Dear Valued Client,

We would like to remind you about a development which will enter into force on October 2018 unless any delay occurs.

Overview

Pursuant to the 18/2/2017 dated General Statement on the Withholding Tax Return and Monthly Premium & Service Declarations which is published in the 29983 numbered Official Gazette, it is announced that WITHHOLDING declaration that should be provided due to tax legislation and MONTHLY PREMIUM & SERVICE DECLARATION which should be provided due to 5510 numbered Social Securities and General Health Insurance Law, are to be combined under a single return called “Withholding Tax and Premium Service Return”. Afterward, this transition process is delayed several times because of technological infrastructure and practical difficulties. Most recently, the implementation is extended to the date of 01.10.2018 with the revision on the “General Statement on the Withholding Tax Return and Monthly Premium & Service Declarations” (Item No:1) published within 30345 numbered and 29.05.2018 dated Official Gazette by the Ministry of Finance.

On the Official Gazette numbered 30534 dated 13.9.2018, it has been announced with the Presidential Decree numbered 85 to make amendments on the recently announced Decree Law numbered 32 “The Protection of the Turkish Currency”.

According to the newly announced Decree, the below shall be applicable starting as of 13/9/2018:

• It is prohibited to have foreign currency-based contracts or contracts with foreign currency payment duties for the parties which are located within the borders of Türkiye in relation to all types of property and real estate purchase, sale and lease agreements, vehicle purchase / sale and lease agreements, service, employment and similar agreements. The clause is applicable to all local parties in Türkiye unless the party is announced to have certain exception by the relevant authority.
• As of the date this Law is in force (Sept, 13), within 30 days all the rates, values, prices which are to be agreed on foreign currency, shall be adjusted with Turkish currency (TRY) fees. The clause is applicable to all local parties in Türkiye, unless the party is announced to have certain exception by the relevant authority.

In accordance with the provisional article, Article 75 of the Social Security and General Health Insurance Law the amount of Minimum Wage discount has been decided by the Council of Ministers on 09.04.2018. The details of the new amendments announced with the 2018/11668 numbered circulars, dated 09.04.2018 are listed below;

In accordance with the publication of the Law that was published in the 09.08.2016 dated Official Gazette numbered 29796 it has been announced that the Withholding Tax Return and Monthly Premium & Service Declarations are to be combined under a single return called “Withholding Tax and Premium Service Return”.

On the date of 29.05.2018, the Ministry of Finance has announced a revision on the 30345 numbered Official Gazette in regard to the “General Statement on the Withholding Tax Return and Monthly Premium & Service Declarations” (item number: 4)