Fact Check: Indonesia Not Taxing Mobile Phones and TVs in 2027

A wave of misinformation is circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, alleging that Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, will impose a tax on mobile phone and television usage beginning in 2027. The false narrative is accompanied by a photo of the minister speaking at an event, with text claiming he warned of the impending tax.

However, Tempo's investigation has confirmed that these claims are entirely false. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, through its official social media channels, has explicitly stated that the content circulating under Bahlil's name is untrue. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance has also refuted the allegations.

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This narrative is a hoax.

Deni Surjantoro, Head of the Communications and Information Services Bureau at the Ministry of Finance, stated unequivocally that there are no plans to implement such a tax, labeling the narrative a "hoax." Inge Diana Rismawanti, Director of Counseling, Services, and Public Relations at the Directorate General of Taxes, corroborated this, confirming that the news regarding a new tax on mobile phone and television usage is false.

It is important to note that Value Added Tax (VAT) is already levied on the purchase of mobile phones and televisions in Indonesia. According to Law Number 7 of 2021, the general VAT rate is set at 12 percent starting January 1, 2025. Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 131 of 2024 further clarifies that for non-luxury goods, the effective VAT rate remains at 11 percent. This means consumers already pay an 11 percent VAT when buying these devices, and no new tax is planned for 2027.

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Purchases of smartphones and smart TVs are subject to VAT at a rate of 11 percent. There is no difference in tax treatment for certain types of cellphones and TVs.