TEMPO.CO, Bogor - Thousands of taxpayers having arrears in Bogor Regency flocked the police One-stop Administration Services (Samsat) office to obtain tax penalty amnesty.

A total of 64,700 residents benefitted from the program that removes the tax penalty of all arrears, which lasted from November 10 until December 10.

Also, the penalty removal was valid for debts that piled up over five years. By means, people are only obliged to pay four years tax without a fine.

“Because of the high public interest, we extend the program until the end of the year,” said the city’s head of revenue management board, Ade Sukalsah, at his office, Cibinong, Wednesday, December 11.

Ade clarified that the figure was only the number of those having arrears, outside regular taxpayers coming to the office.

"We initially plan to implement it until December 10, the surge of visitors occurred last week because residents thought it was the last date," Ade added.

According to him, the government’s policy of providing tax penalty amnesty had succeeded in encouraging people to pay their tax, especially those in arrears. “People welcome this tax policy,” he said, adding that he could not yet mention the maximum figure obtained from the program.

M.A MURTADHO