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Does being really, really hot mean you don’t have to pay taxes? Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli obviously thinks so.
Bar recently asked the Israel Tax Authority to grant her non-resident status for tax purposes, according to Ha’aretz. Her representatives are in the midst of negotiating with the authority and say she is considering setting up an overseas company for tax purposes.
Ms. Refaeli has paid taxes in Israel over the years—as required by law—but is now seeking ways to save hundreds of thousands of shekels by changing her residency status. The matter of residency status for tax purposes involves issues such as how many days annually one spends in the Jewish state, where he or she works, and if he or she owns a home there.
Ms. Refaeli conducts most of her business in nations that maintain tax treaties with Israel, so she will most likely pay part of her taxes there and part abroad.
The authority is expected to get back to Bar in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, another Israeli supermodel is doing her part. Esti Ginzburg, 19, who has modeled for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and designer names like Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, FCUK, and Pull & Bear, is now serving a two-year military service for the Israel Defense Forces, while also juggling international modeling gigs.
She is also talking to high school students about their options in the service.
“If you live in this country and you grow up in this country then you have to serve and do the minimum,” she told ISRAEL21c. “It’s the values I grew up on and I always knew I was going to go in, even though it’s hard.”
Last year, Ms. Ginzburg—who began modeling at age 8—made her acting debut in the film, “Twelve,” directed by Joel Schumacher, which will premiere at the upcoming Sundance film festival.