Haluk Levent reacts to high VAT on earthquake housing

One of the figures who took action and stepped up following the massive destruction caused by the February 6 earthquakes, which affected 10 provinces simultaneously, was Haluk Levent, president of the AHBAP Association.

Levent, who pledged to build housing for earthquake survivors who lost their homes with the support of association members and donors—and who fulfilled that promise—stated in a social media post that they are facing high VAT rates while trying to extend a helping hand. 

Haluk Levent issued a call to all political parties, primarily the ruling party, and used the following expressions:

"Three years ago, there were fires all over my country. 

And as the Ahbap Association, we had brought in a firefighting helicopter.

It worked for 18 days during the Marmaris fires.

At that time, we paid nearly 1 million Euros.

But the situation that left us most astonished was the 200,000 Euro withholding tax we paid to the state.

They said it was the legislation.

We researched it, and it turned out to be true.

Unfortunately, there was nothing the civil servant could do at that moment.

We swallowed it.

After the February 6 earthquake, we built hundreds of houses.

And we continue to build.

The 1 percent VAT we all expected became 20 percent.

We found money from here and there, we paid it, and we are still paying.

We researched it again.

Again, the legislation.

Always the legislation.

This is my call to all political parties, especially the ruling party.

I know a legislative change is required for this situation.

At the very least, improvements should be made to VAT and withholding tax rates for associations and institutions that are trying to do their best for the public good and the benefit of the people.

Please."

Three years ago, there were fires all over my country.
And as the Ahbap Association, we had brought in a firefighting helicopter.
It worked for 18 days during the Marmaris fires.
At that time, we paid nearly 1 million Euros.
But the situation that left us most astonished was the 200,000 Euro...

— Haluk Levent (@haluklevent) July 11, 2024

KIZILAY TENTS WERE SOLD FOR MONEY DURING THE EARTHQUAKE

Haluk Levent, who is currently trying to pay the VAT amounts for the houses built for aid purposes and is expressing his reaction because of this, had previously applied to Kızılay (Turkish Red Crescent) to provide tents to earthquake survivors after the February 6 earthquake, and had to pay money to purchase the tents that citizens needed from an institution established for aid purposes. Just as he is doing now, Haluk Levent reacted to these actions at the time and used the following expressions in a live broadcast he attended:

"Currently, containers are being settled. Starting tomorrow, citizens will be moved in. I had mentioned the Kızılay tents before. These tents were not sold only to AHBAP. They were sold to three or four organizations. AHBAP saw this and bought them immediately; we think we did the right thing in this regard.

People were dying here. They were freezing. People couldn't even carry their dead. Yes, AFAD had arrived, but there were many shortages; no one could keep up. People needed tents here, and I couldn't find tents because some were exploiting the situation and hoarding them. The tents we ordered only arrived today, but the tents bought from Kızılay were immediately available.

I didn't have the luxury at that moment to say 'this is from Kızılay' or 'that is from here or there.' I learned that Kızılay was selling them, and I didn't have the time to question it at that moment."

News Source: 12punto