IntroductionThe integration of zakat and taxation has become an important issue in Indonesia’s Islamic economic governance and national fiscal reform. Zakat functions as a religious obligation for wealth redistribution, while taxation serves as a state obligation for financing public goods and national development. Although both instruments support social justice, their relationship remains contested because they differ in legal basis, spiritual meaning, calculation method, and allocation mechanism.ObjectivesThis study analyzes how zakat and taxation can be synergized through Indonesia’s CoreTax system without equating their normative foundations. It aims to develop a conceptual framework for digital zakat–tax integration that preserves Islamic economic principles while supporting national interests, fiscal transparency, public trust, and social welfare.MethodThis study uses a qualitative documentary and conceptual analysis. The data consist of academic literature, Indonesian legal and policy materials, published data on zakat potential and realization, and studies on digital governance, Islamic public finance, zakat management, and tax administration reform. The analysis is guided by maqasid al-shariah, maslahah, Islamic fiscal justice, digital governance, and socio-technical systems perspectives.ResultsThe findings show that zakat and taxation should be treated as distinct but administratively complementary instruments. Indonesia has substantial zakat potential, yet formal collection remains far below estimated capacity due to fragmented governance, limited interoperability, and uneven public trust. CoreTax may serve as a digital administrative bridge by enabling verified zakat payment records, simplifying tax deduction claims, and improving coordination between tax authorities and zakat institutions. However, successful integration requires legal clarity, institutional coordination, Shariah supervision, secure data exchange, cybersecurity safeguards, and inclusive digital access.ImplicationsThis study suggests that digital zakat–tax integration should be designed as a governance reform rather than a purely technological solution. Policymakers should avoid framing zakat as tax and instead emphasize administrative recognition, transparency, and accountability.Originality/NoveltyThis study contributes by conceptualizing CoreTax-based zakat–tax integration as a socio-technical Islamic public finance model that connects religious legitimacy, digital governance, and national fiscal modernization.