The Ministry of Treasury has taken action against those providing services in fields such as fortune-telling, astrology, and mediumship. Initial examinations identified 1,034 taxpayers as risky, with an unreported revenue of 1.8 billion liras. It was found that a person who identified as an astrologer earned 15 million liras but did not pay any taxes. The Treasury and Ministry of Finance focused on those offering services in various areas such as fortune-telling, astrology, spiritualism, mediumship, and horoscope, who did not declare their incomes. The Ministry recently shifted its attention to this issue due to the increasing number of individuals providing services in fields like fortune-telling, astrology, spiritualism, mediumship, cupping-leech therapy, horoscope, magic, meditation, numerology, amulet, and reiki.

Utilizing artificial intelligence for analysis, the Ministry examined the business models of fortune-tellers, astrologers, and spiritualists to probe their income sources. Digital traces, websites, social media interactions, online payment systems, and other data were scrutinized to understand these revenues. It was observed that services such as personal astrological predictions, customized spiritual information, individual birth charts, and Tarot reports were offered through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, messages, WhatsApp and Telegram groups. Interactions through live broadcasts on YouTube and TikTok, along with shares on Facebook and Instagram, were identified to increase the number of followers. These individuals were found to earn money by charging per session, conducting live broadcasts and shares via social media platforms, or providing services such as cleansing, meditation, and therapy during three-day or one-week vacations.

In this regard, individuals providing services in various fields such as fortune-telling, astrology, spiritualism, mediumship, cupping-leech therapy, horoscope, magic, meditation, numerology, amulet, and reiki in the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 were monitored based on their social media activities and financial data. Taxpayers identified as being obliged to declare their income had their reported earnings compared with their declarations. Those operating in the mentioned fields and making profits failed to fulfill their tax obligations were determined. According to preliminary results of the analysis, 1,034 taxpayers were identified as “risky,” with approximately 1.8 billion liras of unreported revenue detected. It was seen that 295 individuals were working without being taxpayers, and procedures for tax liability establishment were initiated.

During the analysis, it was found that an individual working off the books in astrology, providing spiritualist information, preparing personalized birth charts and Tarot reports, organizing interactive live broadcasts on social media platforms, and had earned 15 million liras from these activities. It was noted that this person had not declared this income for tax purposes, despite not being a taxpayer. Following these revelations, taxpayers have been summoned to explain their situations. Taxpayers who do not file returns or correct their previous statements will be subject to tax audits. Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek emphasized the need to tax services such as fortune-telling and astrology, provided personally by individuals, under the scope of freelance activities. He stated, “Our goal is to ensure fairness in taxation, and our fight against unreported income will continue rigorously. The work will also cover revenues obtained in 2024. Taxpayers who comply with the summons by declaring their income will not face severe penalties. Taxpayers should declare their actual earnings before the declaration period expires.”