UNAIR NEWS – Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s recent remark that taxes are as noble as zakat and waqf has stirred public debate. Some praised the statement as a reminder of taxation’s role in national development, while others warned it could cause confusion, particularly among religious communities.

Theological perspective

Dr. Irham Zaki, S.Ag., M.EI., a lecturer in Islamic Economics Universitas Airlangga’s Faculty of Economics and Business, stressed the need to distinguish between obligations to faith and obligations to the state. While zakat and taxes both serve social purposes, he noted, they are fundamentally different.

“We must understand that some duties stem from religion and others from government. As good citizens, both must be fulfilled—but that does not mean they share the same status,” he said.

Zaki added that calling them equally noble in the context of social empowerment is reasonable. Yet, framing them as entirely the same, he argued, is less thoughtful. “Care must be taken in making such claims. Muslims believe religious duties bring inherent benefit. If zakat were managed more systematically and overseen by the state, its impact could be even greater,” he concluded.

Fiscal perspective

Despite these distinctions, Zaki acknowledged that zakat could serve as part of the state’s fiscal tools. With strong regulation, he said, zakat could bolster public finances while reducing inequality. Still, he highlighted flaws in the current system: zakat only reduces taxable income, not the tax bill itself.

“For example, if annual income is IDR 200 million and zakat paid is IDR 20 million, taxable income drops to IDR 180 million. The tax burden remains high, so zakat doesn’t truly ease the load,” he explained.

A fairer approach, he argued, would allow zakat to directly reduce income tax owed. “If the tax due is IDR 30 million and zakat already paid is IDR 20 million, then only IDR 10 million in tax should remain. That would make a more meaningful difference,” he said.

Policy implications

Zaki noted that incorporating zakat into the tax system would require a stronger legal framework. Revising the Zakat Law, for example, could include sanctions for zakat payers, ensuring legal certainty not just for administrators but also for contributors. “If zakat is treated as a fiscal instrument, the state must take a stronger role in its oversight and use,” he said.

Author: Rosali Elvira Nurdiansyarani

Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia