VAT in Turkey

For a foreign-owned company in Turkey, VAT, known locally as KDV, touches almost every invoice it issues or receives, so the setup matters from the first sale. The questions are which rate applies to each product or service, how VAT paid on purchases is recovered, how exports and services to customers abroad are treated, and how the invoices themselves are issued and stored. The Revenue Administration gives the general rate as 20%, in force from 10 July 2023, with rates of 1% and 10% for the goods and services in its annexed lists, so ask a firm which list, if any, covers what you sell.

Firms offering VAT in Turkey

Ozbek CPA

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Istanbul

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +6 more

Languages: English · Turkish

View profile of Ozbek CPA

BDO Turkey

Accounting firm · International network

Ankara

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: Turkish · English

View profile of BDO Turkey

Celikel CPA

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Istanbul

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +5 more

Languages: English · Turkish · Russian · Chinese …

View profile of Celikel CPA

Monetics

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Ankara

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +6 more

Languages: English · Turkish

View profile of Monetics

TaxEurope

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Istanbul

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: Turkish · English

View profile of TaxEurope

42 more firms offering VAT in Turkey

Questions on KDV for a prospective firm

Ask whether VAT returns are part of the monthly fee and who prepares them from your invoices. If you export goods or sell services abroad, ask how the firm handles the refund of input VAT that builds up, how long refunds have taken for similar clients and which documents it needs from you. Ask whether your company will issue electronic invoices, and if so who sets up and watches the system. For a company in a free zone, ask how the treatment differs from a company outside it.

Firms on Accountanty

Accountanty lists 66 firms in Turkey that offer VAT services: 63 accounting firms, two law firms and one corporate service provider. Fifty-five are small, seven part of large networks and four medium-sized. English is offered by 42 and Turkish by 41, and 35 have a foreign-client focus. Construction is named by seven, e-commerce by six and manufacturing by five, and 13 work with free zone companies. The largest groups are in Istanbul, with 37, and Ankara, with 19, while Antalya has ten. VAT returns are built from the books, so see also accounting in Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign-owned company in Turkey recover VAT on its purchases?

In general, VAT paid on business purchases is set against VAT charged on sales, and exporters can claim refunds under specific procedures. Ask a firm how it documents your purchases and what a refund claim involves for your activity.

Is the Turkish VAT return included in the monthly accounting fee?

It depends on the firm. Some include it, others charge separately for returns or for refund files, which take more work. Only one of the 66 firms publishes pricing, so ask each to list what its fee covers.

Other services in Turkey

Accountants by city in Turkey

Setting up a company in Turkey: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.