Tax Consulting and Planning for Businesses

When do you need tax advice in Turkey?

When setting up or running a business in Turkey, many foreign entrepreneurs find themselves facing a tax system with its own terminology, regulations, and deadlines, different from what they are used to in their home countries. The language barrier makes things even more complex, since most official circulars and directives are issued in Turkish, and their details can change from one period to another. In addition, no business is subject to just one tax obligation; rather, several interlocking obligations may apply depending on the company's type, the nature of its activity, and the scale of its operations.

It is common for some business owners to rely on other business owners' experiences or information circulating within expat communities, but this approach carries a real risk: every business has its own situation in terms of the company's legal form, the type of its activity, and the source of its revenue, and what applies to one case does not necessarily apply to another. Relying on general information or personal experiences without specialized review can expose the business owner to obligations they weren't aware of.

What are the basic tax categories that apply to businesses in Turkey?

• Corporate tax (Kurumlar Vergisi): levied on the profits of companies with legal personality
• Value added tax (KDV): applied to most sales of goods and services
• Income tax (Gelir Vergisi): concerns the income of natural persons, including owners of sole proprietorships
• Withholding tax (Stopaj): withheld at source on certain payments, such as wages or certain services, and later remitted to the tax authority

These categories exist as a general framework within the Turkish tax system, but any given business may be subject to one or more of them, with obligations that vary according to its specific situation.

Why is specialized tax advice different from general information?

General information about the Turkish tax system is useful for getting the big picture, but it doesn't replace a review of an individual case. A licensed financial accountant (Mali Müşavir) is the only party legally authorized, under the professional practice law No. 3568, to review accounting records and sign and officially file most tax returns with the tax authority. In other words, even if a business owner understands the general framework of the tax system, turning that understanding into an actual filing requires the file to pass through a licensed accountant who bears professional responsibility for the accuracy of what is submitted.

This distinction is what makes specialized tax advice a necessary step rather than a luxury: it connects the company's actual situation — its type, activity, and scale of operations — to the obligations that apply to it specifically, rather than relying on a general rule that may not apply. Rafiq provides this connection by coordinating with a licensed financial accountant who reviews the client's situation and provides guidance appropriate to their case.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need tax advice even if my business is small? Yes. The scale of activity does not eliminate the tax obligations tied to the company's form and type of activity, and some obligations on small businesses can be similar to those imposed on larger ones. Reviewing your situation early helps avoid unpleasant surprises later.

Can I rely on general information I find online to plan my tax situation? General information is useful for initial understanding only, but it doesn't account for the specifics of your case, and may be outdated or not applicable to your type of activity. Actual tax planning requires a review by a licensed financial accountant familiar with the details of your file.

Does tax treatment differ for companies owned by foreigners? In principle, companies owned by foreigners in Turkey are subject to the same tax categories as local companies, but additional details may arise related to the nature of ownership or the company's international dealings, and this is exactly where you need specialized review rather than relying on a general rule.

Last updated: 2026-09-07