Üsküdar Municipality responds to 'property tax hike' allegations

Üsküdar Municipality has clarified the allegations regarding property tax increases that have been circulating on social media and presented in some media outlets under "scandal" headlines. The statement reminded that the fair market values of land and plots, which form the basis for property taxes, are not determined by municipalities but by legally established Appraisal Commissions.

The statement issued by the Municipality included the following:

To the press and the public,

A new example of the distortions and relentless slanders that have become classic on social media has been presented to the public with the claim, "We will reveal a major scandal."

Incorrect and false information was put forward regarding the "Property Tax" increases in Üsküdar in the aforementioned post.

"Fair market values are not determined by municipalities"

Accordingly, unit values for land and plots are not determined by the initiative of mayors or municipalities, but by "Appraisal Commissions" established under the Tax Procedure Law No. 213, in accordance with Article 29 of the Property Tax Law No. 1319, titled "Tax Value."

These commissions consist of a municipal representative, tax office representatives, the land registry office, a chamber of commerce representative, and the relevant neighborhood or village headman (muhtar).

The values determined by the Appraisal Commission are submitted to the Higher Board for approval. The Higher Board consists of the Governor or Deputy Governor (Chair), a representative of the Defterdarlık (Provincial Finance Office), a representative of the Land Registry Office, a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, a representative of the Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants, and a representative of the Istanbul Chamber of Real Estate Brokers.

The new fair market values for Üsküdar were approved unanimously by the Higher Board. Therefore, it is legally impossible for any person, institution, or municipality to make an arbitrary increase in these values.

"The increases are part of legal processes applied across Turkey"

The year 2025 is the year in which the fair market values to be applied for the 2026–2029 period are determined. This application is not unique to Üsküdar; it is a legal process carried out simultaneously and in accordance with legislation across Turkey.

"Property tax is applied according to the same principles everywhere in Turkey"

On the other hand, while appraisal work is being carried out, the region's economic development level, transportation and infrastructure facilities, recent real estate sales values, and market activity are taken into account.

At Üsküdar Municipality, the increase rates have followed a parallel course to previous periods and were determined by taking the local real estate market into account.

Furthermore, property fair market values in Üsküdar are still at the level of approximately 35 percent of market sales prices. Property tax is a constitutional obligation and is applied according to the same principles everywhere in Turkey.

"Tax increases will be applied gradually and in a controlled manner"

Property tax bases determined in 2026 will increase by half the revaluation rate in 2027 and subsequent years, in accordance with the current Presidential decree. Thus, the increases will not be one-time, but will be applied in a gradual and predictable manner as specified in the law.

In conclusion, the fair market values that form the basis for property tax are determined through a legal, multi-stakeholder, and transparent process that is not under the initiative of Üsküdar Municipality. We present this to the information of all residents of Üsküdar and the public.

HAD CLAIMED A 700 PERCENT HIKE

Former Üsküdar Mayor Hilmi Türkmen had alleged that the Municipality had imposed a 700 percent hike on property taxes.