Jakarta, Thekabarnews.com—The Indonesian government is considering changing its plans to tax online sellers through digital marketplaces. This move comes as the economy starts to improve. The tax might begin in the second quarter of 2026.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that the Directorate General of Taxes had already decided that marketplaces would collect taxes on online sales. The Indonesian government, however, decided not to put it into action because the economy was unstable at the time.

“The Directorate General of Taxes has long prepared a plan to impose taxes on online transactions, but we postponed it because the economy was still under pressure at the time,” Purbaya said during a hearing with DPR Commission XI at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, April 6.

He also said that the government would review the policy in a few months. If the economy stays the same or gets better in the second quarter, the government may proceed with implementation.

“The economy is starting to get better now. We will think about using the marketplace tax if the second quarter stays positive,” he said.

The policy’s goal is to level the playing field for both online and offline businesses. People who sell things in traditional markets are worried about how powerful e-commerce sites are becoming. They say it is unfair to compete because of the differences in taxes.

Purbaya said that sellers in traditional markets had come to him with complaints. They asked the government to make online shopping more regulated.

“We will think about this matter cautiously. When we go to traditional markets, traders often ask us to make sure that online platforms obey the rules so that they can compete fairly. Moreover, we will look into this issue cautiously,” he said.

Regulation No. 37/2025 from the finance minister already lays out the legal framework for the policy. The rule says that marketplaces must collect Article 22 Income Tax (PPh 22) from online sellers at a rate of 0.5 percent.

Only sellers who make more than Rp500 million a year have to pay the tax. Sellers who are eligible must provide proof of their sales to the platforms where they do business.

The authorities have established the rules, but they have delayed their implementation. In September 2025, Purbaya announced the postponement of the policy due to people’s inability to afford it.

A month later, the director general of taxes, Bimo Wijayanto, said that the policy could start in February 2026. However, it has not happened yet.

The government’s cautious approach shows that it needs to find a way to make money. At the same time, it must also get the economy back on track. It is still crucial to make sure that the policy does not hurt small businesses or people’s ability to buy things.

As Indonesia’s digital sector grows, policymakers must carefully update tax policies. They should maintain stability and safeguard small businesses and consumer demand.

The government will probably keep looking at the policy over the coming months. The ultimate decision will probably be based on how the markets and economy are doing overall.

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