09/10/2024
Banking and Tax Aspects of International Transfers and Payments for New Immigrants to Israel: Accountant's Advice
New immigrants' interactions with Israeli banks are often accompanied by challenges, especially when it comes to transferring money from abroad. One of the key aspects to consider is compliance with regulations. This means that the bank expects confirmation of the legality of the money’s origin and proof that taxes have been paid on those funds.
The first case involves a new immigrant receiving funds that, according to Israeli law, are not subject to taxation. This could include, for example, income from the sale of real estate, rental income, or active income earned outside Israel. In such cases, the bank often requires an official statement regarding the source of the money and tax compliance, provided by a licensed accountant from the country where the transfer originated.
The second case concerns situations where the money is taxable in Israel. This occurs when an immigrant works for a foreign company or clients but performs their work from within Israel. In this case, the income must be declared and taxes paid in Israel. The bank will require a certificate from a licensed Israeli accountant confirming business registration and tax payments in Israel, as well as providing the necessary financial and tax documents.
The complexity is often compounded by the fact that much depends on the specific bank employee. Sometimes an enormous amount of documentation is required, especially when it involves transfers from countries subject to international sanctions, such as Russia. In these cases, the problems lie not only with the receiving party, i.e., Israel, but also with the restrictions imposed on Russian banks.
I mainly handle the preparation of documents confirming business registration and tax payments in Israel. However, since many issues are more complex in nature, I collaborate with a partner who has over 20 years of experience in senior positions within the Israeli banking system. He is often indispensable when it comes to communicating with banks and assisting in meeting the complex requirements that can arise during fund transfers.