Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mehmet Şimşek, emphasized the fight against the informal economy and cautioned all tradesmen and businesses to provide the opportunity for payment with either bank cards or credit cards. Şimşek pointed out that there has been a change in the special irregularity penalty, with the fine amount increased to 200,000 Turkish Liras.

Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek evaluated the efforts conducted by the Revenue Administration against businesses that do not accept card payments. Şimşek indicated that numerous practices have been put into effect by the ministry to enhance the combat against the informal economy. Under this scope, the POS devices enabling payment through bank cards in retail businesses and establishments providing goods and services were combined with the payment recording devices that issue receipts. Şimşek highlighted that the newly developed next-generation payment recording devices within this framework facilitate the issuance of a single document in the form of a slip and receipt for payments made with bank cards, preventing sales from remaining unrecorded. Additionally, Şimşek mentioned that they are working on some taxpayers who still use outdated devices and do not accept credit cards for payments. He underscored that with a directive published at the end of last year, it was stipulated that all taxpayers must acquire next-generation payment recording devices by July 1, 2024, and must obligatorily accept payment through bank cards or credit cards via these devices. “SPECIAL IRREGULARITY PENALTIES ISSUED” Şimşek recorded the following regarding the new regulation: “From now on, all retail businesses providing goods and services must use next-generation payment recording devices and must offer the opportunity for payment through bank cards or credit cards. In audits conducted by the Revenue Administration, special irregularity penalties are issued to taxpayers who do not acquire next-generation payment recording devices or do not provide the option for payment through bank cards or credit cards. We observe that some businesses demand higher amounts compared to cash payments, citing the high commission rates of banks. It is crucial that our taxpayers do not choose to request the commission difference from citizens based on this reasoning.” However, Şimşek drew attention to the fact that the difference requested can sometimes be significantly higher than bank commission rates, noting that commission rates can vary among banks and the time it takes to collect the amount from the bank can influence this rate. REPORT TO THE REVENUE ADMINISTRATION Şimşek conveyed that he has observed a decrease in some bank rates to below 2% recently, stating, “In this context, if citizens who are not offered the option for payment through bank cards or credit cards or are asked for a significant additional amount report this to our Revenue Administration, inspections are carried out, and necessary punitive measures are implemented. Citizens can report through various channels such as the Digital Tax Office, GİB Mobile application, BİP, or Whatsapp.” “FINE AMOUNT INCREASED TO 200,000 LIRAS” Şimşek pointed out that the Revenue Administration issues separate penalties to both taxpayers who are required to acquire next-generation payment recording devices and are only provided with POS devices by banks and payment institutions for each detection. He stated: “With the latest legislative amendment, the penalty amount has been raised to 200,000 Turkish Liras. This amount will be increased annually based on the revaluation rate. The Administration has written official letters to all banks and payment institutions, demanding the cessation of using these erroneous POS devices, the acquisition of these devices by taxpayers, and the provision of next-generation payment recording devices instead. Banks and payment institutions that fail to make this change within the given period will be fined for each detection again. Our Ministry continues its efforts to combat informality in the retail trade sector with determination and without interruption. Through these efforts, we enhance the deepening of measures aimed at increasing justice and effectiveness in taxation.”