(haipo) – A special report published by the Ombudsman in the State Comptroller's Office reveals that the Haifa District ranks third in Israel in the number of property tax complaints. The data shows that a high proportion of complaints were found to be justified or addressed, and that local authorities across the country recorded significant deficiencies in the way discounts were calculated, in collection, and in service to residents.
Haifa District: 10.7 complaints per 100 residents
The report, which examines public complaints about property taxes in the years 2023-2025, indicates that the Haifa District had 10.7 complaints per 100 residents, a figure that places it in third place in the country. The rate of complaints that were found justified or corrected was 40.4%, similar to the national average.
For comparison, the Jerusalem District leads with 15.1 complaints per 100 residents, followed by the Judea and Samaria District with 11.1 complaints, and only behind them is the Haifa District. At the bottom of the list: the Tel Aviv District with only 7.1 complaints.
Property tax revenues increased, but the collection rate decreased
The report presents a broad picture of the property tax system in Israel:
- In the last two years, approximately NIS 3 billion has been added to local authorities' property tax revenues, which stood at NIS 31.2 billion in 2023.
- At the same time, the actual collection rate dropped to 72%, compared to 74% the previous year.
- The debts of residents and businesses swelled to approximately 11.9 billion NIS.
- The scope of discounts and exemptions was reduced to 7.38 billion NIS.
The data emphasizes the importance of supervising the method of collection, the granting of discounts, and the handling of complaints, especially since property taxes are one of the most significant mandatory taxes in Israel.
The Ombudsman in the State Comptroller's Office assists victims of public bodies ◄ View
41.8% of complaints: Discounts and exemptions not granted
The commission received 937 complaints regarding property taxes from all over the country. Following their investigation, approximately 376 NIS were refunded to residents.
The main issue: discounts and exemptions that were not given or calculated incorrectly, 41.8% of all complaints.
In 41.6% of cases, the complaint was found to be justified or addressed.
In 70.3% of cases in which the complaint was found to be justified, it involved conduct that was contrary to the rules of proper administration; in 24% of cases, it involved an action that was taken in violation of the law or without authority.
Case study from Haifa: An assumption that was rejected due to an incorrect calculation
The report presents an example of a Haifa resident whose application for a low-income discount for 2024 was approved at a rate of 90%. Later that year, the municipality reduced the discount to 70% without explanation.
It was clearly revealed that the municipality had changed the method of calculating the number of people in the property, contrary to the opinion of the legal advisor. Following the commission's intervention, the full deduction was reinstated, and the municipality published its policy on the official website.
State Comptroller: "In the current economic reality, it is imperative to protect the rights of residents" ◄ Watch
State Comptroller and Ombudsman, Matanyahu Engelman, emphasized the seriousness of the findings:
"Conduct that denies rights to residents in a manner contrary to the rules of proper administration and the provisions of the law cannot be accepted. The authorities must act efficiently and transparently, especially during a challenging economic and security period."
How to submit a complaint to the Ombudsman
The service is free to every citizen. Complaints can be filed on various issues with public bodies, including local authorities, government ministries, National Insurance, the Employment Service, and more.
Filing a possible complaint:
- online On the website of the State Comptroller's Office 👉🏼
- At reception desks in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nof HaGalil, Lod and Beer Sheva.
Very high property taxes
but…
Infrastructure 0
Care 0
It's a shame, Haifa could have been the most beautiful city in Israel.
Haifa residents have become accustomed to paying a lot.
It seems that in Haifa, the municipal tax department chose people with tweezers, choosing them one by one.
Maybe that's why Haifa took this place, it's not just this year, it's been like this for many years.
Haifa never grows grass until one old man dismantled all of Haifa……. In the next elections, vote for the devil, maybe you will have a little more happiness.
Property taxes in Haifa are one of the highest in the country, discounts for long-term residents are 25% up to 100 square meters, many municipalities and authorities offer 30% discounts, there doesn't seem to be any justification, the municipality needs to reexamine itself