Criminal10/8/2026

Former Tax Authority Inspector Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

The Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court sentenced accountant Erez Mines to 18 months in prison for tax offenses, fraud, and document forgery. The former senior Tax Authority inspector helped his clients obtain tax refunds to which they were not entitled, and his fees were tied to the amounts refunded.

Key facts

•Court: Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court
•Sentence: 18 months in prison
•In addition: a nine-month suspended sentence and a fine of NIS 75,000
•Period during which the offenses were committed: 2005–2015
•Tax offenses: approximately NIS 1.2 million and NIS 16,818 in value-added tax
•The source did not provide a case number or the date of the judgment

How the Scheme Worked

Mines worked for about ten years as a senior inspector at the Tax Authority and later ran a private accounting firm. According to the judgment, during the years 2005–2015, he submitted false information, forged documents, recorded fictitious entries in accounting books, and explained to some of his clients how to defraud the tax authorities. Because his fees were calculated as a portion of the refund obtained, the court determined that he had a direct financial incentive to increase the payments.

The Offenses of Which He Was Convicted

In September 2019, an indictment was filed against Mines. Following lengthy proceedings, he was convicted, among other things, of concealing income in reports, maintaining false accounting books and entries, and fraud and forgery under aggravated circumstances. However, the court acquitted him of some charges relating to several clients.

The Sentence and the Court's Position

Judge Dror Klaytman sentenced Mines to 18 months in prison, a nine-month suspended sentence, and a fine of NIS 75,000. The court determined that the offenses under the Income Tax Ordinance amounted to approximately NIS 1.2 million, while the value-added tax offenses amounted to NIS 16,818. The aggravating circumstances included the prolonged and systematic nature of the acts and the use of professional knowledge and prior experience working for the Tax Authority. In the defendant's favor, the court took into account his lack of prior convictions, along with his personal and medical circumstances.

Why the Case Is Not Only About the Budget

The court noted that failure to pay taxes reduces the state treasury from which public services are funded and undermines equality between law-abiding taxpayers and those who evade payment. Mines's actions also harmed the clients: they were investigated, suspected of committing tax offenses, and their homes were searched. The defense stated that, after reviewing the judgment, the possibility of filing an appeal would be considered.

What this means for you

The decision shows that a tax expert bears criminal responsibility if he knowingly uses false information or forged documents to obtain refunds. The clients of such an expert may also face investigation, questioning, and searches, even if the professional intermediary organized the scheme. The court may regard fees calculated as a percentage of the refund amount as a financial incentive for fraud.

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Case analysis based on court rulings