Tax Incentive Policy for National Economic Recovery in the Tourism Industry Sector in Indonesia

Abstract : The national economy dynamics are influenced by various factors, including the global pandemic such as Covid-19. Indonesian tourism industry sector as the third largest source of foreign exchange (after the oil and gas sector, and palm oil exports) experienced a very significant decline as a result of the pandemic. The government, through relevant ministries, created various policies and took concrete steps to save the Indonesian tourism sector. Using socio-legal methods, this study aims to explain the urgency of tax incentive policies and their implementation for the economic recovery of the tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of the study are: 1) The urgency of tax incentive policies is for the economic recovery of the tourism industry sector considering that the tourism sector is a pillar industry in Indonesia that has great value and benefits for local and global economic development; and 2) The implementation of tax incentives for the economic recovery of the tourism sector is the implementation of fiscal stimulus policies in the form of tourism grants and tax incentives for the tourism sector. Fiscal stimulus policies I to III are mitigation and anticipatory measures by the Government which are expected to be able to support the national economic recovery due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a recommendation, the researcher considers the need for: 1) transparent and accountable accountability for the implementation of tax incentives for national economic recovery; 2) supervision by independent institutions and community initiatives regarding accountability for the implementation of tax incentive policies; and 3) evaluation of the implementation of tax incentive policies for more optimal disaster mitigation and anticipation.