Posted on 12/08/22
| News Source: Chaim V'Chessed
Residents of Israel must pay arnona (property tax). Many residents are eligible for discounts based on income or other criteria. The deadline for filing for these discounts is December 31, which is fast approaching. Chaim V’Chessed urges all residents to immediately apply for discounts if they are eligible.
This week, members of Chaim V’Chessed’s Governmental Staff, led by Mrs. Rachel Morgenstern, met with Mr. Yuval Dar, director of the Jerusalem Arnona Department, to address various concerns of the English- speaking community. The meeting produced several important clarifications and rule changes.
An online application form is available at this link. In the past, foreign residents of Jerusalerm were not permitted to apply online and were required to apply in person. Through Chaim V’Chessed advocacy, foreigners have recently been permitted to apply online. Mr. Dar advised Chaim V’Chessed representatives that the municipality strongly recommends that all applications be submitted online. Applications submitted online will be responded to in a quicker fashion and are easier to track. It is still possible to apply for a discount in person.
Chaim V’Chessed representatives also raised an unusual problem with Mr. Dar relating to foreigners who do not yet have Bituach Leumi. Foreigners, with permission to work on their visas, are required to provide an ishur avoda from Bituach Leumi listing their places of work. However, newly arrived foreign residents are not yet eligible for Bituach Leumi and hence cannot provide such a letter. Chaim V’Chessed has received numerous inquiries from residents who were told: Bring a letter from Bituach Leumi that you are not Bituach Leumi members! This impossible demand has led to refusal of discounts for otherwise eligible residents.
Mr. Dar averred that applicants may now present a Dayan’s letter attesting that the applicant is not a Bituach Leumi member. The letter should state עדיין לא רשומים בביטוח לאומי ואין להם אפשרות להנפיק אישור עבודה או אישור מעמד לא עובד. Additionally, applicants must write in the comments section that they do not have Bituach Leumi and therefore are unable to provide documentation form Bituach Leumi.
Lastly, Mr. Dar revealed that in 2023, the deadline for Arnona discounts will be moved up to August 31. Please keep this in mind next year!
Click here to read more Chaim V’Chessed information about arnona.