From police to traffic, taxes to the press: The omnibus law passed by the Turkish Parliament has been published in the Official Gazette

The "Law on Amendments to Certain Laws," accepted by the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), has been published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. Within the scope of the law, changes were made in many areas ranging from the police force to tax practices, and from the Press Advertisement Agency to the sale of municipal real estate.

PROVISIONS REGARDING THE POLICE FORCE UPDATED

With the law, the staff ratios regarding the ranks of police chief, police superintendent, chief commissioner, commissioner, and assistant commissioner in the Police Organization Law have been reorganized.

Furthermore, individuals who were dismissed from police training institutions due to not meeting health requirements, and who were subsequently removed from civil service for health reasons after graduating following a court decision, have been granted the opportunity to be reappointed to public service in the General Administrative Services Class upon application.

CHANGES IN FOREST AREAS AND TAX PRACTICES

With the amendment made to the Forest Law, care and rehabilitation centers for disabled and elderly individuals have been included among the facilities that can be permitted in state forests.

With the regulation in the Income Tax Law, a revenue-based taxation option has been introduced for taxi operators who document their revenue via mandatory taxi taximeters, should they request it. Gains obtained from the sale of taxi, dolmuş (shared taxi), minibus, and shuttle plates owned by taxpayers taxed under the actual method have also been included in the scope of income tax exemption.

NEW CRITERIA FOR INTERNET NEWS SITES AT THE PRESS ADVERTISEMENT AGENCY

With the amendment made to the Law on the Establishment of the Press Advertisement Agency, it has been decreed that criteria such as the number of news items, content, staff, number of readers, and publication duration for internet news sites that publish official announcements and advertisements shall be determined by the General Assembly of the Press Advertisement Agency.

The obligations of internet news sites will also be evaluated within the framework of the provisions applied to newspapers and magazines.

Sanctions to be applied to newspapers, magazines, and internet news sites that have the right to publish official announcements and advertisements have also been reorganized. In case of violation of the obligations specified in the law, an official announcement and advertisement suspension penalty may be applied depending on the nature of the violation, and sanction periods may be increased for repeated violations.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION SYSTEM EXPANDED

With the amendment in the Tax Procedure Law, the scope of individuals and institutions required to use the electronic notification system has been redefined.

Accordingly, corporate tax payers, income tax payers taxed under the actual method, collective and ordinary limited partnerships, and individuals registering certain motor vehicles for the first time will be included in the electronic notification system. Those who have reached the age of 65 and certain individuals who make a request may exit the system if they meet the specified conditions.

DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS FOR CENTRAL BANK PERSONNEL

With the articles added to the Law on the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, the disciplinary provisions to be applied to bank personnel have been regulated in detail in the law.

While the scope of penalties such as warning, reprimand, short-term and long-term salary deduction, and dismissal has been determined; procedures regarding disciplinary investigations, objection processes, and suspension from duty have also been brought into a legal framework.

INSTALLMENT OPTION FOR MUNICIPAL REAL ESTATE SALES

With the amendment made to the State Tender Law, the way has been paved for the sale of real estate belonging to special provincial administrations, municipalities, and local government unions in installments.

According to the new regulation, at least 25 percent of the sale price will be collected in advance, and the remaining amount can be paid in 12 installments within a maximum of two years.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION PERIOD EXTENDED TO 15 BUSINESS DAYS

With the amendment made to the Highway Traffic Law, the period applied for vehicle registration, which was three business days, has been increased to 15 business days.

While some exemption provisions in the Value Added Tax Law were updated, the application period of a temporary article was also extended until December 31, 2028.

NEW REGULATIONS IN THE POLICE TRAINING SYSTEM

With the amendments made to the Police Higher Education Law, the conditions for admission to police faculties, physical proficiency and interview principles, and vertical transfer provisions have been reorganized.

In addition, provisions regarding the duties and organizational structure of the Police Chiefs Training Center have been added to the law.

Within the scope of the law, various changes were also made to the Petroleum Market Law, the Law on the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, and the Law on the Protection of the Consumer. Most of the regulations entered into force on the date they were published in the Official Gazette.

News Source: 12punto