18.02.2026 11:55
A new phase has been reached in the tax application for social media content creators. PR gifts and meals consumed during venue promotions are now also included in the taxation scope. Influencers will now pay a 15% tax on the free meals they consume.
In Turkey, the earnings of influencers are taxed under the Income Tax Law. In accordance with the special regulation introduced for social content creators, content producers who meet certain conditions collect their income through bank accounts opened in Turkey with exemption certificates, and a withholding tax of 15% is deducted by banks. This deduction often serves as the final tax.
However, the scope of the application has been expanded. The earning period for influencers is now changing. A 15% tax deduction will also be applied to PR gifts and meals consumed during venue promotions.
HOW IS INFLUENCER TAX CALCULATION DONE?
In influencer tax calculation, the annual income amount is decisive. A content producer benefiting from the tax regulation is taxed at a rate of 15% for earnings up to 5 million 300 thousand TL annually. If this amount is exceeded or the exemption conditions are not met, a progressive income tax rate comes into play, and the tax calculation is made within the framework of general provisions.
In this case, the influencer submits an annual income tax return and is subject to income tax starting from 15% and reaching higher rates based on income brackets.
FREE MEALS AND GIFT TAX FOR INFLUENCERS
The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, and the Advertising Self-Regulation Board collaborated to conduct the fourth "Responsible Social Media Influencers Training" program for influencers. The program addressed many topics, from ethical rules on social media to legal regulations.
According to a report by Recep Aslan from Akşam; it was stated that, in line with the new decisions taken during the training, content producers will also consider PR gifts from brands and meals consumed at venues for promotional purposes as part of their income. Accordingly, influencers will deposit the value of the earnings obtained in exchange for gifts or promotions into their accounts with exemption certificates, and 15% of this amount will be deducted as tax by the bank.