Do You Actually Need to File?
This is educational content, not tax advice. The rules on who must file change regularly. Consult a licensed Israeli tax accountant (ro'eh cheshbon) to confirm your personal obligations.
The דוח שנתי (Doch Shenati) (annual tax return) is not required for every Israeli taxpayer. Unlike the US, where most citizens file annually regardless of circumstance, Israel has a narrower mandatory filing population. Many employed Israelis never file a return — their employer withholds the correct amount through the year and that is the end of it.
However, you are generally required to file a מס הכנסה (Mas Hachnasa) (income tax) return in Israel if any of the following apply:
- Your total annual income exceeds approximately 650,000 NIS (threshold updated annually)
- You are self-employed (osek patur, osek murshe, or company director)
- You have income from abroad — including during the 10-year exemption period, if you made aliyah after January 1, 2026 (the 2026 reform introduced reporting obligations for new olim even on exempt foreign income)
- You have rental income in Israel above 5,196 NIS/month (2026 threshold)
- You had capital gains from selling securities or real estate during the year
- You work for multiple employers simultaneously
- You wish to claim a tax refund for overpayments (for example, if your employer applied fewer credit points than you were entitled to)
For many olim, especially those with foreign income or self-employment, filing is mandatory. Even when not mandatory, filing is sometimes worthwhile to claim a השבת מס (Hashavat Mas) (tax refund) if too much was withheld during the year.
The Tax Year and Filing Deadline
Israel uses the calendar year for taxation: January 1 to December 31. Returns are filed the following year. The standard deadline for filing a paper return is April 30. The online filing deadline is typically May 31.
If you file through a licensed accountant (ro'eh cheshbon), you benefit from an extended deadline — typically until November or even the following year — under a collective extension arrangement that accountants receive from the tax authority. This is one of the practical advantages of using a professional: it significantly reduces deadline pressure.
For most new olim, the first return covers the year of aliyah (or the first full year as a resident). Your accountant will typically handle this in the April-November window of the following year.
How to File Online: Shaam
The Israel Tax Authority operates the online tax portal at shaam.taxes.gov.il. Filing an annual return online is possible if you have access to an Israeli digital identity (Zehut Digitali or eID) and the relevant documents. The portal is in Hebrew, but the process — once you understand the structure — is manageable.
Steps for online filing:
- Log in at shaam.taxes.gov.il using your Israeli ID number and digital certificate or eID authentication.
- Select "הגשת דוח שנתי" (Submit Annual Return) and choose the relevant tax year.
- The system pre-populates income data reported by your employer and banks under the nikui bamakor system — verify these figures against your payslips and bank statements.
- Add any income not already shown: foreign income (if required), rental income, capital gains, or freelance income.
- Declare your oleh status and aliyah date to ensure your credit points and exemption entitlements are correctly applied.
- Review the calculated tax liability or refund and submit.
If a refund is due, the tax authority typically processes it within 60–90 days of filing. Refunds are paid directly to your Israeli bank account.
What Documents You Need
Before filing, gather the following:
- Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID) — your file number with the tax authority
- Teudat Oleh — to confirm aliyah date and oleh status
- Annual payslip summary (Tekufat Mas) — your employer provides this by February for the prior year, summarising total gross pay and total tax withheld
- Bank statements and interest certificates — Israeli banks provide an annual summary (Ishur Mas) showing interest earned and tax withheld
- Foreign income documentation — brokerage statements, rental income records, pension statements, as applicable
- Capital gains reports — from your Israeli or foreign brokerage if you sold securities
- Receipts for deductible expenses — if you have qualifying deductions such as recognised charitable donations (over 180 NIS to approved institutions)
Filing for the First Time: A Practical Note
Your first Doch Shenati as an oleh will cover a partial year — from your aliyah date to December 31. The tax authority needs your aliyah date to correctly apportion your income, exemptions, and credit points for the months you were actually resident. Bring your Teudat Oleh to your accountant or have the date ready when filing online.
Most olim who have any foreign income or self-employment choose to file through a bilingual accountant for at least the first two or three years, until they understand the Israeli system well enough to manage it independently. We cover how to find the right accountant in the next article.