Bar Refaeli owes millions of dollars in back taxes, Israeli judge rules

JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli court has ordered supermodel Bar Rafaeli to pay millions of dollars in back taxes.

During the years in question, 2009 and 2010, Refaeli claimed that her main residence was in the United States and therefore owes less in taxes to Israel.

She told the Lod District Court that she moved to the United States in 2007 while in a relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio and that the two shared a home in 2009 and 2010, where she expected to build a family with the actor, the Israeli business daily Globes reported.

Israel’s Tax Authority says she was a resident of Israel from 2009 and on. Records show that Refaeli spent 185 days in Israel in 2009 and 131 days in Israel in 2010, according to Globes.

Refaeli’s lawyers provided Judge Samuel Bornstein with dozens of photos taken of the couple during those years. but it was not enough to sway him. He said he was not provided with evidence directly from DiCaprio.

Refaeli, who is married with two children, said she will appeal the ruling. She is scheduled to co-host the finals of the Eurovision contest next month.