A foreign-owned company in Turkey does not get a separate tax system, but it does inherit a dated filing rhythm from its first month. Who pays 25% or 30% is covered in the Corpenza 2026 rate overview, which deliberately leaves VAT, withholding and the quarterly cycle out of scope. This guide covers exactly that remainder: advance tax periods, dividend withholding remittance, VAT deadlines and the first-year sequence. Primary sources: the Revenue Administration’s 2026 corporate-tax rate guide, the 2026 corporate-tax return guide, the official filing and payment deadlines table and the current VAT rate decision.
Which tax cycles start when the company is registered?
Registration puts a Turkish company into the corporate income tax, advance tax and VAT cycles, and into the withholding cycle once it makes payments subject to withholding, such as salaries or dividends. The Revenue Administration’s 2026 return guide applies the same logic to a foreign company’s Turkish branch: it must be registered for corporate tax, VAT and advance tax, plus withholding where a muhtasar return is required. Foreign shareholding changes none of these deadlines; it mainly adds documentation and treaty questions around cross-border payments.
How does quarterly advance tax (geçici vergi) work?
Corporate taxpayers pay advance tax at the current corporate-tax rate on cumulative quarterly profit, and each return also covers the earlier quarters of the year. For a calendar-year company the official deadline table gives four filing-and-payment dates: first quarter by 17 May, second by 17 August, third by 17 November and fourth by 17 February. Note the recent change: under Law No. 7566, the fourth-period return applies again for taxation periods starting on or after 1 January 2025, so older summaries showing only three advance-tax periods are outdated.
Does advance tax reduce the annual bill?
Yes, with one condition that matters in cash planning. The 2026 return guide states that advance tax is offset against the corporate tax computed on the annual return only if the accrued advance tax has actually been paid. Accrued but unpaid advance tax cannot be credited on the annual return, which is why the four 17th-of-the-month dates belong in the payment calendar, not only in the filing calendar.
When is dividend withholding declared and paid?
The Revenue Administration’s 2026 rate guide states a 15% corporate-tax withholding on profit shares distributed to non-resident companies without a Turkish permanent establishment, under Article 30 of the Corporate Tax Law; adding profit to share capital is not treated as a distribution. The withholding is reported through the monthly withholding and premium service return (muhtasar ve prim hizmet beyannamesi), due with payment by the 26th of the month following the payment month per the official deadline table. Treaty relief is a separate residence-and-documentation exercise, never an automatic discount. For the company-law side of a distribution — approved accounts, reserves and the general-assembly resolution — see the profit distribution and dividend rules guide.
What does the VAT calendar look like?
VAT registration belongs to the start-of-business workstream, before the first taxable invoice; the mechanics are covered in the Turkey VAT registration guide for foreign-owned companies. On rates, the official VAT rate decision sets a general rate of 20%, with 10% and 1% for the goods and services in the annexed lists, in force since 10 July 2023 under Decree No. 7346. On timing, the official deadline table sets the monthly VAT return and payment at the 28th day of the month following the taxation period, based on Tax Procedure Law Circular No. 149. Plan for the return every month once registration is active; a quiet month is not a filing holiday.
When is the annual corporate tax return due?
The annual return is filed from the first day through the last day of the fourth month after the accounting period closes, with payment within the same window. For a calendar-year company, the 2026 return guide gives 1–30 April 2026 for the 2025 accounting period. Companies with a special accounting period count the four months from their own year-end.
How should the first operating year be sequenced?
A workable first-year skeleton: in the registration month, close the tax-office registration and agree the e-invoice and e-ledger position with the accountant. Every month, hold the 26th (muhtasar, when withholding applies) and the 28th (VAT). About seven weeks after each quarter closes, file and pay advance tax by the 17th. After year-end, prepare the close so the annual return can be filed in the fourth month. Before any dividend, line up approved accounts, the distribution resolution and the 15% withholding remittance in the following month’s muhtasar. A missed date in this list is usually a process failure, not a tax-technical one.
FAQ
Does foreign ownership change these deadlines?
No. The calendar is the same as for a domestically owned company. The rate analysis and category exceptions are covered in the 2026 overview linked above.
Are there still only three advance-tax periods?
No. Per the 2026 return guide, the fourth-period return applies again for taxation periods starting on or after 1 January 2025 under Law No. 7566, with the fourth payment due by 17 February.
Is the 15% dividend withholding always the final cost?
It is the domestic rate in the 2026 Revenue Administration guide for distributions to non-resident companies. Treaty relief, recipient status and home-country taxation are separate checks with their own evidence.
When does the first VAT return fall due?
By the 28th day of the month following the company’s first VAT taxation period, per the official deadline table.
To have this calendar built into the company from incorporation — registrations, monthly filings and distribution planning — speak with Corpenza company formation and accounting services — contact Corpenza.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Deadlines and rates can change; verify the live position with the Revenue Administration and the company’s accountant before filing or distributing profit.
