Tax Authority sees fewer cases as inspectors leave

The Israel Tax Authority has lost dozens of inspectors in recent months, resulting in a fall in the number of cases handled in the past six months, according to an internal review. The number of hours devoted to each case has still not been disclosed. This figure can help to show if there was a relative decline in the number of files, and not only an absolute decline.

The Tax Authority has been suffering from a severe shortage of inspectors, after dozens left when their five-year contracts expired. The last tax inspectors' course was held five years ago. A new course has just been completed, and 80 inspectors are now undergoing internships at the Tax Authority. A new course has also been opened, with 40 students.

A second reason for the decline in the number of cases is the ongoing handling of compensation cases resulting from last year�s Second Lebanon War. This issue stands out in the north, were inspectors have not yet completed the handling of all the compensation cases.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on July 24, 2007