Major Bribery Probe Leads to Arrests of Israel Tax Authority Employees

Israel Police’s Lahav 433 major-crimes unit announced that several current and former employees of the Israel Tax Authority were detained on suspicion of accepting bribes in exchange for approving false tax returns. The arrests were carried out at the suspects’ homes and offices, and the detainees will appear before the Ramle Magistrate’s Court for a hearing on extending their remand.

Times of IsraelThe Jerusalem PostGlobes

The covert operation, conducted jointly by Lahav 433 and the Tax Authority’s investigative arm, uncovered a scheme that is believed to have persisted for more than two decades, primarily in the central region’s Petah Tikva and Netanya branches. Police sources indicated that the inquiry focused on corrupt relationships that ended around 2018-2019 but originated many years earlier.

The Jerusalem Post

Authorities allege that the suspects facilitated false tax rebates totaling roughly NIS 80 million (about $26 million). Bribe payments to the officials are reported to range between NIS 10 million and NIS 15 million, with the principal suspect allegedly pocketing NIS 7 million, another receiving about NIS 2 million, and the remaining individuals obtaining smaller sums. The illicit payments were made in cash and in kind.

Globes

Police have not disclosed the exact number of arrested individuals, describing the group as “more than ten” Tax Authority employees, including a former deputy assessing officer with substantial authority. The investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been made of the individuals who provided the bribes. All suspects retain the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Times of Israel

• “At this stage, the question is being examined whether the suspects operated as an organized gang, or whether each operated alone, but it is already clear that it wasn’t possible not to know about the receipt of bribes and the suspects knew about one another,” — senior police source

Globes

• “According to the allegations, false annual tax returns were filed with the knowledge of the suspects, the criminal partners in the Tax Authority,” — police source

Globes

• “According to the allegations, taxpayers would file false tax returns showing that they had overpaid tax and that they were due the repayment of money to which they were not actually entitled.” — police source

Globes

• “None of those who paid the bribes has been arrested at this stage.” — Globes report (July 20 2026)

Globes

• “The suspects have not been convicted of committing a crime and are entitled to the presumption of innocence.” — Globes report (July 20 2026)

Globes