05.05.2026 08:11
The Ministry of Treasury and Finance has launched a comprehensive audit targeting the high-income group as part of the fight against the informal economy. In the study, where particularly athletes' incomes are scrutinized, 5 billion lira worth of undeclared earnings were identified, while the discrepancy between luxurious lifestyles and declared income drew attention.
The Ministry of Treasury and Finance, targeting those living a luxury life without paying taxes, has determined that athletes, in particular, left a total of 5 billion lira of their earnings undeclared.
MAJOR AUDIT OF ATHLETES BY THE MINISTRY OF TREASURY AND FINANCE
Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek explained the latest details of efforts to combat the informal economy. The earnings of 4,716 athletes from different branches were individually investigated. 228 athletes were deemed 'risky' and included in the audit scope.
These analyses were conducted by the Risk Analysis Center of the Tax Inspection Board (VDK). They considered factors including information from public sources, income and expenditure profiles, contract details, and payments made through various means.
Additionally, various types of earnings, including transfer and loan fees, were also subjects of the investigation. It was emphasized that the research considered athletes' unconditional guaranteed income, and the undeclared earnings, which are salary in nature, amounted to 5 billion lira.
A SIGNIFICANT PORTION IS IN THE FOUR MAJOR CLUBS
Speaking to Hürriyet, Minister Şimşek provided information on efforts to combat the informal economy, stating that those living a luxury life despite not being taxpayers are under scrutiny. He invited all taxpayers to fulfill their obligations, saying, "These efforts aim to protect the rights of taxpayers who pay their taxes correctly and on time, ensure fairness in income distribution, and effectively combat informality."
ATHLETES FROM THE FOUR MAJOR CLUBS ARE BEING AUDITED
According to the news in Hürriyet; it was stated that a significant portion of the athletes expected to provide explanations regarding their earnings consists of football players, basketball players, and volleyball players active within professional sports clubs. It was determined that a considerable number of these athletes have contracts with clubs that have the highest sporting success in their respective branches, such as the four major clubs. Last year, the VDK audited 310 athletes who left over 2 billion lira in wage income undeclared, and this year it continued its audits in the same area.
THEY DRIVE FERRARIS AND DON'T PAY TAXES
Some striking profiles among those under surveillance revealed the extent of the situation. It was reported that despite having no tax liability, some of these individuals made purchases of up to 8 vehicles and 24 properties. It was also stated that individuals driving ultra-luxury sports cars such as Bugatti, Ferrari, and Porsche, with market values worth millions of lira, without any tax registration or liability, are also being scrutinized under this program.
In the audit shared by Şimşek, within the scope of the 'High Income Groups Surveillance and Compliance Program-2', the VDK contacted over 16,300 taxpayers who either did not report any income or whose reported income was inconsistent with their expenditures.
OVER 16,300 TAXPAYERS CONTACTED
In the first surveillance and compliance program launched in 2025, 10,000 taxpayers were scrutinized, and as a result of the efforts, taxpayers increased their tax base by 15 billion lira. It was determined that the newly targeted group of 16,300 individuals made 'high-value luxury expenditures'. The risk criteria that flagged individuals in the surveillance program consisted of two main groups.
The first group included taxpayers who were partners in large-scale companies but lived a luxury life despite the company not distributing profits, and whose declared income did not match their standard of living.
The second stage included individuals who, despite having no company partnership, purchased luxury goods such as luxury cars, luxury real estate, yachts, boats, motorboats, and luxury watches, but whose income level, according to central risk analysis, was insufficient to account for these massive expenditures.