Umut Akdoğan reacts to mobile phone taxes: '120 thousand liras of a 230 thousand lira phone is tax'

YENİ Party Ankara MP Umut Akdoğan has reacted to the taxes levied on mobile phones in Turkey.

Akdoğan stated that for a foldable phone reported to be sold for 230 thousand liras, the tax-free price is approximately 110 thousand liras, while the remaining 120 thousand liras consist of taxes and deductions.

Akdoğan noted that this amount includes approximately 65 thousand liras in Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV), 40 thousand liras in VAT (KDV), 13 thousand liras in TRT banderole fees, and 1,000 liras as a Ministry of Culture share.

One side of the foldable phone belongs to the user, and the other side belongs to the state. 110 thousand liras of the 230 thousand liras is the phone. The remaining 120 thousand liras go to taxes.

Stating that sales tax in the US varies between 6 and 8 percent depending on the state, Akdoğan argued that the same phone can be purchased there for approximately 103-104 thousand liras.

He expressed that the tax burden added to the device price in Turkey makes access difficult for consumers.

Akdoğan stated that young people's access to technology should be facilitated, adding that under their government, no tax would be collected on the first phones of young people, and that ease of access to technological products would be provided.