New system for fuel purchases to prevent tax loss: Deadline is January 1st

As of January 1, 2025, the National Vehicle Identification System will be adopted at fuel stations. The system aims to prevent tax losses.

COMBATING UNREGISTERED ACTIVITY IN FUEL

The Revenue Administration, in cooperation with relevant institutions, has taken many steps to combat unregistered activity in the fuel market. Accordingly, the first regulation regarding the connection of cash registers to pumps at fuel stations was made in 2003. Over time, new measures were introduced as abuses of this regulation emerged.

EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE WITH PUMPS PREVENTED

The Administration first increased the security level of cash registers at fuel stations.

These devices were replaced with new-generation pump cash registers that cannot be tampered with from the outside and can share information instantly.

Thus, external interference with the devices was prevented. Information regarding all sales made at fuel stations also began to be transmitted to the administration instantly. During this process, important legal regulations regarding the fuel market were also enacted. Accordingly, it was ensured that invoices are issued at the moment the goods are delivered or the service is performed.

INSPECTIONS TIGHTENED

A requirement was introduced for license applications, amendments, or extension requests to have no overdue premium and administrative fine debts to the Social Security Institution, and no overdue debts to tax offices.

Thus, it was ensured that the applications and requests of those with premium, administrative fine, or tax debts are only fulfilled if their debts are paid.

It was also stipulated that distributors cannot sell fuel they have purchased to another distributor. Furthermore, a requirement was introduced for the sector to issue invoices at the moment the goods are delivered.

EMRA MEASURES INCREASED

The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has also taken significant measures regarding the fuel market.

Measures were taken regarding the authorization by the Authority of legal entities applying for the establishment, implementation, maintenance, and repair of the dealer inspection system.

The sector is also closely monitored through field inspections. In the first 10 months of this year, 293 thousand 966 nozzles at 53 thousand 396 pumps belonging to 4 thousand 475 taxpayers were inspected at fuel and LPG stations.

TRANSITION TO THE NATIONAL VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

Finally, the Revenue Administration issued a regulation regarding the National Vehicle Identification System (UTTS), which will ensure that vehicle license plate information is automatically transmitted to new-generation pump cash registers during fuel purchases.

With the system, the license plates of vehicles purchasing fuel will be automatically reflected on the cash registers via components within the system without being typed manually, and the issuance of receipts for a license plate other than the vehicle receiving fuel will be prevented.

STARTS ON JANUARY 1, 2025

The system will be mandatory for fuel and LPG purchases made for vehicles used by taxpayers for business purposes starting from January 1, 2025. Additionally, vehicles acquired for the first time as of July 1, 2025, will be included in the UTTS scope within one month following their registration, and vehicles using a private vehicle identification system will also be included in the UTTS scope by June 30, 2025.

MINISTER ŞİMŞEK: ILLEGALITY PREVENTED

Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, recalling that they have implemented many regulations and studies to ensure competitive equality in the fuel market and to effectively combat the informal economy, said: “As a result of all these efforts, abuses and illegal acts in the fuel market have been largely prevented. Finally, with the commissioning of the National Vehicle Identification System in a short time, manual license plate entry and thus the issuance of illicit fuel receipts will be prevented, and an important step will have been taken to prevent tax loss at fuel stations.”

DEADLINE UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR

Reminding all segments that will be covered by the application, Şimşek continued as follows:

“Taxpayers operating fuel stations must make at least one pump unit compatible with the system by the end of the year. It is important that fuel stations provide all kinds of support during the establishment and operation of this system.

The responsibility for maintaining the connections made within the scope of the system and ensuring that the system is constantly connected online will belong to the taxpayer operating the fuel station.”

News Source: 12punto