Israeli Tax Authority Demands Yeshivas Confirm No Draft Dodgers to Retain Donor Tax Benefits

The Israeli Tax Authority has issued a dramatic letter imposing new conditions on yeshivas and religious institutions seeking to maintain approval under Section 46, which grants donors tax credits for their contributions. According to the letter, institutions must declare that none of their students have evaded military service or failed to regularize their status with the army. Furthermore, the institutions are required to submit a detailed list of students, including full names and ID numbers, and commit not to enroll students who have not complied with military service obligations.

The letter, received by yeshivas last week and reported on October 2, 2026, cites legal rulings from the Supreme Court and decisions by the government legal advisor as the basis for these demands. It states that tax benefits, including indirect support via donor tax credits, cannot be granted to institutions harboring students who have not fulfilled their military service duties. The Tax Authority has set a deadline of October 11, 2026, for submitting the signed declaration and student lists. Failure to comply or respond in writing may result in revocation of Section 46 approval.

Losing Section 46 status would have significant financial consequences for these institutions, as it is a key mechanism for attracting donations by providing tax incentives to donors. Yeshiva leaders now face a difficult choice between protecting student privacy and military status confidentiality or risking the loss of vital funding sources. The new policy marks a notable shift in government oversight of religious educational institutions and their relationship with military service obligations in Israel.