Indonesian e-commerce unicorn Tokopedia is collaborating with the country’s finance ministry to launch payment features for more than 900 types of state administration services. This makes Tokopedia the first Indonesian tech platform to act as a consolidated channel for users when they pay for state services, the company said in an official statement.
This feature is a part of Tokopedia’s efforts to assist the government in streamlining the tax payment process, thereby increasing the country’s tax compliance rate and state revenue. This is the key to economic equality in the country, Tokopedia co-founder and CEO William Tanuwidjaja said in the statement. The company has previously indicated that it aims to boost digital financial inclusion in Indonesia.
Tokopedia will handle three categories of state service payments, including online tax, customs duty, and non-tax state revenue. Users will be able to pay income taxes, value-added taxes, customs duties, as well as fees for passport extensions, driver’s licenses, and even marriage certificate.
Payments will be handled via OVO or through interbank transfers, virtual accounts, or debit and credit cards. Receipts for completed payments will be issued by Tokopedia, and are considered official proofs of payment.
In Tokopedia’s statement, Indonesian finance minister Sri Mulyani said that her institution is welcoming initiatives to simplify the tax payment process. The Indonesian government is working with various entities, including Tokopedia, to encourage taxpayer participation.
Besides Tokopedia, the finance ministry has also reportedly authorized e-commerce platform Bukalapak to implement an electronic state revenue payment portal. The company has met all requirements and passed the user acceptance test conducted by the Treasury’s director-general. Bukapak may launch a feature similar to that of Tokopedia in the third quarter of 2019.
