Türkiye’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance’s Tax Inspection Board (VDK) announced a record-breaking public revenue collection in 2023, amounting to ₺124 billion ($4.6 billion), excluding late payment interest.
According to ministry sources, the VDK conducted extensive audits last year, targeting high-income taxpayers, individuals engaging in luxury spending without visible income, social media influencers, and those using IBAN transfers to evade taxation.
The board also carried out inspections in sectors such as jewelry and iron-steel, among others.
The audits uncovered a tax base discrepancy of ₺159.75 billion ($5.9 billion), leading to the imposition of ₺40.02 billion ($1.5 billion) in taxes and ₺80.41 billion ($3 billion) in penalties.
As a result, public receivables generated through tax inspections reached a record level of ₺120 billion ($4.4 billion).
The Ministry’s efforts have primarily aimed at addressing the informal economy. Significant attention was also given to businesses that raised prices without reflecting these increases in their taxable income, despite no apparent rise in costs.
‘We’ll do whatever it takes to ensure tax justice’
Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek highlighted the ministry’s determination to crack down on tax evasion on his X post on Sunday, stating:
Our inspections target taxpayers who hide their earnings off the record. These audits and checks will continue until all taxpayers are brought into the system. For those earning substantial amounts but underreporting or evading taxes, we’re doing—and will continue to do—whatever it takes to ensure compliance. Justice and efficiency in taxation remain our guiding principles.
Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek
Minister Simsek emphasized that combating tax evasion is carried out using effective methods across all sectors and reassured that honest taxpayers will always have the ministry’s support.
