Renting a car in Israel as a US citizen

[sky121]

When I request a rate for car rental on any of the various sites it asks me where I live. I live in the US but hold an Israeli passport as well. When I pick up a rental will they add Israeli tax even though I have a priced reservation?  What's the best way for me to rent?

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[Name Changed]

if you have a US pasport use that at the time of rental and rent as an American tourist... you wont pay VAT then

[sky121]

Last time I tried that they wouldn't let me rent since I had no stamp in my us passport. If I get it stamped should that work? 

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[AsherO]

Last time I tried that they wouldn't let me rent since I had no stamp in my us passport. If I get it stamped should that work? 

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If the passport was recently issued, just say you lost the original.

[sky121]

If the passport was recently issued, just say you lost the original.

Good idea... except it wasn't.

     Any other ideas?

[Name Changed]

They look for a stamp to see the date. You have only 3 months on ur visa... If you overstay then they will charge you VAT

If there is no stamp - then best is to say its a new one

If you could get a stamp then u have that time to save on VAT

[sky121]

They look for a stamp to see the date. You have only 3 months on ur visa... If you overstay then they will charge you VAT

If there is no stamp - then best is to say its a new one

If you could get a stamp then u have that time to save on VAT

I've gotten them to stamp my US Passport when going through the ISraeli line with my ISraeli Passport (claimed I wanted a stamp just for fun)

except someone told me now there are different stamps for tourist or residents...

?

[elikay]

Of course thay are different stamps, a tourist gets a tourist visa (b2?) valid for up tp 3 months. A student BTW has to pay VAT so if you have a student visa even if still within 3 months of your tourist visa they will charge tax if they see it. An israeli just gets an entry stamp.

[sky121]

Of course thay are different stamps, a tourist gets a tourist visa (a2?) valid for up tp 3 months. A student BTW has to pay VAT so if you have a student visa even if still within 3 months of your tourist visa they will charge tax if they see it. An israeli just gets an entry stamp.

Got it-- Ok-- Guess there isn't a way around it....

             ... So how do I get a good deal .. no, a great deal on a rental?

[elikay]

Travcom has got great rates I think I posted their number once.

[NoachCar-Israel]

The only way of NOT paying the 16% VAT is if the ranter came in to Israel on a forget passport and was stamped with a B2,B3 or B4 '3-6 months Visa'.