Tax Calendar for Home Buyers 2026

A real estate transaction includes a series of critical deadlines — missing one of them can cost a lot of money. Here is the consolidated timeline that every home buyer should know.

Day 0: Signing the Sale Agreement

This is the determining date from which the countdown begins for all other obligations — not the delivery date, not the registration date in the land registry. It is important to confirm with the accompanying attorney what the exact date considered "the signing date" for this purpose is, especially if the agreement is signed in stages (for example, a letter of intent followed by a full contract).

Up to 30 Days: Submission of Declaration on the Transaction

A detailed declaration about the transaction must be submitted to the tax authority (form for declaring the purchase of a real estate right) within 30 days from the signing of the contract, even if you have not yet paid the full tax. The declaration includes the details of the parties, a description of the property, and the transaction price — and serves as the basis for calculating the self-assessment tax that will determine the amount to be paid.

Up to 60 Days: Payment of Purchase Tax

The purchase tax itself must be paid within 60 days from the signing date — missing the deadline incurs linkage differences and late payment interest that accumulate daily. It is advisable to coordinate the availability of funds for this payment already at the budgeting stage, and not to rely on the mortgage funds arriving on time without delays.

During the Mortgage Period: Dates for Preliminary and Final Approval

Preliminary approval is usually valid for 90-120 days — if a contract is not signed within this time, renewal may be required. After finding a property, the final approval process must be completed with the bank before the actual delivery date. It is important to coordinate this timeline with the purchase tax payment date (60 days from signing), as sometimes it is necessary to transfer the mortgage funds before the tax can be paid in full.

After Receiving the Tax Assessment: 30 Days for Appeal

If you receive a purchase tax assessment that does not match your self-declaration, you generally have 30 days to submit a reasoned appeal to the tax authority — missing the deadline may solidify the assessment sent by the authority.

For Sellers: Capital Gains Tax Declaration

The seller must also submit a declaration about the transaction for capital gains tax within 30 days from signing, and pay the tax (if applicable) according to the schedule set by the tax authority. If the seller is entitled to a full exemption (for example, on a single apartment), they are still required to submit the declaration on time and explicitly request the exemption — the exemption is not granted automatically without a request.

What Happens in Transactions with Staggered Payments (Buying from a Developer)?

In a purchase from a developer, in addition to the tax timeline, there is also a contractual payment schedule related to construction milestones — foundations, framework, plastering, and delivery. It is important to distinguish between the two timelines: the tax (30/60 days from signing, regardless of construction progress) and the contractual (depends on the actual progress of the project).

General Annual Deadlines to Follow

• Update of the Purchase Tax Exemption Threshold: Usually updated at the beginning of the tax year according to the index.
• State Budget Discussions: May include tax changes that come into effect at varying times.
• Submission of Annual Income Tax Returns: Relevant for those renting apartments and reporting rental income.
• Update of Bank of Israel Interest Rate: The interest committee meets every few weeks and directly affects the cost of the mortgage in variable tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the 30-day deadline for submitting a declaration is missed?
Penalties may be added for late submission, separate from the interest differences on the tax payment itself.

Is the attorney responsible for reminding all deadlines?
Generally yes, but the final responsibility always lies with the buyer/seller — it is advisable to verify personally and not rely solely on reminders.

What happens if buying an apartment from a developer — are the deadlines the same?
The principles are similar, but purchasing from a developer also includes additional contractual deadlines (payments according to construction milestones) that must be tracked separately.

Where is it advisable to keep all the deadlines?
It is recommended to create a personal timeline immediately after signing the contract, in collaboration with the accompanying attorney, to avoid missing any critical deadlines.