How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in Jordan

Jordan is an Arab country located in the Middle East, bordered by Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The capital city is Amman, the official language is Arabic, and the currency used is Jordanian dinar. The country has a high human development rate and an upper-middle-income economy. The majority of Jordan's income is generated from trade, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. If you are interested in opening a small business in Jordan, this article will provide you the necessary information.‍

Disclaimer: Be aware that this article is not a substitute for legal advice. Please always check official websites or seek legal advice before you take action.

Sole Proprietorship in Jordan

A sole proprietorship, also called Individual Establishment in Jordan, is a business run by one person, the owner. There is no legal distinction between the owner and the business, and the liability is not limited. This means that the owner is liable for all their debts and assets and can operate the business with all of their fortune. It is easy to run an individual establishment. The business is highly flexible and can adapt to the changing environment with ease, unlike big companies with complex structures and numerous personnel. The decision-making is rather easy since you are the only one operating it. This business form is the easiest and the cheapest one to establish. We have gathered the information required to register an individual establishment in Jordan.

Registration process

To register your business in Jordan, you have to visit the nearest Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply office, and the Central Registration Directorate. There, the trade registration officer will fill your application form electronically. You will need these documents:

• ID card (or passport for non-Jordanians)
• Approvals by concerned parties when the establishment has objectives that require prior consent
• A rent contract certified by the Greater Amman Municipality or another concerned municipality
• Ownership deed of the trade outlet in case the applicant owns the property
• Cash deposit worth JD 50,000 for non-Jordanians

You will receive an application form to obtain the consent of concerned agencies if such approval is required. Next, you should pay the registration fee to the ministry's treasurer and present the receipt to the trade registration officer. The registration fee is JD 5 if this is your first time registering a business. In other cases, the cost varies, depending on your capital. The head of the trade registration section will then check the application form and sign the certificate if everything is in order. This entire process will take 10-15 minutes.

Register a trading name

You can also register a trading name at the same place. However, having a trading name is not mandatory. The trading name registration fee is JD 20. 

Taxes in Jordan

Now that your individual establishment is officially registered, you are obliged to register as a taxpayer. You can do it online, via the Ministry of Finance website. The tax that you should pay is the income tax.

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