Jakarta. The Directorate General of Taxes has prohibited taxpayers from recording or distributing online compliance interviews with tax officials under new operational guidelines aimed at strengthening tax administration.

The restriction is contained in a circular outlining procedures for monitoring taxpayer compliance. Under the directive, taxpayers and their representatives are not permitted to record or disseminate interview sessions conducted via video conference in any form, including audio, photographs or video.

The circular states that taxpayers, their representatives, authorized proxies, or employees who violate the rule may face sanctions under applicable laws and regulations.

It also says tax officials may terminate a virtual interview if a taxpayer refuses to comply with the prohibition.

The directorate did not explain the reason for introducing the restriction.

The new guidance comes as the government seeks to improve tax compliance while pursuing an ambitious 2026 tax revenue target of Rp 2,357.7 trillion ($131.5 billion).

As of the end of the first half of the year, tax collections had reached Rp 1,035.7 trillion, or 43.9% of the annual target, leaving roughly Rp 1,322 trillion still to be collected during the remainder of the year.

The Finance Ministry projects full-year tax revenue of Rp 2,310.8 trillion, or about 98% of the target.

The circular follows another recent directive that drew public criticism after it referred to the possible involvement of the Armed Forces and the National Police in supporting taxpayer compliance efforts.

Responding to those concerns on July 21, Director General of Taxes Bimo Wijayanto said the circular merely updated operational guidelines that have been in place since 2020.

"There is no need to exaggerate this in the media because the regulation has been in place since 2020," Bimo said, adding that the directive does not authorize military or police personnel to conduct tax audits or collect taxes.