Israel: Business Environment
Business losses can offset income from any source within the same tax year. However, loss carrybacks aren't permitted. These losses can be carried forward indefinitely and used to offset income from the same trade or business or capital gains within the business, but not against income from other sources.
Payments of interest, royalties, and management fees to foreign affiliates are deductible (conditions apply).
Tax and cash incentives are provided for companies that qualify for the "Preferred Enterprise (PFE) regime", generally those who contribute to the development of the productive capacity of the economy, absorption of immigrants, creation of employment opportunities, or improvement in the balance of payments. The "Special Preferred Enterprise (SPFE) regime" applies to certain large corporations that can demonstrate their great contribution to the Israeli economy. Another regime is that of "Preferred Technology Enterprise", for companies engaged in the technology sector and that are part of a group of companies with aggregate annual revenues less than ILS 10 billion, among other conditions.
Social security contributions paid by the employer for Israeli-resident employees are 3.55%, up to a monthly income of ILS 7,522 and 7.6% on the difference between ILS 7,522 and the maximum monthly income of ILS 49,030. For non-resident employees, lower rates apply: 0.59% up to a monthly income of ILS 7,522 and 2.65% on the difference between ILS 7,522 and the maximum monthly income of ILS 49,030.
Non-profit organizations are subject to a tax of 7.5% of payroll in lieu of VAT. A similar tax is levied on financial institutions, at a rate of 17% (scheduled to be increased to 18% effective January 1, 2025).
Israel | Middle East & North Africa | United States | Germany | |
Number of Payments of Taxes per Year | 6.0 | 20.8 | 10.6 | 9.0 |
Time Taken For Administrative Formalities (Hours) | 234.0 | 204.0 | 175.0 | 218.0 |
Total Share of Taxes (% of Profit) | 25.3 | 32.1 | 36.6 | 48.8 |
Source: Doing Business, Latest available data.
Personal income tax rates | Progressive rates from 10% to a maximum of 50% with tax credit points to reduce payable taxes. |
ILS 1 to 84,120 | 10% |
ILS 84,120 to 120,720 | 14% |
ILS 120,720 to 193,800 | 20% |
ILS 193,800 to 269,280 | 31% |
ILS 269,280 to 560,280 | 35% |
ILS 560,280 to 721,560 | 47% |
Over ILS 721,560 | 50% (including the 3% surtax) |
Annual tax for passive income (i.e. business rentals) | 31% to 47% |
From ILS 1 to 269,280 | 31% |
From ILS 269,280 to 560,280 | 35% |
Above ILS 560,280 | 47% |
New Israeli residents and senior returning residents qualify for a tax exemption on specific types of foreign-source income for ten years from their immigration or return to Israel. The exemption period for interest income on foreign currency deposits may be extended for up to an additional ten years, subject to meeting certain investment criteria. Returning residents, excluding senior returning residents, are eligible for a tax exemption on certain types of foreign-source income (excluding business income) for five years from their immigration or return to Israel.
Interest: Corporate income tax, currently at 23%, is withheld from interest payments to both resident and nonresident "bodies of persons." The rate for nonresident interest may be lowered under a relevant tax treaty. For resident individuals, withholding tax rates vary: 20% on interest from provident funds (15% if derived from pre-8 May 2000 deposits), 25% on bank interest (15% if not index-linked), 35% on debentures or pre-8 May 2000 government bonds held by recipients with less than 10% shares in the payer, and 47% if the recipient has at least 10% control over the payer, is its employee, or provides services or products to it. Other individual interest is subject to a 25% withholding tax (15% if not index-linked). The ITA can issue exemption or reduced withholding certificates for interest paid to resident entities and individuals. Nonresident individual interest is taxed at 25% but can be reduced under a tax treaty, while certain public bond interest paid to nonresidents may be exempt from withholding tax.
Royalties: payments made to resident entities and individuals are subject to withholding tax at 20% where the recipient can demonstrate that it maintains books of account and has filed the necessary returns; otherwise, the rate is 30%. The ITA may issue an exemption certificate or a reduced withholding certificate allowing royalties to be paid to resident companies and individuals without the deduction of withholding tax or subject to a reduced withholding tax rate. Royalty payments to nonresident entities and individuals are subject to withholding tax at 23% and 25%, respectively. The rate may be reduced under an applicable tax treaty.
Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.
© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: July 2024