PROPERTY TAX IN TURKEY: WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER

Someone who wants to move to Turkey prefers not to buy propert but to rent - at least for that period, while they are choosing a city and region to their mind. This is especially important when you are moving as a family, and you have to choose a place of residence considering children health (https://turk.estate/question-answer/buying-an-apartment-in-turkey-for-childrens-health/) and educational and social infrastructure for them. Someone buys several apartments or villas to rent them, or becomes the owner of an elite apartment in a good area, rents it out and takes something simpler elsewhere. As we can see, the options are different.

So what do you need to remember in order not to spend extra money? Moreover, is it a must for everyone to pay this tax?

According to the local real estate tax law (Emlak Vergisi Kanunu), people living in a single residence with an area of less than 200 square meters are basically exempt from this tax. Also, real estate tax is not charged in relation to pensioners, housewives, unemployed, disabled people, veterans and some other groups of population (for a complete list, check with lawyers). Moreover, they are not even obliged to even live in their own home: for example, they can live with relatives, which is critical for the elderly.

Moreover, in certain cases, pensioners are not prohibited from renting out their housing and living in another one without paying tax on the existing property, if its footage does not go beyond the agreed framework; however, it is mandatory to fill out the income tax return (again, consult a lawyer).

A pensioner who receives a double pension - their own and for the deceased spouse - is also exempt from paying tax on real estate, the footage which does not exceed 200 square meters, and the real estate itself meets the requirements of a single housing.