According to a report released on Wednesday 15 Cheshvan by State Comptroller Justice Yosef Shapira, the Israel Tax Authority for three years failed to issue NIS billions in refunds as the state agency continues to overcharge taxpayers.

According to Shapira, the Tax Authority is quite good at collecting and has already surpassed this year’s projection of NIS 9 billion. The report explains that if taxpayers overpay, the Tax Authority does not issue a refund, but prefers to hold on to the extra money. This alarming trend was documented in a number of areas including salaried employees, especially salaried employees that did not work an entire year or employees who worked at more than one job.

It is added in 2012, the figure stood at NIS 563 million paid by 364,000 employees who are owed NIS 1,550 per year on average. For one to receive a refund one has to be aware of the money owed and then filed a request on the official form. Shapira also documents the Tax Authority has not bothered adjusting the amount of refunds and allowances over recent years as it fails to notify taxpayers they are entitled to a refund.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)