The Director General of the Income and Sales Tax Department, Hussam Abu Ali, revealed new details regarding recent government decisions to waive additional fines and interest, and to adjust installment terms—measures aimed at easing the burden on taxpayers and companies while upholding the rights of the public treasury and promoting tax fairness.
اضافة اعلان
Abu Ali stated that approximately 26,000 taxpayers, companies, and entities submitted applications to benefit from the settlement decision, which allowed taxpayers to apply for settlement up until December 31, 2024. He clarified that the department is not currently accepting new applications; instead, two specialized committees headed by judges from the Court of Cassation are meticulously reviewing each submitted application to issue appropriate recommendations.
He explained that the Cabinet approved financial exemptions for taxpayers who previously obtained settlement and installment decisions from the Settlement Committee. These exemptions cover the additional fines and interest accrued on income and sales tax installments, in accordance with current tax laws and with consideration for the difficult economic conditions faced by many sectors.
The decision also waives the 9% annual installment interest that was previously imposed on taxpayers opting to pay income or sales taxes in installments—provided they settle the remaining balance in one lump sum before the end of this year.
Abu Ali emphasized that the 9% rate is mandated by law, not a discretionary government action. Its purpose is to encourage immediate tax payment and prevent the misuse of deferred tax obligations as an alternative form of financing. The exemption serves as a direct economic incentive for taxpayers to comply voluntarily and close their tax files promptly without incurring extra financial burdens.
He stressed that the decision applies to all taxpayers—individuals and companies—who have received prior settlement and installment approvals, as long as they commit to full payment within the remaining months of the year. However, the exemptions do not cover other debts or financial obligations, such as municipal violations or dues to the Greater Amman Municipality or the Department of Lands and Survey. The scope is strictly limited to income and sales taxes.
Regarding the work of the Settlement Committee, Abu Ali explained that it includes a tax court judge as chair, a representative from the Tax Department, and a private sector representative. The committee assesses each case individually based on the taxpayer’s financial status and submits recommendations to the relevant minister, who then refers them to the Cabinet for final approval.
Some settlements, he noted, have been extended up to five years depending on the taxpayer’s financial capacity and economic situation.
The recent government decision, Abu Ali added, directly responded to repeated requests from the private sector. Many taxpayers expressed their willingness to pay off their obligations in full once settlement decisions were issued, but the 9% interest rate posed a major obstacle. In response, the government amended the mechanism to encourage timely payment without imposing additional burdens.
All procedures for taking advantage of this decision are entirely electronic and require no in-person visits. Taxpayers can simply access the Tax Department’s website and submit requests online. Once payment is completed, the 9% interest exemption is applied automatically.
Abu Ali urged all eligible taxpayers to seize the opportunity before the end of the year and benefit from the exemption, especially under the current economic circumstances that call for practical measures to sustain economic activity.
He concluded by emphasizing that this decision ensures fairness in tax enforcement and avoids discrimination between those who paid immediately and those who opted for installments. The government remains committed to offering well-considered facilities to anyone seeking to resolve their financial and tax situations in accordance with the law—while safeguarding public funds and supporting the continuity of national economic activity.
