Financial and Tax Planning Strategy to Optimize the Financial Performance of PT Kaltim Daya Mandiri

PT Kaltim Daya Mandiri is a utility provider company located in Bontang, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, currently planning to invest in a new project investment by constructing a nitrogen plant in Bontang and a utility center plant in West Papua to support the business expansion of PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur in the eastern region of Indonesia. To execute the project, the company must ensure the adequacy of cash flow to support the existing operational and project activities needs; therefore, it requires cash flow management and the right financing strategy to ensure the company’s financial performance remains stable. In this study, the analytical method used to generate a strategic formulation to optimize financial performance during projects is using quantitative and qualitative analysis. The strategic formulation comprises a financial strategy, specifically the option of project financing and a tax planning strategy related to tax refund and tax exemption. From the exploration of several strategies, there are two options for a combination of strategies, namely Scheme 1: Tax planning strategies and financial strategies through utilizing banking products (investment loan and short-term loan) and Scheme 2: Tax planning strategies and financial strategies through utilizing debt securities (corporate bonds and medium-term note). The simulation shows that in terms of the efficiency aspect towards interest cost imposed during the period, impact on the company’s cash flow during the project development period, and the proforma of financial performance, Scheme 1 is more favorable compared to Scheme 2. Using Scheme 1, the bank loan’s interest will be imposed on the cash flow statement and profit and loss statement after the project is declared commercial. During the project construction, the company will only be exposed to an interest construction, which will be an additional loan balance after the project commercial. In addition, instalment payments (principal and interest portion) have an impact on reducing the loan balance, and the future interest expense will decrease. Whereas, by using Scheme 2, the company will be directly burdened by interest coupons that need to be paid quarterly and constantly, which can affect cash flow and profit and loss statements directly.