438 Cargo Vehicles Benefit from 40% Tax Discount, Generating Rp1.9 Billion in Regional Revenue

Pekanbaru — A total of 438 cargo vehicles in Riau Province have taken advantage of a 40% discount on their motor vehicle tax principal, generating Rp1.92 billion (approximately US$115,000) in regional revenue, according to the provincial government.

Riau Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) Head Ninno Wastikasari said the total Regional Original Revenue (PAD) collected from the vehicles amounted to Rp1,922,156,598. This comprised Rp1,157,925,728 in motor vehicle tax (PKB) payments and Rp764,230,870 in additional tax levies, known as PKB opsen.

“The 40% discount program for the principal tax on cargo vehicles has generated Rp1,922,156,598 in regional revenue. The amount comes from 438 vehicles,” she said.

To qualify for the incentive, businesses must prepare the vehicle registration certificate (STNK), an application letter and a Business Identification Number (NIB). Applications must be submitted to a local vehicle registration and tax service office (Samsat) no later than Dec. 15, 2026.

Wastikasari said the tax relief program does not apply to vehicles undergoing their initial registration or those being transferred out of Riau Province. She urged applicants to check their documents and ensure they meet all requirements before visiting a Samsat office.

The 40% reduction applies exclusively to cargo vehicles and will remain available until Dec. 31, 2026.

According to Bapenda data, 248,715 cargo vehicles in Riau still have outstanding tax payments. Of these, 591 vehicles have registered for the program and passed verification. A total of 438 have completed payment, while 153 have yet to pay.

To make tax payments more convenient, residents in several areas can use alternative services instead of visiting a Samsat office. These include mobile Samsat services, Samsat Tanjak outlets and drive-through facilities.

Each service has a different approach. Mobile Samsat units visit strategic locations to reach residents, while Samsat Tanjak operates service counters at familiar and accessible public locations, including the area in front of the Purna MTQ complex in Pekanbaru. Samsat Drive Thru, meanwhile, is designed to speed up transactions and allow motorists to pay their taxes without leaving their vehicles.

Drive-through services are now available in several locations across Riau. In Pekanbaru, two facilities operate along Jalan Sudirman, in the courtyard of the Riau Bapenda office, and on Jalan Gajahmada. The Jalan Sudirman facility accepts cash payments, while the Jalan Gajahmada outlet uses the QRIS digital payment system.

“The Samsat Drive Thru facility on Jalan Gajahmada is recorded as the first Samsat innovation in Indonesia to use QRIS,” Wastikasari said.

Outside Pekanbaru, drive-through services also operate in Ujung Tanjung, Rokan Hilir; Pangkalan Kerinci, Pelalawan; Tembilahan, Indragiri Hilir; and Dumai City.