Tax dep't introduces Gold List programme to incentivise companies to pay dues

AMMAN — The Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD) on Monday introduced the Gold List programme as a form of incentive for companies "committed to paying taxes".

Director General of the ISTD Hossam Abu Ali announced the new programme during a press conference that was attended by Minister of Finance Mohamad Al-Ississ and representatives from several companies.

“The Gold List is intended to recognise companies that are committed in their payment of taxes on time for a long period of time,” Abu Ali said.

The companies that earn a place on the Gold List will "benefit from many advanced services and quick tax returns", according to Abu Ali.

“We hope that all companies in Jordan will be on the Gold List rather than on our inspection list,” he added.

Abu Ali also touched on the most recent electronic services that have been introduced or are being developed to ease processes for citizens and entities.

“We decided to refer any disputed case to a specialised directorate to examine the protest lodged by a citizen or a company to ensure that the unit that examines the complaint is not the same one where the inspector works,” Abu Ali explained.

This step, the ISTD director noted, will minimise expenses for everyone, since the files will be examined by an independent unit rather than the courts.

Another step adopted by the ISTD, according to Abu Ali, has been to seize the property or financial assets of anyone who fails to pay their tax dues, with only the due value seized.

“In the past, the ISTD used to issue orders to seize all property and financial assets of individuals and entities that fail to pay the required taxes, but now we limited the legal action to the amount required,” he explained.

Also addressing the press conference, Al-Ississ said that he “does not like to pay taxes but does pay them because it is a national duty”.

“Tax collection methods must always be just and transparent for the sake of everyone and to encourage foreign investors to invest in Jordan,” Al-Ississ said.

At the end of the event, Al-Ississ distributed Gold List certificates to several companies with a "good record" at the tax department.