Amman: Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan has directed the complete disbursement of income tax refunds for the years 2020-2022, in addition to 50% of the refunds for 2023. On Wednesday, Hassan instructed the formulation of a plan to expedite the disbursement of remaining and delayed refunds within this year, recognizing its significant impact on Jordanians and the national economy.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Finance to allocate JOD26 million to the Income and Sales Tax Department to address the accumulated refunds from previous years and to process payments as they become available. This directive was issued during his visit to the Ministry of Finance, where he met with Finance Minister Abdul Hakim Shabli and the directors-general of various departments, including the Income and Sales Tax, Lands and Survey, Customs, and the Acting Secretary-General of the Ministry.
Hassan emphasized the importance of completing the national electronic billing system in all its phases to ensure tax fairness and streamline processes for individuals and businesses. He discussed the enhancement of services for Jordanians and investors by facilitating and expediting transactions through a rapid response mechanism.
The Prime Minister highlighted the urgency of advancing the automation and digitization of services and data archiving to support informed decision-making. In regards to the Customs Department, he stressed the need for expedited procedures in line with best international practices. This includes the swift completion of a new customs system designed to act as an electronic hub for all customs services, ensuring immediate data completion upon arrival.
Hassan called for a review of legislation governing the Department of Lands and Survey, improvements in service delivery, and the expansion of service offerings in government service centers. He underscored the necessity of fully automating these services by the end of 2025.
Regarding capital projects in the national budget, Hassan stressed the importance of accelerating and continuing spending on these initiatives, ensuring their timely completion, whether approved by the government or provincial councils. During his visit, he was briefed by the general managers of various departments on their progress, ongoing plans, and targeted projects.