professionals are involved in the evaluation process because they are the primary users of the system and possess advanced knowledge of taxation. Structural equation modeling is employed as the analytical technique. The results indicate that system usage generates individual-level benefits by reducing perceived compliance costs, which in turn translate into organizational-level outcomes in the form of increased tax compliance intentions. However, the non-linear effect analysis reveals that this relationship is not entirely linear but follows an inverted U-shaped pattern. This finding suggests that over time, highly routine system usage may reduce professional vigilance by fostering excessive reliance on automated features and superficial processing. Such dependence can weaken perceived efficiency gains and diminish intrinsic motivation for careful and accurate reporting, highlighting the importance of balancing efficiency with system design features that support professional judgment and vigilance.

This study explores the interplay between tax incentives, creative compliance, and innovation in enhancing business resilience and sustainability among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia, addressing gaps in the existing literature regarding their interrelationships during crises. A cross-sectional survey of 360 MSMEs was conducted, utilizing the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to analyze complex relationships among variables. The findings reveal that creative compliance, including tax planning and avoidance, does not directly impact resilience or sustainability. While tax incentives did not significantly enhance resilience during crises, they contributed to long-term sustainability. Innovation emerged as a critical factor linking creative compliance to business success and fully mediating the effects of tax incentives on resilience. This study emphasizes the necessity for MSMEs to prioritize innovation in their strategies, particularly in conjunction with effective tax practices, and highlights the need for government support through simplified regulatory frameworks to foster an innovative business environment. Limitations include the challenges of incorporating control variables in SEM and the need for further research into the long-term effects of these factors on sustainable performance.

This study investigates the intricate relationship between corporate financial strategies, encapsulated by book-tax differences (BTDs), and firms’ engagement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs during economic crises. Using an unbalanced panel dataset drawn from financial, annual, and sustainability reports of over 97 Indonesian non-financial firms from 2017 to 2022, this study reveals that economic crises and CSR activities positively influence total BTD and permanent differences. Notably, firms strategically leverage CSR initiatives amidst crises to enhance their corporate image and manage internal challenges like aggressive tax planning. The robustness of these findings was validated through endogeneity analysis and by examining sub-samples from industries most impacted by the pandemic. In the industries least affected by the pandemic, the direct impact of CSR on BTD was found to be negative, indicating that in the general context, the CSR programs held by these industries are largely driven by normative motives. However, when specified in the crisis context, CSR serves as a strategic buffer for these industries, which reaffirms the prevalence of CSR strategic motives during Indonesia’s pandemic challenges. The findings suggest policy implications for shareholders, regulators, and policymakers to ensure CSR transparency aligns with long-term corporate values and societal impact, incentivizing genuine CSR practices amidst economic uncertainty. Despite its contributions, the study recommends future research explore different domains of CSR and validate findings across diverse contexts to enrich the understanding of CSR’s role in corporate resilience strategies.

Purpose — This study explores the perspectives of key figures from Islamic boarding schools (Kiai Pesantren) in Depok City, Indonesia, regarding the efforts to promote fiscal transparency, participation and accountability (FTPA) by the government for enhancing taxpayer compliance. Design/Methodology/Approach — This study is based on the interpretivist paradigm. Keywords related to Muslims’ obligations, zakat and taxes were sourced to find relevant literature. A thematic analysis was conducted of in-depth interview data from Kiai Pesantren regarding their perspectives on state fund management. Findings — The results show the importance of FTPA in state fund management, especially when aligned with Islamic principles. Fiscal transparency involves directing tax funds towards poverty alleviation alongside infrastructure development. The involvement of religious organisations can be aimed at fostering moral responsibility among officials, while citizen participation can be facilitated through open data for budget planning. The accountability of public officials must be accompanied by efforts to minimise corruption and enforce strict punishments for corrupt activities. Moreover, fully crediting zakat payments for Muslim taxpayers could improve tax compliance, but this requires assurance through future policy reforms. Originality/Value — This study contributes to the literature by integrating Islamic principles into the framework of FTPA. Research Limitations/Implications — Broader insights into tax compliance management and support for Sharīʿah-based taxation could be addressed by involving Islamic scholars across countries.

This paper endeavours to investigate whether a complex tax system influences firms’ propensity toward tax evasion across countries. To achieve the objectives of this study, we utilised the World Bank Enterprise Survey and the World Bank’s Doing Business databases covering more than 46,000 companies from 83 countries. Our study revealed that the increased time required to pay taxes and higher total tax payments were associated with a greater extent and incidence of tax evasion among firms. The consistency of these benchmark regression results was proven through endogeneity analysis and several robustness tests. Furthermore, our heterogeneity analyses showed that the effect of tax complexity on firm tax evasion was more prominent in low- and lower-middle-income countries and also in the primary industry. These findings offer promising evidence for policymakers, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries where the majority of companies operate in the primary industry. Addressing the complexity of the tax system could potentially mitigate the adverse impact on tax evasion levels in these countries. Furthermore, our spatial analysis provides valuable insights, emphasising the potential impact of tax complexity in neighbouring countries and underscoring the necessity for policymakers in the home countries to strategise on harmonising and streamlining their tax systems.

