The investigation being conducted by the Israel Tax Authority against international model Bar Refaeli, on suspicion of evading tax payments worth millions of shekels, is almost complete. Sources inform "Globes" that the Tax Authority plans handing the case to the State Attorney before the end of 2016 and investigators feel that there is sufficient evidence to prove some of the allegations against Refaeli.
The decision on whether to prosecute Refaeli or close the case rests with the State Attorney who will weigh up the evidence. Indicting Refaeli would also be subject to a hearing, which would allow Refaeli and her lawyers to persuade the authorities of her innocence.
Refaeli was investigated regarding alleged evasion of her taxes on her income from abroad. She is suspected of telling the Tax Authority that she was living abroad over a period of several years when in fact, it is claimed, she was residing in YOO tower and W tower in Tel Aviv.
She is suspected of presenting contracts for those apartments signed by her brother and mother in order to hide that she was living in Israel and consequently the model evaded paying taxes worth tens of millions of shekels on her earnings abroad for those years.
Bar Refaeli and her mother Tzipi were arrested at the start of 2016 on suspicion of not reporting their full income to the Tax Authority and during the investigation it is alleged that they presented a false picture to the tax assessor on Bar Refaeli's residency. This it is claimed prevented payment of taxes worth tens of millions of shekels.
Bar Refaeli and her mother are also suspected of receiving celebrity benefits and discounts in terms of apartments, and cars worth more than NIS 1 million, which were not reported as income.
As "Globes" has previously revealed the dispute between Refaeli and the Tax Authority began in 2008 regarding 2005, 2006 and 2007. The issue arose again in 2015 regarding the years 2009-2012. Undercover investigators amassed evidence regarding the models residence in Tel Aviv's YOO tower during period when she claimed to be living abroad.
Bar and Tzipi Refaeli deny the allegations against them and Bar Refaeli recently told Channel 2 News, "I believe in justice and justice will be done and therefore I am not concerned."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 14, 2016
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