ammonnews.net

Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of State for Media Affairs, Mohammad Momani, said the Jordanian economy is "resilient" and capable of facing the challenges and reforming the economic imbalances to reach the stage of self-reliance.

During his meeting with the staff of the Jordanian News Agency "Petra" on Thursday, the minister stressed the government's keenness to open a dialogue on the draft income tax law and hear all opinions on its effects on the economy, development and financial stability, as well as on the citizens.

Momani, who is also Government Spokesperson, stressed the importance of clarifying the law's provisions that boost protection to the middle class and take into consideration its living conditions.

Elaborating on the law's mechanism, the minister affirmed 90 percent of the citizens will not be affected by the new income tax, and added the family is exempted if the annual income of the husband and wife together does not exceed JD16 thousand (JD1333 per month).

As for the individual, he/she is exempt from the tax in case his/her annual income does not surpass JD8 thousand (666 dinars per month).

He said the objective of the draft tax law is to combat tax evasion as a crime that prevents the establishment of a "fair tax system," which provides the necessary revenues to improve the services provided to citizens and stimulate growth and development.

He pointed out that the level of services provided to citizens in various sectors exceeds that offered by many countries that live in similar conditions.

On relevant punitive measures, the launch of stiff penalties and the establishment of a department for financial investigations to deal with tax evasion, in addition to the law's electronic solutions, aim to link with various parties in the public and private sectors to obtain information related to the taxpayers, a step eyeing fair collection.

As for the cancellation of additional exemptions granted to the family estimated at JD4 thousands of hospitalization and education bills, Momani said the exemptions did not appear in the new law and are still discussed to ensure justice and equality for beneficiaries.

On the US embassy, he also reiterated Jordan's rejection of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem and the US's recognition of the holy city as the capital of Israel, which is a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the international legitimacy resolutions.

He reiterated Jordan's keenness to support the Palestinian people in "real and concrete ways".

He praised the great role of the Jordanian News Agency "Petra" in promoting the moderate discourse of the Jordanian state and the values of society, and commended its credibility in dealing with various national issues and its contributions to enlighten the public opinion.

At the end of the meeting, the Agency's Director General, Mohammed Al-Omari, stressed Petra's keenness to provide accurate information to the citizens and said today's meeting aims to maintain contact with decision- makers.