Taxes

A value-added tax (VAT) of 16% is charged on all purchases and transactions except tourists' hotel bills and car rentals paid in foreign currency (cash, traveler's checks, or foreign credit cards). Upon departure, you are entitled to a refund of this tax on purchases made in foreign currency of more than $100 on one invoice; but the refund is not mandatory, and not all stores provide VAT return forms. Stores so organized display "taxvat" signs and give 5% discounts, or you can inquire.

Keep your receipts and ask for a cash refund at Ben Gurion Airport. Change Place Ltd. has a special desk for this purpose in the duty-free area. If you leave from another departure point, the VAT refund will be sent to your home address.

As of this writing, Israel has no departure tax.