Amman, Jan. 27 (Petra) - The Health and Food Parliamentary Committee, headed by MP Ahmad Al-Sarahneh, on Tuesday held a meeting to discuss the tax imposed on private-sector doctors, in the presence of President of the Jordan Medical Association Issa Al-Khashashneh and Director General of the Income and Sales Tax Department Husam Abu Ali.
Al-Sarahneh said the meeting aims to reach outcomes that satisfy all parties and to agree on a balanced tax formula that achieves tax justice without harming medical staff or placing additional financial burdens on citizens.
He explained that the committee is keen to discuss all submitted remarks with transparency and responsibility, stressing rejection of any attempts at tax evasion and the need to protect public funds, in a manner that ensures the sustainability of the health sector and the quality of its services.
For their part, committee members MPs Hakam Alma`adat, Hayel Ayash, Ayman Abu Rub, Shaher Al-Shatnawi, Hussein Al-Tarawneh, Bakr Al-Hisa, and Mohammad Al-Mrayat called for addressing issues related to income tax.
Al-Khashashneh said that decisions issued by the Income and Sales Tax Department represent implementation of the law’s provisions and not personal decisions, stressing that everyone is subject to the applicable tax legislation.
Abu Ali reviewed the mechanism for calculating tax and expenses and the handling of free-of-charge procedures, stressing the need for doctors to submit an official letter specifying the names of beneficiaries of free operations, whether for humanitarian reasons or for family members or friends, to ensure transparency and accuracy of procedures.
He also announced the department’s readiness to provide support and clarification through holding awareness courses at the Medical Association's headquarters or via the "Zoom" application, in addition to allocating a hotline to answer tax-related inquiries. He pledged to expedite the review of tax decisions for previous years.
Abu Ali stressed that tax procedures take into account the particular nature of the medical profession and current economic conditions, noting that the aim of tax auditing is not to limit the humanitarian aspect of the profession, but rather to achieve justice, protect compliant taxpayers, and deter tax evasion.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee recommended forming a joint committee comprising the Medical Association and the Income and Sales Tax Department, with the aim of reaching consensual decisions that serve the public interest of both sides.
//Petra// AF
