TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani is considering to erase the value added tax (VAT of PPN) for books. Her suggestion arose following the backlash from writers and publishers regarding the writer’s tax.
“We will listen [to them] and we’ll calculate the needs. If it is logical in the sense of national needs, then we’ll do it,” said Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Wednesday, September 13.
Read: Sri Mulyani Reveals Plan for Writers Tax
Previously, people who work in the book industry, such as writers, publishers, and publishing organizations urged the government to erase the tax for books. Currently, only general textbooks, religious scriptures, and religious textbooks are excluded from the tax.
The book industry asked that the tax exemption should also be applied to any book genres.
“Books that are sold should not be taxable,” said Chairman of Indonesian Publishers Association (IKAPI) Rosidayati Rozalina on Saturday, September 9.
Sri Mulyani suggested that book publishing taxes should be thoroughly researched and studied, which encompasses many elements, include the writer, printing, the raw materials (paper) as well as its recycling process.
ALFAN HILMI
