Tax Authority approves grants for thousands of self-employed
Some 40,000 requests for financial aid submitted by self-employed workers were approved by the Israel Tax Authority as of Wednesday afternoon, less than one day after applications opened for a second round of grants.
Applications for additional assistance opened early Wednesday morning, with the Tax Authority promising widened eligibility criteria and payment within a few days to self-employed workers hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. High demand left some applicants unable to access the Tax Authority’s website immediately.
Speaking at a televised press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said authorities had decided to adopt an “American model” of financial assistance and significantly cut bureaucratic hurdles. Payments would arrive within two days, Tax Authority director-general Eran Yaacov said.
Those eligible for the grant include self-employed workers and employee-owned businesses whose revenues did not exceed NIS 1 million during the 2018 tax year. Eligible businesses will receive up to 70% of their average monthly revenue, or a maximum of NIS 10,500.
Employee-owned businesses will only be able to submit applications from May 18, the Tax Authority said, adding that it requires additional time to prepare suitable eligibility checks.
Self-employed workers whose annual revenues are NIS 18,000NIS 300,000 will also be eligible for an additional grant of NIS 700-NIS 3,025, the Tax Authority said.
Providing an insight into the likely struggles faced by many businesses nationwide, popular ice-cream chain Vaniglia was hit by an injunction for an interim freeze on Tuesday, with the almost two-decadeold company citing serious debts.
According to Israeli financial daily Calcalist, the company was struggling with debts valued at approximately NIS 5 million.
“Unfortunately, the coronavirus crisis did not forgive the old and successful chain, which has been producing ice cream for 18 years,” said attorney Hayut Greenberg, who represents the chain and its shareholders.
“The Passover period this year was crushing for [the chain], as it is one of the strongest periods for the industry,” she said. “But this year, revenue fell by more than 80%. Following difficult discussions, the company decided to make a courageous and responsible decision and approach the court with an appropriate request that will give it air to breathe and enable it to organize itself within the unique circumstances that have been created.”
Data published Wednesday evening by the Israeli Employment Service showed a continuing positive trend in individuals returning to the workplace.
Between 4 p.m. on Tuesday and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, nearly 5,600 applicants for unemployment benefits reported they had returned to work. The number of new applicants was about 1,700.
Since the end of Passover, almost 43,900 job-seekers have informed the Employment Service they have returned to work. The real number is believed to be much higher.
A significant increase in individuals returning to work is expected by the end of the week, following the reopening of malls, markets and gyms.