This article provides an overview of the tax benefits Israel provides returning residents, Olim and companies they control. The article will detail who Skywaters Residences is entitled to benefits and what those benefits are. Finally the article will review the main issues that often arise during the planning stage prior to moving to Israel.
In 2008 the Knesset approved Amendment 168 to the Income tax Ordinance, which provided significant tax benefits to new immigrants and returning residents who moved to Israel after January 1, 2007.
There are three types of people eligible for tax benefits: “new immigrants”, “veteran returning residents” and “returning residents”.
“New immigrant” is one who was never a resident of Israel and became a resident of Israel for the first time.
“Veteran returning resident” is a person who was a resident of Israel, then left and was a foreign resident for at least 10 consecutive years and then returned to be a resident of Israel. However, a person returning to Israel between January 2007 and December 31 2009 will be considered a veteran returning resident if that person was abroad for a period of at least five years.
“Returning resident” is a person who returned to Israel and became an Israeli resident after being a foreign resident at least six consecutive years. However, residents that left Israel prior to January 1 2009 will be considered as returning residents entitled to the tax benefits even if they were foreign residents for only three consecutive years.
What are the benefits?
According to Amendment 168 new immigrants and veteran returning residents are entitled to broad tax exemptions for a period of ten years from the day they become Israeli residents. The exemptions apply to all income which originates from outside of Israel. The exemptions apply to passive income (dividends, interest, and capital gains tax) and active income (employment, business profits, services).
A person meeting the definition of “returning resident” is entitled to fewer benefits. The benefits are tax exemptions for five years on passive income produced abroad or originating from assets outside Israel. The main exemptions are:
• Exemption for five years on passive income from property acquired while a foreign resident. Passive income includes things like royalties, rents, interest and dividends.
• Exemption for 10 years on capital gains from the sale of property which was purchased while the person was a foreign resident.
What is the definition of “foreign resident” and do visits to Israel during the period of foreign residency jeopardize the benefits?