Bali Tax Offices Give Cash Award to Top Taxpayers

(5/24/2008)

Bali tax officials say that the Island's improving tourism fortunes are reflected in the increasing tax revenues being paid to the province by the hotel and restaurant sectors.

According to the Bali Post, for the period of January-April 2008 tax revenues paid by hotels increased 56.22% and restaurants by 54.17% when compared to the same period in 2007. These figures were revealed in a written address by Denpasar's Vice-Mayor, A.A. Puspayoga at a ceremony held to honor diligent tax payers at the Hotel Sanur Paradise Plaza on Friday, May 23, 2008.

The Head of the Denpasar tax revenue department, Drs. I.B. Subrata, said the "good taxpayer awards" are designed to act as incentives to all taxpayers. Awards are presented to various companies based on their diligent application of tax rules, timely filing and paying of tax obligations, and compliance with company registration/licensing regulations. In this year's evaluation fire safety and environmental stewardship were also considered by the selection committee.

Awards were granted in three categories: Starred hotels, "Melati" (unstarred) hotels, and restaurants.

The Bali Hyatt received the highest score within the starred hotel category and was awarded a Rp. 15 million (US$1,603) cash prize by the tax office. Coming in second and third in the starred hotel division were, respectively, the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel and the Santrian Resort. The second place winner received a cash award of Rp 14 million (US$1,522) while the third place hotel earned Rp. 13 million (US$1,413).

The non-starred hotel category top award was won by Emerald Villas who got Rp. 8.5 million (US$924), followed by Palm Garden who were paid Rp. 7 million (US$761) and Shanti Village who won Rp. 6 million (US$652).

Heading the restaurant category was the Cianjur Restaurant who won Rp. 8.5 million (US$924), followed by MacDonald's who won Rp. 7 million (US$761) and Kentucky Fried Chicken who were awarded Rp. 6 million (US$652).