The short answer
baba translates a Mas Hachnasa Letter as a PDF (up to 20 pages) or by camera if you only have the printed page, so you can read what it says in your own language.
- A mas hachnasa letter typically concerns an annual report requirement, a tax assessment, a refund, or a request for supporting documents. Israel’s tax year runs January to December, and most individual filing and refund correspondence follows that calendar, though the letter’s own stated date is what actually applies to you.
- baba does not produce certified, sworn or notarised translations, and makes no claim about what any Israeli institution accepts.
What is a Mas Hachnasa Letter?
Sent by: The Israel Tax Authority (רשות המסים), specifically its income tax division, usually through your assigned assessing office (פקיד שומה).
A mas hachnasa letter typically concerns an annual report requirement, a tax assessment, a refund, or a request for supporting documents. Israel’s tax year runs January to December, and most individual filing and refund correspondence follows that calendar, though the letter’s own stated date is what actually applies to you.
What it usually contains
- A tax file number (מספר תיק במס הכנסה)
- The tax year(s) referenced
- An assessment, refund amount, or a request for documents
- Instructions for responding, including any appeal process
Hebrew terms and fields olim get wrong
- Not realising that "נקודות זיכוי" (tax credit points) directly reduce tax owed, and that olim status can add credit points for a period after aliyah — a field worth checking rather than skipping.
- Confusing a "שומה" (assessment) letter, which states a conclusion, with a request for documents, which expects a response before any conclusion is reached.
- Assuming a refund (החזר מס) is automatic once overpayment exists, when many refunds require filing an annual report to claim.
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| מס הכנסה | mas hachnasa | income tax |
| פקיד שומה | pkid shuma | tax assessor / assessing officer |
| דוח שנתי | do'ach shnati | annual tax report |
| שומה | shuma | tax assessment |
| ניכוי מס במקור | nikuy mas bamakor | tax withheld at source |
| זיכוי מס | zikuy mas | tax credit |
| נקודות זיכוי | nekudot zikuy | tax credit points |
| החזר מס | hechzer mas | tax refund |
| תיאום מס | te'um mas | tax coordination, for people with more than one employer |
| מספר תיק | mispar tik | tax file number |
Deadlines and consequences to watch for
- The tax year runs January to December, and annual report deadlines for individuals are commonly discussed as falling in spring — but the date printed on your specific notice is the one that applies, since deadlines vary by filer type.
- Late filing or late payment can add interest, and can also delay a refund that is otherwise owed to you.
None of this is tax or legal advice. A specific filing, assessment, or refund question should go to an Israeli accountant (רואה חשבון) or tax advisor, or to the Tax Authority directly using your file number.
How do I translate my own Mas Hachnasa Letter?
Paper → camera
Photograph the document flat, in even light, with the whole page in frame, and translate the image. Printed official Hebrew, without vowel points, is the easiest case for camera translation.
File or scan → PDF
baba handles PDFs up to 20 pages per document, including scanned pages via built-in OCR — useful for a multi-page contract or a report packet.
PDF translation and camera translation of full documents and images are Pro features, available on a 7-day free trial. The free plan covers typed text: 2,500 characters per month with a free account, and 1,000 as a guest with no login. If you only need to check a phrase or a paragraph you can retype, start with typed-text translation for free; switch to Pro for the full document.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file an annual tax report in Israel?
It depends on your income sources and employment situation. The letter you received, or an accountant, is the authoritative source for whether you specifically need to file — this page cannot determine that for you.
What are tax credit points and do olim get extra ones?
Tax credit points (נקודות זיכוי) reduce the tax withheld from your pay. New immigrant status can add credit points for a period after aliyah — check the relevant field on your tofes 101 and confirm the current rules with an accountant or the Tax Authority.
Why does the letter mention a "שומה" instead of a bill?
Shuma (שומה) means assessment — it is the Tax Authority’s conclusion about what you owe or are owed, which is a different thing from a document requesting more information.
Can baba translate a multi-page tax assessment PDF?
Yes, PDF translation covers documents up to 20 pages, which fits most individual assessments and report packets.
Should I show the translation to my accountant?
Yes — a translation helps you understand the letter, but a roue cheshbon (accountant) or the Tax Authority should confirm anything you plan to act on.
What baba does not do
- baba tells you what the document says. A deadline, an appeal, a status decision, or a payment demand still warrants a person who knows the Israeli system — often the sending office itself, or a qualified lawyer, accountant, or advisor.
- baba does not produce certified, sworn or notarised translations, and makes no claim about what any agency, bank, employer, or institution will accept.
- PDF translation covers 20 pages per document; camera translation works best on printed text rather than handwriting.
- The free tier is 2,500 characters per month with a free account, or 1,000 as a guest with no login — enough for a short message, not a full document. See pricing.