Unions disapprove of proposed income tax changes, Momani responds

Jordan

Published: 2017-09-07 16:41

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 00:26


The proposal to change the income tax law was circulated a few days ago.
The proposal to change the income tax law was circulated a few days ago.

The Council of Union Presidents expressed its disapproval of the proposed changes to the income tax, which lowers the tax exemption ceiling.

Majid Tabba’, head of the Council, demanded the government to drop the proposed changes in light of what he described as the “difficult financial situation Jordanians are living.”

Tabba’ said that the council asked to meet King Abdullah to review the living situations for Jordanians, bearing in mind that workers represented by unions and their families make up a quarter of Jordan’s population, and the vast majority of the middle class the proposed changes target.

He added that the Council had asked to review the draft law with the Head of the Income and Sales Tax last month, but were refused on account of it being “too late to make such a request.”

The Council stressed that any changes to the income tax law must cater to the financial situation of Jordanians, or else it would serve to make it more difficult for citizens.

The Council asked the Parliament not to approve of these changes.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Media Affairs, Mohammad Al Momani said that the proposed changes to the law will take into consideration the middle and financially challenged classes.

The changes to the law won’t affect individuals and families exempt from income taxes, said the Minister on Jordan TV.

He confirmed that the proposal was not discussed by the Cabinet, and neither have the government and Ministerial Committees.

“We’re adamant about reforming the economy with great care so as to enable and improve the financial situation of the middle and lower classes,” said Momani.