Limited tax collection authority in local self-governments hampers revenue generation in rural regions with smaller populations and limited commercial activity, while the growth of the digital economy further complicates tax collection for local governments. The objective of this study is to examine the challenges encountered by both the central and local tax administrations in Indonesia when implementing consumption-based taxation, especially in light of the increasing prevalence of digital transactions. The study reveals that the shift from traditional to digital transactions is likely to result in conflicting taxing rights between central and local governments. Local governments are typically entitled to a share of taxes on certain forms of consumption, such as accommodation, food delivery, and entertainment. However, the use of digital platforms to provide these services has significantly reduced the local government’s share of tax revenue. This issue is exacerbated when the central tax administration, with its competitive advantage, administers the transaction alongside the broader value-added tax object. In addition to the unclear tax-sharing arrangement, the underlying problem consists in the inadequate coverage of all digital transactions, potentially leading to revenue leakage and double non-taxation.

This study quantifies intergovernmental transfers’ contemporaneous and lagged effects on local tax revenues of districts/municipalities in Indonesia. This study found that transfer as aggregate and unconditional transfers/ Dana Alokasi Umum have crowding-in effects on local tax revenues. Meanwhile, revenue sharing/ Dana Bagi Hasil and conditional transfers/ Dana Alokasi Khusus do not significantly affect the tax revenues of districts/municipalities. In addition, system-Generalized Method of Moments estimation results show that the contemporaneous effects of transfers are more prominent in magnitude than their lagged effects. It indicates that local tax enforcement due to transfers provides a larger portion than the local spending stimulus in determining local revenue increases. Our findings refute the negative stigma that emerged after implementing fiscal decentralization, particularly related to the disincentive effect of transfers on local government efforts to generate their revenues. Therefore, equitably endowing local governments with intergovernmental transfers will improve their accountability and build public trust.

Indonesia is currently preparing to adopt the climate-related disclosure standard. Before this new standard is implemented effectively, the Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants (IAI), the Indonesia Task Force on Comprehensive Corporate Reporting (CCR) leader, recognised the importance of harmonising this standard’s key disclosure indicators with Indonesian regulations and business characteristics. In this case, input from various constituencies may be required, particularly regarding the mechanism that enables entities with varying capabilities and levels of preparation to apply this new standard. Hence, the main objective of this paper is to develop weighted and applicable climate-related disclosure indicators. We use the Delphi method to achieve this objective by involving several experts representing various user groups that influence accounting standard formulation in Indonesia. The Delphi method is a decision-making tool that establishes an effective communication process, facilitating complex problem solving. This study finalised 44 climate-related disclosure indicators based on the results of two Delphi rounds. Overall, 48% (21/44) of climate-related disclosure indicators were identified to be highly applicable. Among these high-relevance indicators, there were 10% (2/21) Governance, 24% (5/21) Strategy, 42% (9/21) Risk Management, and 24% (5/21) Metrics and Targets indicators. Additionally, around 20% (9/44) of climate-related disclosure indicators received 100% approval from the experts. Along with various essential implications, we argue that these results provide useful additional information for the national standard setter for the climate-related disclosure standard that are efficient and less burdensome to entities.

For Muslims, all aspects of human life including politics and leadership are governed by the Holy Qur’ān. One of the well-known verses is QS. An-Nisa [4]: 59 which instructs the Muslims to obey uli’l-amr. The literature, however, shows that the scope of obedience is not absolute. Resultantly, the current research aims to understand the tax compliance in the context of obedience to authority. It provides a contemporary viewpoint from the Islamic boarding school (pesantren) communities in Depok, Indonesia about enrichment. Both quantitative research and field observations have been used to accomplish the research goals. Focusing on the pesantren communities’ support for the operation of public services, it highlights the connections between obedience to authority and tax compliance. They confirm several assertions frequently linked to tax compliance based on the responsibility on order to obey the ruler, the legitimacy of tax collection, and the intention to engage in tax (non) compliance. The findings enhance the pesantren environment’s support for taxation as a commitment to implement QS. An-Nisa [4]: 59. If the government’s ability to collect taxes is constrained, it would remind them to handle this resource efficiently. This study emphasises the importance of taxation for the viability of the state with genuine support for taxation, transcending any political right. Since uli’l-amr is inherent in religious teachings, the government’s main goal remains to encourage taxpayer compliance through various means of assistance. In this regard, recommendations for promoting tax compliance through some mechanisms are also presented.