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Israel Tax Authority Issues Executive Order allowing Double Purchase Tax Benefits for Certain Residential Buyers
Extension of Purchase Tax for Investors - Interview with Maya Carmi
The Ministry of Finance intends to extend the purchase tax for investors, currently set at 8%, as part of the Arrangements Law for 2025, which has led to strong opposition from contractors. Attorney Maya Carmi from our firm was interviewed by Yedioth Ahronoth and stated, among other things, that the purpose of freezing the tax rate is to disincentivize investors from purchasing apartments, thereby increasing the supply of available apartments and reducing prices, which would allow young couples and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to buy homes.
Taxing of apartment purchases in buildings slated for demolition
Tax innovations in Israel during 2024
Over the past year, alongside handling the economic repercussions of the war and issuing financial assistance to war victims and to evacuees, the courts, the legislative authority and the Israel Tax Authority continued their efforts in the legislative arena and issued several significant tax rulings. Following are the most important innovations relating to income tax, real estate tax and VAT.
Barnea: Representing the Aviv Group in an Administrative Petition
Zohar Lande, Adi Shoham, Shay Bello, and Anna Elenport are representing the Aviv Group in an administrative petition against the Herzliya Municipality. The petition was filed after the municipality undertook to approve a development plan for land within a year, a condition precedent to the transfer of the land to Aviv. The municipality however, has yet to review the plan. The Aviv Group is currently bearing the financial cost – whereas the construction is not expected to start any time soon.
Real Estate Taxation: Tax Aspects in Realizing Real Estate Rights
Maya Carmi Lubartovsky, head of our firm’s real estate taxation practice , participated in another episode of the ACC Podcast Series in collaboration with The new episode covers tax aspects of cash transactions, combination transactions, construction services transactions, the tax advantages and disadvantages of different transaction structures, etcetera.
Real Estate Taxation: Key Things to Know When Conducting a Real Estate Transaction in Israel
As an expert in the field of real estate taxation, Adv. Maya Carmi from our firm, is a guest on the ACC podcast series, providing clarity on all aspects related to real estate taxation. The first two podcasts which were uploaded yesterday, focus on capital gains tax and purchase tax.
Representation of Bank Hapoalim in a class action filed against it
Eyal Nachshon, Zohar Haim Levinger and Anna Elenport represented Bank Hapoalim in a class action lawsuit filed by the Association of Representatives of Society and the Environment. In the application for the class action, it is claimed that the bank charges excessive exchange fees when converting monies in foreign currency. The court rejected the application out of hand and stated that the submission of the application constitutes conduct in bad faith and misuse of a legal process.
Israel: Improved Purchase Tax Benefit for New Immigrants
Barnea: Representing Azrieli Group in Lease Transaction with NTA
Our firm represented Azrieli Group in a multimillion-shekel lease transaction with NTA – Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd. As part of the transaction, NTA will expand its office space at Azrieli Business Park Holon from 8,000 to 12,000 square meters. Alon Wolner and Hili Michaeli represented Azrieli in the transaction.
Walla: Maya Carmi Lubartovski Discusses Important Details of Gifting an Apartment
No takebacks, receiving nothing in return, and a cooling-off period—gifting an apartment to a relative offers significant tax advantages. However, it is crucial to fully understand the consequences of this move for both the giver and the recipient of the gift.
Transaction: Solrom Merges with Listed Company 3DM
Hagit Ross, Elad Reshtick, Omri Oren, and Alon Anava represented the public company 3DM in a merger transaction, wherein 3DM will acquire Solrom Electronics Ltd. Solrom is engaged in the development, planning, production, and marketing of products primarily for use in the defense market.
Real Estate Taxation Updates: Maya Carmi's Interview with Bizportal
Maya Carmi Lubartovski, the head of our firm's real estate taxation practice, was interviewed by Bizportal about the Israel Tax Authority's planned updates in the real estate taxation field. Among other things, she discussed the consequences of higher purchase tax rates for second apartments and giving apartments as a gift.
Class Action: Depreciation from Apartment Purchase Value
What Are the Tax Aspects of Prenuptial Agreements in Israel?
Tax: Classification of Intercompany Transactions
Pinui-Binui: Court Rules in Favor of Recalcitrant Tenants in Pinui-Binui Project
In an exceptional step, an Israeli court dismissed a claim filed by 243 residents against a couple in its 70s who refused to sign an agreement for a pinui-binui project. Part of the court’s rationale had to do with the couple’s age. Alon Wolner, a partner in our Real Estate Department, was interviewed by Globes about the case. Alon noted, “The court sided with the couple opposed to the project, even though they do not meet the law’s definition, and should not technically receive an elderly persons designation. The ruling thus provides an escape route, by allowing the couple to receive this designation, and enabling the project to proceed.”
Barnea: Representing Aviv Group in Investment Transaction
Ilan Blumenfeld, Terry Almozlino Arnon, Alon Wolner, and Daniel Kleinman represented Aviv Group in a ILS 45 million investment by Menora Mivtachim in Aviv Group’s ILS 1.2 billion skyscraper project in Herzliya.
