Social security tax

Gift, wealth, estate, and/or inheritance tax

Real estate tax

Sales/VAT tax

Unemployment tax

Other taxes

Foreign Financial Assets

Are there social security/social insurance taxes¹ in Turkey? If so, what are the rates for employers and employees?

All employees, including foreign nationals, are subject to compulsory social security. Only the application of unemployment insurance is exceptional for a foreigner, depending on the existence of reciprocal provisions between their home country/jurisdiction and Turkey. On the other hand, in the case where an assignee remains in the social security system in the home country/jurisdiction and substantiates their social security coverage through a document received from the competent authority in their home country/jurisdiction, they are not subject to social security in Turkey.

Contributions are payable by both the employer and the employee based on the employee’s salary. The rates stated above are applied to the gross total of salaries, wages and bonuses up to a current maximum monthly of TRY19,188.00 for the whole year 2019. In calculating the income withholding tax on the wages by the employer, the employee contribution is deducted from the withholding tax base.

Are there any gift, wealth, estate, and/or inheritance taxes² in Turkey?  

There is no wealth tax in Turkey.

The free transfer of title to property (immovable or movable) is potentially subject to inheritance and transfer tax. Tax rates vary between 1 percent and 30 percent.

The sale of immovable property is subject to a title deed registration fee at 1.5 percent on the sale price. Both the seller and the purchaser are liable to pay the 1.5 percent separately.

Are there real estate taxes in Turkey? 

Building and land tax are taxes imposed by the real estate tax³ law. The tax base is the fair market value and it may be less than the value calculated in accordance with certain criteria set for each region. The rate of building tax is 0.2 percent (0.1 percent on residences) and the rate of land tax is 0.1 percent (0.3 percent on building sites). Land taxes are applied as twice of the standard rate in some cities. There is also environment tax payable to local municipalities whose filing and payment dates are attached to those of building and land taxes. 

In Turkey, delivery of goods and services with respect to commercial, industrial, agricultural and independent professional activities, and importation of goods and services are subject to VAT:

• general: 18 percent 
• basic food stuff, textile products, and so on: 8 percent 
• certain agricultural products, financial leasing services, and so on: 1 percent.
  
  

Are there unemployment taxes in Turkey? 

In Turkey, both employees and employers are subject to unemployment insurance at a rate of 1 percent and 2 percent. The rates are applied to the gross total of salaries, wages, and bonuses up to a current maximum monthly of TRY19,188.00 for the whole year 2019.

Are there additional taxes in Turkey that may be relevant to the general assignee? For example, customs tax, excise tax, stamp tax, and so on. 

The remunerations paid through payroll are subject to 07.59 percent stamp duty on their gross amount.

Is there a requirement to declare/report offshore assets (e.g. foreign financial accounts, securities) to the country/jurisdiction’s fiscal or banking authorities?