Eko B. Supriyanto
THE GOVERNMENT has decided to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12%. While this represents a 1% increase, it translates to a 9.09% rise. Initially, the government assured that the 12% VAT would only apply to luxury goods. However, it has now been revealed that digital transactions like QRIS will also be taxed. Even more surprising is the fact that, despite already being subject to an 11% VAT, many people were unaware that they were being taxed on QRIS transactions. Not everyone understood that QRIS transactions have been taxed since 2022, and now several merchants are just realizing they are affected.
Surprisingly, it was only after the VAT hike to 12% that the public realized merchants were being taxed. Prior to this, the focus was primarily on convenience, with little attention given to taxation. The Infobank Institute reports that QRIS transactions have been successful and have grown significantly.
Bank Indonesia (BI) has played a pivotal role in encouraging the public to adopt QRIS, not only in Indonesia but also in several ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as in Japan and South Korea. QRIS has made payments easier.
