Ismanto Workers Shocked by Rp 2.8 Billion Tax Bill in Pekalongan; Tax Office Responds

JAKARTA, Aug. 8, 2025 – A 32-year-old sewing worker was stunned Wednesday when a tax officer delivered a bill for Rp 2.8 billion to his humble home in Pekalongan. Ismanto, a resident of Coprayan Village, Buaran District, expressed his shock, stating he’s “just a sewing worker” and has never engaged in large business transactions, particularly those involving significant cloth purchases.

Ismanto lives a simple life, his home accessible only by a narrow, one-meter-wide alleyway suitable for motorbikes only. He immediately objected to the tax bill, adamantly denying any involvement in cloth purchases, online loans, or other significant financial dealings that would warrant such a sum.

Did you know? – Indonesian tax authorities are increasingly focused on identifying and preventing tax fraud, particularly related to misuse of personal identification data. Reporting suspicious activity is crucial for both individuals and businesses.

He suspects his personal identity has been compromised and used fraudulently. “How come my house like this can be subject to billions of rupiah tax bills,” Ismanto questioned, noting the tax officer also appeared bewildered by the discrepancy.

To resolve the issue, Ismanto visited the tax office in Pekalongan. Ther,he was informed that his identity was likely used by another party for transactions. He hopes this incident serves as a warning and that his identity will no longer be misused.

Pro tip: – Regularly check your financial reports and credit history for any unauthorized transactions.Promptly report any discrepancies to relevant authorities and financial institutions.

The head of KPP Pratama Pekalongan, Subandi, confirmed that tax officers visited Ismanto on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, with an official letter. The visit was to clarify transaction data recorded in the tax management system. Subandi stated the large tax bill stemmed from reported transactions of textiles and other goods registered under Ismanto’s tax identification number.Following Ismanto’s visit and provision of supporting documentation proving his limited income, the tax office initiated an inquiry into the fraudulent activity.

As of Friday, August 8, 2025, KPP Pratama Pekalongan has temporarily suspended the tax bill pending the outcome of the investigation. Subandi assured Ismanto that if the investigation confirms his claims of identity theft, the bill will be rescinded and measures will be taken to prevent future misuse of his information. The tax office is collaborating with local police to identify the perpetrator responsible for the fraudulent transactions.

Reader question: – Have you or someone you know experienced similar issues with identity theft or fraudulent financial activity? What steps did you take to resolve the situation?