19 August 2013

Child support allowance reduced

Bituach Leumi pays a monthly allowance to mothers (as a general rule) of children aged up to age 18. It is paid on the 20th of every month, and deposited directly into the mothers' bank account.

As part of the budget, drastic cuts have been made to the allowance, with the August payments approximately 40% lower of those made in July.

The new rates are as follows, with comparison of the previous rates:

1. Children born on 31 May 2003 or before:

Child #
Monthly allowance (NIS)
Previous allowance (NIS)
1st
140
175
2nd
140
263
3rd
172
295
4th
336
459
5th +
354
389


2. Children born on 1 June 2003 or later:

Child #
Monthly allowance (NIS)
Previous allowance (NIS)
1st
140
175
2nd
140
263
3rd
140
263
4th
140
263
5th +
140
175

If the above tables are a little confusing, the following link takes you to a simulator on the Bituach Leumi website to calculate your entitlement: http://www.btl.gov.il/benefits/children/Pages/Calculator.aspx (available in Hebrew only).

7 August 2013

Income tax rates going up

As part of the new budget, taxes are rising across the board.

We have already seen an increase in the VAT rate and property taxes are going up  as well. Now, income taxes on earned income (e.g. salary, pensions & self-employment income etc.) are joining the club - in addition to the increases that already came into effect for 2013.

The three lowest bands of tax are increasing by 1% each, the fourth band is going up by 1.4% and there is a 2% increase for the two highest bands.

A more subtle hit that has been announced is that the annual inflationary increases in the tax bands and the value of credit-points is being cancelled for 2014.

Corporations will see their income taxed at 26.5%, up from 25%.

Overall, the implication is that more people will be paying tax, and those already paying will see even less of their income in their pockets.

The following table summarises the tax bands and rates for both 2013 & 2014.
 
Amount (NIS yearly)
2013 tax rates
2014 tax rates
Up to 63,360
10%
11%
63,361 – 108,120
14%
15%
108,121 – 168,000
21%
22%
168,001 – 240,000
31%
32.4%
240,001 – 501,960
34%
36%
Thereafter
48%
50%
A single credit-point is worth NIS 2,616 per annum.

 
A number of other amendments were announced in the new law, most of which are beyond the scope of this blog (at this time).

However, one point to note is that the credit-points given on completion of academic studies (see here) will be cancelled for those finishing in 2016 and onwards. Those who complete their studies by the end of 2013 will be under the old rules. Those finishing in either 2014 or 2015 will get fewer points for fewer years; the exact configuration based on the type of study completed and the number of years spent studying.

4 August 2013

Beware of the new tax laws

Co-written with Simon Seitz, Adv.

Simon is an experienced real estate attorney Simon’s expertise in real estate is renowned and represents clients from all over the world purchasing property in Israel. Email Simon: Simon@seitzlaw.net


The recent approval of the Economics Arrangements Bill (i.e. the budget) has seen a number of significant changes to the taxation on the purchase and sale of land and property in Israel. The aim of this article is to summarise and make sense of these new tax laws which rather complicate matters when it comes to trying to purchase property or sell property. The information is based on our understanding of the amendments made to the law as well as advice and clarification given by the tax authority on their website.

 
 Purchase Tax

1. Non-Israelis purchasing a first property will be charged tax at a rate as if they already own property - UNLESS: Aliyah is made within 2 years of purchasing property or the non-Israeli produces certification from the  local authorities in their country of residence that they do not own property in that country (in our opinion, most foreign tax authorities will not be able or willing to produce such certification). In other words, the definition of a single apartment for non-Israelis is no longer considered to be within the territory of Israel but is GLOBAL.

2. Purchases over NIS 4,500,000 - will be charged an extra rate of tax. The tax rate will even reach 10% for the top slice of the most expensive properties.

3. The base rate of tax for non-residential properties is increased from 5% to 6%.

4. There are no changes for Olim Chadashim as far as purchase tax is concerned.

5. Gifts to children/parents remain unchanged.

6. Purchasing Groups - previously, purchasing groups were taxed based on the value of the plot of land at the time of purchase. The new tax reform will tax the group based on the value at the time when the building can be inhabited, i.e. upon receipt of form 4.



Capital Gains Tax

1. There is no longer an automatic exemption from taxation for non-residents.

2. Previously, an exemption from taxation on the sale of residential property was granted provided that no exemption for a previous similar sale was claimed in the four years prior to the sale in question. This exemption is being rescinded, with effect of 1 January 2014,  for anyone who owns two properties at the time of the sale. Seemingly this applies even if the house that is being sold has been the residence of the family.

3. From 1 January 2014 capital gains exemption will be granted only to one who has held a single property for at least 18 months.

4.  Where an exemption does apply, properties sold for at least NIS 4.5 million will be subject to capital gains tax on the value above NIS 4.5 million.

5. A property sold after 1 January 2014, whereby an exemption would have been granted under old rules, will be taxed from 1 January 2014 for the appreciation from that date until point of sale. This is calculated on a linear basis, and is not based on the value of property at that date. As in the past, certain expenses including lawyer's fees, realtor fees, and refurbishment expenses will be considered a tax deductable expense- so keep all receipts.

6. Transfers between first degree family members are exempt from capital gains tax only after a "cooling off" period has been served. This period has been extended to 3 years if the new owner resides in the property or 4 years if they did not. This is in addition to fulfilling the other conditions

7. Inheritance - there are no changes, i.e. If the deceased was entitled to an exemption in capital gains tax so too will be the beneficiaries.

 

In summary, the new tax laws which were passed by the Knesset obligate everyone to consult with an experienced real estate attorney or accountant in order to be able to reduce the affect of the new tax law as much as possible.

 


 


Legal Waiver: The above is meant for informational purposes alone and should not be relied upon. As with all transactions an experienced lawyer and/or accountant should be consulted prior to the signing of any documents.