Maanak Avodah 2025 - Reminder to Apply!

It's time for your yearly reminder to check if you might be able to claim this benefit! Maybe you've heard about this already, and maybe this is new information for you. There is a reverse-tax benefit in Israel for low-income families. It's called the "Maanak Avodah" or "Work Grant". The point of this grant is to put more money in your pocket if you earn less than a certain amount of money!

Please don't miss out on this if you qualify - apply as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment later. It won't take much of your time to apply, and you can do it now, BEFORE YOU FORGET! Right now, you can may still be able to apply for the 2024 grant as well!
  
Updated information for the 2024 grant: 
Who can apply for this grant?

You can apply for this grant if: 

1. You were employed or self-employed
 
2. You were 21 years of age or older, and have minor children*, or 55 years of age or above, even if you have no minor children
 
3. You did not own more than 50% of a property or rights to a property (anywhere in the world) in the 2025 tax year, other than your primary residence
 
4. If you have one or two children, or are age 55+ without children, and your average monthly income falls between 2,450 and 7,289 you may be eligible for this grant. If you are a single parent of 1-2 children (with custody of your minor children), your average monthly income must fall between 1,510 and 11,190 NIS to qualifyץ
 
5. If you have 3 or more children, and your average monthly income falls between 2,450 NIS and 8,020 NIS, you may be eligible for this grant. If you are a single parent of 3 or more children (with custody), you may qualify if your income is between 1,510 and 13,660 NIS per month.

6. If any of your children are below the age of 3, you may qualify for an additional grant.

*children who are counted are those who are under the age of 19 as of 31/12/2023

How do you apply? 

Online, using the Israeli tax website - this form lets you apply for this year and last year

OR
At the post office, where you'll need to answer a few questions. BE SURE to bring your teudat zehut (ID card) and either your checkbook or an "ishur" from your bank that you have an account with them. Please keep any paperwork you receive at the post office and/or in the mail. (This option only allows you to apply for 2025, whereas online you may still be able to apply for the previous year).

If you have questions after you've applied, or to check the status of your application, you can check the status of your request online in your "eizor ishi", or call *4954 or or 02-565-6400 to speak with the Tax Authority. 

Your payment may arrive in anywhere from 1-4 installments.

Deadline for applications:

At the post office: December 12, 2026

Online: December 31, 2027

How much can you expect to receive? 

The amount you receive will vary depending on your circumstances.

Your spouse's income may affect your eligibility, as may various other factors.

I hope this helps some of you out there! It's worth it to check if you are eligible.

Please share this information with your friends and family who may benefit from it!

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FREE HELP with your ISRAELI TAXES (for tax year 2025)

Every year, many of us have to file a yearly tax report with the Israel Tax Authority.

(Are you looking for info about filing US taxes as a dual Israeli-American citizen? Check HERE: https://www.kosherfrugal.com/2025/03/us-expats-tax-season-is-here-and-i-have.html)

Many, many people pay an accountant to handle this report, but did you know that in some cases you can also get FREE help?

Here's the deal:

The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for filing yearly tax reports: this year, assistance is available for Atzmaim (freelancers/self employed people) who have an Osek Za'ir but want to file manually, people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301, and employed individuals who've received a notice that they can  request a refund.

The assistance is available at the following offices between May 17, 2026 and July 8, 2026, Sundays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, unless listed otherwise:

Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week. I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the service will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays. In Um Al Fahem and Holon, the service is only available on Sundays. 

Bring ALL your relevant paperwork with you so you can get the most accurate assistance.

Good luck!

Here's info about filing US taxes as an expat/dual citizen!

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Please share this with anyone who will appreciate this info!

 

Free Help Filing Israeli Taxes for Last Tax Year (2023 taxes)!

Every year, many of us have to file a yearly tax report with the Israel Tax Authority.

Many, many people pay an accountant to handle this report, but did you know that in some cases you can also get FREE help?

Here's the deal:

The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for filing yearly tax reports: this year, assistance is available for Atzmaim (freelancers/self employed people) with income up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301, and employed individuals requested a refund using Form 135.

Find this help HERE:

Regional Tax Offices will operate these services between May 5, 2024 and June 26, 2024, Sundays and Wednesdays from 1pm - 6:00pm.

Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week. I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the service will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays. In Um Al Fahem, the service is only available on Sundays. 

NOTE: These clinics are ONLY for getting help filing your yearly tax report or a request for a refund for employed people (only forms 1301, 137, and 135).

Bring ALL your relevant paperwork with you so you can get the most accurate assistance.

Good luck!

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Money Saving Tip: Tax Breaks for Residents of Some Cities/Yishuvim

 

Do you live in a border town or development town? Many of these places offer a tax break for full-time residents. The percentage varies by community, but even if you only get a small break, you don't want to miss out on this! To get this tax break, you'll need an "Ishur Toshav" for tax purposes, which must be updated every January. Your employer or accountant will need it.

You're eligible if you've been a full-time resident of an eligible city/town/yishuv for at least 1 full year.

If you're eligible, your moetza or iriya will have a way to get it - most likely on their website.

Here's what I found on my moetza website:

So be sure to take care of this! Visit your municipality's website and get yours, and get your tax break!

List of eligible cities and towns (info in Hebrew)

List of additional cities and towns approved for 2023-2025 ONLY, at 12% (info in Hebrew)

It seems the percentage varies widely - and can change from one year to the next.

Hope you found this helpful! If you did, please share and also, join my Facebook group and follow my Facebook page!

Free Help Filing Israeli Taxes/Tax Refund Requests for Tax Year 2022!

Every year, many of us have to file a yearly tax report with the Israel Tax Authority.

Many, many people pay an accountant to handle this report, but did you know that in some cases you can also get FREE help?

Here's the deal:

The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for filing yearly tax reports: this year, assistance is available for Atzmaim (freelancers/self employed people) with income up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301, and employed individuals requested a refund using Form 135.

Find this help HERE:

Regional Tax Offices will operate these services between May 7, 2023 and June 29, 2023, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 1pm - 6:00pm. Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week. I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the service will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Um Al Fahem, the service is only available on Sundays. 

In Ashdod and Rishon Letzion the clinic is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-6pm.

NOTE: These clinics are ONLY for getting help filing your yearly tax report or a request for a refund for employed people (only forms 1301, 137, and 135).

Bring ALL your relevant paperwork with you so you can get the most accurate assistance.

Good luck!

Follow me on Facebook for more tips and info!

 

Free Help for New Freelancers!

 I see lots of people asking about opening a "tik atzmai". I even see people asking to hire someone to do it for them.

I'll admit, I didn't open mine myself - a tax consultant did it for me as long as I agreed to have her file my end of year tax paperwork... So I duly turned over the info she requested and later that day she gave me proof that I had a file opened!

BUT...

I did later talk someone else through opening one, because they didn't want to have to commit to paying anyone. They knew they would not be earning a lot through their freelance work, and would be eligible for FREE tax filing assistance. And then I realized it really wasn't as complicated as I'd thought!

And NOW?

Well, it's gotten even easier!

Because now, the Israel Tax Authority has a series of "how-to" videos available to the public, explaining exactly what to do!

Check them out HERE!

Who would have thought that the Tax Authority would be so helpful? I know it sounds strange... but it's true that they just want people to file their taxes properly.

Wishing you all good luck with your paperwork and much success in your new business ventures!

Hope you found this post helpful! If yes, please pass it on to someone else who could use it!