PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Bekasi Regency Government is targeting regional tax revenue of Rp3.8 trillion in 2026 through optimizing tax potential and digitizing payment services to maintain development financing and public services for the community amidst regional fiscal challenges.

Head of Regional Revenue Control and Evaluation Division of Bekasi Regency Regional Revenue Agency, Puji Nugraha, said that by the end of May 2026, regional tax realization had reached IDR 1.2 trillion or 31.83 percent of the IDR 3.8 trillion target (June 4, 2026).

Puji stated that these achievements will continue to be improved by accelerating regional revenue management so that the first semester target can be achieved as planned.

According to him, optimizing regional revenue is a crucial step to maintain the sustainability of development and public services when financial transfers from the central government are adjusted.

"Regional governments must increasingly optimize their revenue potential to support development and public services," Puji said.

The Bekasi Regency Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) has also mapped a number of sectors that have significant potential to increase regional revenue, one of which is the food and beverage sector.

Bekasi Regency has around 7,600 companies spread across 11 industrial areas, thus opening up potential tax revenue from catering services that serve the needs of companies.

Puji explained that some companies still use catering services from outside the region, so the potential tax revenue has not yet fully reached Bekasi Regency.

Therefore, Bapenda continues to collect data, provide guidance, and provide outreach to business actors so that tax potential can be recorded and provide a greater contribution to regional income.

"We continue to identify and collect data so that existing tax potential can be properly recorded and contribute to regional revenue," he said.

In addition to exploring new potential, Bapenda also increases public education regarding the benefits of taxes for regional development.

Puji said that the taxes paid by the community will be returned in the form of building roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, and various other public services.

To make things easier for the public, the Bekasi Regency Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) continues to expand its digital tax payment services, offering quick and easy access.

Currently, tax payments can be made through QRIS, virtual accounts, marketplaces, and modern retail outlets, making the payment process more practical, transparent, and efficient for taxpayers.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)