Barnea: Counsel in Israel’s Most Expensive Real Estate Transaction in October 2023
Alon Wolner and Shoval Mandel, provided legal representation in the purchase of a Tel Aviv penthouse for over ILS 22 million. This was the most expensive real estate transaction in Israel in the month of October.
NPOs Receive Exemptions from Real Estate Betterment Levies
The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled that NPOs are entitled to receive an exemption from real estate betterment levies, provided they use the proceeds from the sale of such real estate for a public purpose specified in the law.
What to Know about Joining a Purchasing Group – Alon Wolner Interview with Bizportal
For years, the purchasing group trend made transactions to purchase an apartment more viable. Today, as part of the drive to deal with sky-high housing prices, the trend has seen a resurgence. As an expert in the real estate field, Alon Wolner was interviewed by Bizportal on the subject. Alon noted that “naturally, when there is an attempt to lower prices, creative solutions are sought, but we should remain aware of the risks inherent in purchasing groups.”
Who Owns the Building Rights?
An important ruling handed down by the Israeli Supreme Court clarifies how specific rights holders acquire additional or future building rights in real estate assets.
Representing Aviv Group in ILS 1.1 Billion Financing Agreement
Terry Almozlino Arnon, Alon Wolner, and Nadav Shoshan represented Aviv Group in a financing agreement for the purchase of land for the construction of 733 housing units in Herzliya. The scope of the financing agreement is over NIS 1.1 billion.
Closing a Deal – Transaction Closing in the World of Malls and Chain Stores
Terry Almozlino-Arnon, Alon Wolner, and Irit Brodsky are participating in a panel on how to successfully complete mall real estate transactions and commercial tenders. The panel is being held as part of the Israel Mall & Chain Store Conference held in Eilat.
Representing Azrieli Group in NIS 1.31 Billion Acquisition of Mall Hayam
Our firm represented Azrieli Group, the largest income-producing real estate company in Israel, in the acquisition of Mall Hayam for NIS 1.31 billion.
Firm partners Terry Almozlino Arnon, Ilan Blumenfeld, and Alon Wolner represented Azrieli in the transaction.
Representing Azrieli in NIS 860 Million Agreement with SolarEdge
Our firm represented the Azrieli Group in an agreement with SolarEdge to build the solar energy company’s new campus, at an investment of approximately NIS 860 million. The future campus will be built by Azrieli on a 6.5 acre site in Glilot North, east of the coastal highway (Road 2), which was purchased from private owners. Advs. Terry Almozlino Arnon and Alon Wolner represented Azrieli in the transaction.
Initiative to Increase Population Density in Residences
The National Committee for Planning and Construction has approved the Planning Administration’s initiative to amend the provisions of TAMA 35. The planned amendment will update the calculation method for the level of population density, from the number of residential units per square kilometer to the number of persons per square kilometer.
Renting or Leasing out an Apartment? Here’s What You Should Know
Many tenants move in August, so now is the perfect opportunity to refresh your memory on the rights and obligations of the parties involved (both the lessor and the lessee).
Renting or Leasing out an Apartment? Here’s What You Should Know
Adv. Alon Wolner published an article on the Walla news site on the rights and obligations of lessors and lessees.
Israeli Authorities Taking Action to Lower Barriers in Urban Renewal Projects
In light of the complexity of urban renewal projects, and in order to promote further urban renewal, Israeli authorities have begun taking action to create mechanisms and implement changes to convince apartment owners and entrepreneurs that urban renewal projects are feasible and worthwhile.
How should you Conduct Yourself When Building Defects are Discovered in the Apartment You Purchased?
Adv. Alon Wolner from our Real Estate department was interviewed by Ynet and explained how to act legally when building defects are discovered in the apartment you purchased, and to which court it is customary to file claims.
Saving Israel’s National Outline Plan 38 for Urban Renewal
The housing shortage in Israel and the issue of urban renewal are constantly on the public agenda. This past year, there have been many discussions about the actions that must be taken to initiate and carry out urban renewal projects.
Article: Saving Israel’s National Outline Plan 38 for Urban Renewal
Adv. Alon Wolner, who coordinates the urban renewal sector at our firm, has an article on Calcalist Dun's 100 website about the changing trend in urban renewal from NOP 38 projects to Pinui-Binui.
Buying an Apartment in an NOP 38/1 Urban Renewal Project? These New Regulations Are for You
The Ministry of Construction and Housing recently published a memorandum of law that prescribes a payment schedule for the first time that is specifically defined for urban renewal projects involving the addition of new apartments to existing buildings.
May It Be Renewed – Amendment to the Evacuation and Construction Law
The residential real estate market in Israel has been subject to drastic changes for some months. After years of a steady sharp uptrend in apartment prices, the number of real estate transactions has diminished, and apartment prices in most regions in Israel have either stabilized or dipped slightly.
National Outline Plan (NOP) 38 - Recommendations to Tenants
Urban renewal construction projects, known in Israel either as an NOP 38/1 project (retrofit and renovate), or as an NOP 38/2 project (demolish and reconstruct) began in Israel as a result of the realization that residential buildings whose building permits predate 1.1.1980 must undergo earthquake retrofitting.