Income Tax General Circular No. 334, published on July 4, 2026, establishes the procedures and principles governing significant income and stamp tax benefits for qualified personnel employed in certain regions and centers within our country.
Here are all the details regarding the companies, regions, employee profiles, and eligibility requirements covered by this regulation:
Which Companies Are Included?
Employers eligible for this regulation are primarily the "Qualified Service Centers" defined in the relevant legislation. These companies are as follows:
- Qualified service centers defined and operating under the Direct Foreign Investment Law No. 4875.
- Qualified service centers that continue their operations by obtaining a participant certificate.
In Which Regions Is It Valid?
The rates of the tax exemption vary depending on the region where the company is located. The special regions where the exemption applies and the benefits are enhanced are as follows:
- Industrial zones established under the Industrial Zones Law No. 4737 and deemed appropriate by the President based on the concentration of foreign investment in the region.
- Istanbul Financial Center.
What Types of Employees Are Eligible?
This tax benefit applies not to all employees of a company, but only to roles that require specific expertise and qualifications:
- Employed in the regions and centers listed above "qualified service staff" Employees with this status are eligible for this exception.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements and Scope of Coverage?
To qualify for this exemption, there are specific rules regarding the nature and amount of the income:
- Whether the Income Constitutes "Wages": In addition to the monthly fixed salaries paid to employees, all overtime pay, bonuses, allowances, reimbursements for expenses, and benefits provided in the form of money are considered "compensation" for the purposes of the exemption calculation.
- 3-Story Exemption Limit: The portion of the wages of employees working at qualified service centers established under Law No. 4875 that is up to three times the gross minimum wage is exempt from income tax.
- 5-fold Increase in the Exemption Limit: For employees working in industrial zones approved by the President and in qualified service centers located in the Istanbul Financial Center, this exemption limit applies to wages up to five times the gross minimum wage.
- Status of Cross-Border Earnings: If an employee’s total monthly compensation exceeds the applicable 3- or 5-fold exemption limit, only the portion exceeding that limit is taxed in accordance with general provisions. The amount remaining below the limit is fully exempt from tax.
- Stamp Duty Benefit: Under the Income Tax Law, the stamp tax exemption also applies to portions of wages that are exempt from income tax. Amounts exceeding the exemption threshold, however, will be subject to both income tax and stamp tax.