Ministry takes action following complaints: Penalties for businesses demanding IBAN payments have been determined!

Recently, businesses have begun requesting payments via IBAN instead of credit or debit cards, citing the increase in credit card commissions.

Following an increase in citizen complaints due to this behavior by businesses, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance has begun auditing transfers coming into all business accounts via IBAN.

The penalties to be imposed on these businesses have been determined.

Businesses that receive payments via bank account but do not issue a receipt will be fined 3,400 TL for each receipt, while those that do not issue an invoice will be subject to a special irregularity penalty of 10 percent of the amount that should have been on the document, with a minimum of 3,400 TL per invoice. Tax audits will be conducted because they have caused the state to lose tax revenue.

Tax audits are also being carried out because tax losses were caused by undeclared revenue, or period tax bases are being assessed based on the findings, and tax penalties are being imposed.

NOT ONLY BUSINESS OWNERS BUT ALSO RENTED ACCOUNTS ARE BEING AUDITED

According to a report by Sabah, which is known for its proximity to the government, transfers coming into businesses and all accounts associated with the business via IBAN are being examined. Not only the accounts of business owners but also the accounts of their relatives and employees, as well as accounts used through renting, are being audited. Data such as bank account movements, land registry, and vehicle records are being used as a basis.

Those who leave their actual earnings undeclared are being included in the scope of the audit. Bank accounts obtained through renting are also being examined within the framework of MASAK legislation in the context of actions containing criminal elements such as terrorist financing, money laundering, and illegal betting.

The Ministry of Trade also recently issued a warning against social engineering fraud, particularly IBAN rental advertisements, stating, "Allowing a bank account to be used by other people in exchange for financial gain constitutes a crime under the Law on Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime."

News Source: 12punto