The tax evaders have been revealed! 36,806 individuals owe 915 billion TL.

The statement on the website of the Revenue Administration stated, "The list of taxpayers with tax and penalty debts exceeding 5 million TL, along with the list of assessments that have been finalized between 1/6/2023 and 31/5/2024, with a total amount exceeding 5 million TL, has been made available to the public."

Click here to access the list.

Minister of Treasury and Finance Şimşek recalled that they decided to announce those with tax debts to the state, stating that those with tax debts exceeding 5 million lira would be announced today on the website of the Revenue Administration.

Şimşek provided information that they would announce the indebted taxpayers in two lists, stating that the first list would include finalized taxes and penalties due to assessments made ex officio, while the second list would share unpaid taxes and penalties that have passed their due date with the public.

"THESE ARE EITHER BANKRUPT OR BUSINESSES WITH NO ASSETS"

Şimşek stated that there are 2,464 taxpayers in the "finalized assessments" list and that the total of their finalized taxes and penalties amounts to 53 billion lira, saying, "Of these taxpayers, 419 are real persons, and 2,045 are legal entities. 299 of the taxpayers listed are active, constituting 12.1% of the total taxpayers. The finalized tax and penalty amount for these is 6.3 billion lira. The number of inactive taxpayers is 2,165. The finalized taxes and penalties for these amount to 46.6 billion lira."

Şimşek emphasized that those listed cannot be directly referred to as "tax debtors," stating that the list includes those with deficiencies in tax declarations or those who have not submitted any declarations or have unjustly received tax refunds.

Şimşek pointed out that the payment of these finalized assessments does not prevent their announcement, stating, "Therefore, it should not be confused with the other debtor list. Of course, most of the taxpayers on this list are businesses established for purposes such as issuing fake documents and tax evasion, despite having no real activity. Of the 2,464 taxpayers listed, 1,752 fall into this category. The finalized tax and penalty amount for these is 42.9 billion lira, which corresponds to 81.1% of the total amount announced. This amount has no collectability. Because these are either bankrupt or businesses with no assets, even if there is no bankruptcy decision against them. Their owners also have no assets. Such businesses are generally opened in the name of those who have no assets, and after the purpose is achieved, they disappear."

"FRAUDSTERS WILL BE DETECTED WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE"

Şimşek stated that they have made various legal arrangements to combat such businesses that gain unjust profits by issuing fake documents, but some have been annulled by the Constitutional Court, saying, "New laws have been enacted regarding these, and some of our arrangements have been approved. As part of the efforts to combat the informal economy, we are utilizing artificial intelligence to detect these types of taxpayers who evade the law and commit fraud. We have initiated a project with TÜBİTAK Artificial Intelligence Institute to identify taxpayers with a high risk of issuing fake documents and those with a high risk of unjust refund requests using artificial intelligence technologies. We will now be able to detect businesses established for the purpose of obtaining unjust refunds from the state and issuing fake documents by analyzing many data with artificial intelligence technologies in a very short time, and we can immediately close their tax obligations. This way, we will protect both honest taxpayers and the public interest."

"LONG-STANDING DEBTS"

Şimşek stated that in the second list, an announcement would be made regarding taxes and penalties that have not been paid as of December 31, 2023, with a due date that has passed until September 30, with amounts of 5 million lira and above, saying:

"The number of taxpayers on this list is 36,806. Of these, 7,948 are real persons, and 28,858 are legal entities. 4,807 of these taxpayers are active, constituting 13.1% of the total taxpayer count. The number of inactive taxpayers is 31,999. The total of unpaid taxes and penalties for these taxpayers amounts to 914.9 billion lira. The total debt of active taxpayers is 113.8 billion lira, and their share in the total debt is 12.4%. The debt amount of inactive taxpayers is 801.1 billion lira. Look, of the 36,806 taxpayers we will announce as tax debtors, 30,696 have no collectability for their debts. The total of unpaid taxes and penalties that have passed their due date is 914.9 billion lira, but the amount of receivables with no collectability is also 812.8 billion lira. 88.8% of these receivables have no possibility of collection. These are long-standing debts."

Şimşek clarified why these receivables could not be collected, stating, "These taxpayers or their legal representatives have no assets. All legal actions have been taken against them, but the receivables cannot be collected. As long as they are not subject to statute of limitations, they remain in the legal records of the state. Sometimes, they also lead to criticisms regarding the collection accrual rates."

"WORKING DILIGENTLY FOR THE COLLECTION OF TAX RECEIVABLES"

Minister Şimşek stated that they are working diligently on the collection of tax receivables, noting:

"Taxes are the most important source of income for the state. Therefore, timely payment is extremely important. We carry out all enforcement proceedings against those who do not pay their tax debts. We also assist our taxpayers who are well-intentioned but find themselves in a difficult situation in paying their debts through installment plans. There may be taxpayers who work and produce but find it very difficult to pay their debts. For the 113.8 billion lira that can be collected, our tax offices are in contact with all taxpayers and providing the necessary facilities for them to pay their debts.