The Israel Tax Authority has begun enforcing a broad new set of requirements on dozens of yeshivas and religious institutions seeking to obtain or renew their Section 46 tax-exemption status, which allows donors to receive tax credits. According to the letters sent, yeshivas must now submit a full student roster including names and ID numbers, and declare that no enrolled student is a draft evader who has not regularized their military status. Institutions must also commit to not enrolling such students in the future.
The Israel Tax Authority is now enforcing the new conditions for yeshivas seeking Section 46 tax-exempt donation status, as detailed in letters sent Saturday evening. Yeshivas must submit full student rosters with names and ID numbers, certify that no enrolled student is a draft evader who has not regularized their military status, and commit to future compliance. The move follows a series of reports Saturday evening in which the Tax Authority's demands were first revealed.
On Saturday evening, the online outlet Friend first reported that the Tax Authority had notified dozens of yeshivas of the new requirements. The story was soon confirmed by N12, which cited Tax Authority official Yuval Shadeh reiterating the prohibition on indirect funding of institutions with draft-dodging students. The demands evolved from the initial threat to revoke benefits to a detailed requirement for student rosters and written commitments, reflecting a coordinated enforcement push.
The policy is part of a broader state campaign to enforce conscription on Haredi yeshiva students, as The Zioneer reported on June 24 when the Tax Authority first signaled the policy. The state's position to the High Court on June 25 supported revoking tax benefits for institutions housing draft dodgers, with an analysis showing potential savings of 430 million shekels annually. Additionally, the Attorney General informed the High Court on July 1 that the Education Ministry must prepare to cut daycare subsidies for families of draft-dodging yeshiva students.
It remains unclear how many yeshivas have complied with the new requirements, and whether the Keren Olam HaTorah fund's announcement that it will continue supporting yeshivas that omit students from enrollment could provide a workaround. The Tax Authority has not yet responded to queries about the number of institutions that have submitted the required information.
5 developments
- DevelopingTax Authority to demand yeshivas declare draft-dodging students or lose tax breaks
- DevelopingState urges High Court to strip tax benefits from yeshivas housing draft dodgers — analysis reveals 430M shekel annual savings
- DevelopingIsrael's draft bill defines yeshiva student terms; Defense Minister to compile eligible yeshivas list
- DevelopingKeren Olam HaTorah: yeshivas omitting students to keep tax clause will still get fund support
Source and signal
- Internal intake