Jakarta Tax Service Department ranks sealed a Melati Hotel on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (12/2). The hotel was sealed due to its owner had debts totaling Rp 4.4 billion ground water tax (PAT) as well as land and building tax (PBB).

The sealing is a shock therapy to other unruly taxpayers

Such debt is not paid since 1933 ago, with details PAT (Rp 2.5 billion) and PBB (Rp 1.9 billion). "The sealing is a shock therapy to other unruly taxpayers," said Head of Gambir Sub-District Regional Tax Service Unit (UPPD), Yati Rochayati.

Rochayati explained before sealing at Melati Hotel, his party had sent warning letter twice to the hotel owner. In Gambir Sub-District, there are 24,460 taxpayers divided into four clasifications, such as PBB 21,366 people, ad tax 2,615 people, PAT 40 people and vehicle-ownership transfer fees (BPHTB) 429 people.

Of the 24,460 taxpayers, there are hundreds taxpayers have yet to pay off the taxes. They are PBB with 181 people, ad tax 164 people, and PAT 27 people.

Noval (36), one of Melati Hotel security officers explained that there is currently a process of replacement of hotel ownership. According to him, the new owner objected to paying tax that is quite high.

"This year, the hotel tax is amounting to Rp 326 million. Thus the new owner objected to pay off it, moreover hotel has not operated fully or still being renovated," he expressed.