TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Army (TNI) clarified that there is no new assignment for Village Supervisory Non-Commissioned Officers (Babinsa) regarding taxpayer compliance monitoring by the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Taxes.
Head of the Army Information Service, Brigadier General Donny Pramono, noted that referencing Babinsa in Circular Letter No. SE-8/PJ/2026 issued by the tax office is part of an inter-agency coordination mechanism aimed at developing regional information networks. Donny emphasized that the circular does not alter the authority of either agency.
"The Indonesian Army asserts that there are no new assignments or changes to the core duties of Babinsa in the field of taxation," Donny said in an official statement on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Donny explained that Circular Letter No. SE-8/PJ/2026 is an internal guideline for the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) to conduct taxpayer compliance oversight. The document regulates various data collection methods and the expansion of information networks integral to the tax office's duties.
Consequently, referencing Babinsa and police village security officers (Bhabinkamtibmas) aims solely to foster regional information networks, rather than granting military personnel the authority to oversee, inspect, collect, or enforce tax laws.
"So, it is inaccurate to interpret their inclusion as an expansion of Babinsa's duties or authority," he added.
Donny also noted that the Directorate General of Taxes has clarified that Babinsa officers are not tax officials and hold no authority to oversee, inspect, collect, or enforce tax obligations. Any coordination conducted forms part of inter-agency synergy, such as providing support, if necessary, to facilitate tax officers' field operations.
Donny stressed that all tax enforcement authority remains strictly under the jurisdiction of the Directorate General of Taxes, in accordance with statutory regulations. The tax office also confirmed that these rules are not a new policy, but rather an update to internal guidelines active since 2020.
"For the Indonesian Army, Babinsa duties remain guided by legal provisions governing territorial development, regional defense empowerment, social communication, and building regional resilience," he said.
According to Donny, in carrying out their responsibilities, Babinsa officers routinely coordinate and communicate with local government officials, security personnel, and community members as part of collaborative local governance.
Previously, the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Taxes stated that involving Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas should not fuel public or business perceptions of intimidation or concern.
"We emphasize that Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas are not involved in tax audits or law enforcement," said Inge Diana Rismawanti, the DJP's Director of Counseling, Services, and Public Relations, on Monday, July 20, 2026.
Inge explained that referencing both officers in Circular Letter No. SE-8/PJ/2026 falls strictly within the scope of developing regional information networks, reflecting standard government coordination with local entities across regions.
Mutia Yuantisya contributed to this article
Read: 5 Demands from Civil Groups Over TNI Role in Taxpayer Monitoring
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