The Turkish Government announced new tax increases on the 1st of January 2015.
The tax increases were announced in the Official Gazette of Turkey
The government has increased the amount of Special Consumption Tax imposed on tobacco and alcohol and has increased the amount of fees, stamp taxes and official fines for traffic and tax offence's.
According to the new regulations on Special Consumption Tax, rates for alcohol and tobacco were increased. The tax hike is expected to increase the prices of alcohol by 10 to 25 % and cigarette prices by 3 to 15 %.
The largest minimum fixed tax increase was made on Raki, with 15 %, followed by gin and vodka with 12 %, and wine, beer and others with 10 %.
The fixed tax for tobacco products was increased from TL 0.1366 to TL 0.1866.
Motor vehicle taxes for passenger cars with engines between 1,300-1,600 cc will increase from 859 to 946 TL.
The fine to be paid by drivers who go 30 % of less over the speed limit will be 189 TL. Drivers who exceed the limit by over 30 % will pay 392 TL. The fine for running a red light will rise from 172 to 189 TL.
Penalties for drunk drivers will be 800 TL for first-time offenders and 1,003 TL for second-time offenders.
The cost of a Turkish passport for a one-year period is set to increase from 140.50 to 154.70 TL.
The government also announced new minimum wage increases of 5% for all workers.
The net minimum wage increased to 846TL in the first half of 2014 with a further 6% rise to follow.
The net monthly minimum wage was announced at 949 TL Dec. 30 for the first half of 2015 and 1,000 TL for the second half of the year.
Source Hurriyet
