THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF TAX AWARENESS INFORMATION

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF TAX AWARENESS INFORMATION

What is Social Media?

It is evident that social media has gained immense popularity across all demographics, including younger individuals and parents. The convenience of internet-based mobile phones has made it possible for users to access social media platforms from any location, making it a highly practical tool. These mobile phones provide users with convenient access to the most up-to-date and pertinent information. Furthermore, these devices provide an efficient means of expressing and communicating our thoughts and messages to the general public. It is therefore unsurprising that social media is a highly popular and diverse phenomenon, particularly among the millennial generation. One of the key functions of social media is to disseminate information to a wider audience. The social media platforms that are most frequently utilized are Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and others. Social media provides a convenient platform for users to engage in collaborative activities, exchange information, and foster connections. It offers a valuable opportunity to improve the quality of friendships, particularly in terms of nurturing care and empathy for friends in our digital networks.

The reason why social media is chosen as a medium information dissemination

It is a fact that the majority of the general public access social media accounts on a daily basis via their smartphones. It is therefore unlikely that people do not open social media accounts, whether for the purpose of sharing activities or providing information. This is because people today are very dependent on social media. The rapid dissemination of information via social media ensures that all audiences or circles of society are reached in an instant or a matter of seconds.

One of the key benefits of social media in the digital world is the freedom it offers to disseminate information in a general, cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the production of information and news is no longer the exclusive domain of major news publishers. In the current climate, it is possible for any individual to become a news-maker and have an impact on a large number of people. Similarly, the consumption of information is freely available to all via digital media. Social media can be utilized to enhance brand awareness. One method of increasing brand awareness is to create a social media account and post content that is relevant and interesting to the target audience. This will enable us to attract the attention of a large number of people. Furthermore, social media can facilitate the formation of connections with individuals in our personal and professional networks.

Is social media effective in increasing public awareness of taxes?

Social media can be an effective tool for disseminating important information to the community, including that related to taxation. Prior to the existence of social media, the sources of information available to the public regarding taxation were still very limited. This resulted in many individuals being unfamiliar with tax knowledge and demonstrating a lack of interest in fulfilling their tax obligations. Furthermore, prior to the implementation of online reporting, individuals were hesitant to fulfill their tax obligations and lacked the motivation to seek guidance at their local or registered tax office.

The government and taxpayers are both beneficiaries of social media. The government will be able to provide taxpayers with the socialization and information sharing related to taxation that they require. A government survey has identified social media as a strategic communication tool with the potential to attract public attention and enhance the delivery of public services. This demonstrates that social media owned by an agency has a significant impact on the rollout of the agency’s public services. One example is the ability of individuals to inquire directly through the official Twitter account of the  Directorate General of Taxation about the procedure for making efin. In addition to Twitter, Directorate General of Taxation typically uses Instagram to disseminate the latest information related to tax regulations and other current developments in tax policy.

IBU Consulting is a tax consultancy firm that is officially registered in the Directorate General of Taxation and maintains a strong social media presence. It is worth noting that tax plays a significant role in Indonesia’s state treasury revenue. IBU Consulting is engaged in the distribution of comprehensive tax education to the public. Social media represents one of the channels through which IBU Consulting provides tax education. We utilize this platform to disseminate information in an engaging format, facilitating direct interaction with the public through the submission of questions.

IBU Consulting employs social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, as active tools for tax education. It is important to recognize that each social media platform has its own characteristics and reach. Therefore, it is essential to have the flexibility to adapt to the specific features of each platform. IBU Consulting disseminates information related to taxation via Instagram and Facebook, utilizing visual content and engaging videos to convey information in an accessible manner.  One strategy for creating content on social media is to ensure that the content is written in a language that is easily understandable. It is often the case that a lack of literacy in society leads to a reluctance to read. Consequently, we endeavour to create content in languages that are readily comprehensible to the general public. This is designed to cater to individuals who may experience difficulty reading or understanding the entirety of social media content. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the content is both engaging and informative, in order to capture the attention of social media users and foster client trust. The existence of social media provides the public and taxpayers with the ability to access accurate and timely information, which is essential for fulfilling their tax obligations. It is anticipated that individuals who were previously unaware of tax-related matters will demonstrate a greater level of literacy and understanding in this area. Similarly, for individuals designated as taxpayers, it is anticipated that social media will enhance awareness of taxation. By following Directorate General of Taxation’s social media accounts and those of IBU Consulting (accessible via Instagram and Facebook), taxpayers can ensure they remain up to date with the latest developments. It is therefore crucial to provide tax education for Generation Z. The objective is to cultivate a generation of tax-savvy individuals to bolster the Golden Indonesia 2045 initiative, which anticipates a significant proportion of Indonesia’s population to be of productive age. It is our collective responsibility as the next generation of the nation to continue the noble ideals of becoming a developed nation that can compete with other developed countries.