Can foreign nationals own a company in Turkey without a local partner?

Yes. Turkish legislation allows foreign individuals and foreign companies to own a business in Turkey with no requirement for a local partner. You may hold the entire share capital of a Limited Liability Company (LTD) or a Joint Stock Company (AŞ) as a foreign investor. The process is governed by the Turkish Commercial Code and the Foreign Direct Investment Law (No. 4875), both of which protect the rights of international investors.

Do I need to travel to Turkey to register my company?

No. You can authorize a licensed representative to act on your behalf by issuing a Power of Attorney at a Turkish consulate in your country. This legal document allows all required steps to be completed, including notary procedures, trade registry filings, and tax office enrollment, without your physical presence.

Which company type is best suited for small and mid-sized foreign businesses?

The Limited Liability Company (LTD Şirketi) is the most commonly chosen structure for small to mid-sized foreign businesses. It offers limited liability protection, flexible management rules, and a lower minimum capital requirement of 50,000 TL. For larger operations or businesses that plan to issue shares, the Joint Stock Company (AŞ) is generally more appropriate, with a minimum capital of 250,000 TL.

How quickly can a newly registered company start operating?

A Limited Liability Company can typically be fully registered and operational within five to seven business days, provided all required documents are prepared correctly. Joint Stock Companies may take ten to fourteen business days due to additional capital deposit requirements and shareholder formalities.

What initial documents will I need to provide?

The standard documents include a notarized translation of your passport, a Turkish potential tax identification number, your chosen company name and official address, and a Power of Attorney if you will not be present in Turkey. Depending on your company type and whether you have corporate shareholders, additional documents such as apostilled corporate resolutions or registry extracts may be required.

What happens if a company does not keep regular accounting records in Turkey?

Under the Turkish Commercial Code, all registered companies are legally required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file monthly or quarterly tax declarations, submit SGK reports for employees, and prepare annual financial statements. Failure to meet these obligations can result in administrative fines, tax penalties, and potential legal action. In serious cases, company directors may face personal liability.

How are corporate income tax and VAT calculated in Turkey?

Corporate Income Tax is levied on a company's net annual profits at a standard rate of 25% and is declared annually. Value Added Tax (KDV) is applied to goods and services at rates of 1%, 10%, or 20% depending on the category, and is declared monthly. Businesses must also file monthly withholding tax declarations on salary payments and certain service fees.

When should a business consider strategic tax advisory beyond routine bookkeeping?

Routine bookkeeping focuses on recording transactions, preparing declarations, and ensuring compliance with filing deadlines. Tax advisory becomes valuable when you need to optimize your company's tax position, for example when structuring a new investment, distributing dividends, entering into cross-border transactions, or claiming specific deductions and incentives under Turkish tax law.

Licensed Turkish Accounting Firm in Istanbul

Expert Leading Turkish accounting firm & company formation services

As a trusted Turkish accounting firm, we provide certified financial management, secure company registration, and ongoing tax compliance for international investors and businesses operating in the Turkish market.

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What We Do

Comprehensive CPA & Tax Services in Istanbul, Turkey

We provide end-to-end accounting, tax, and advisory services tailored to international businesses and investors in Turkey.

Company Formation

LLC setup, joint-stock companies, branch offices, and liaison offices; including remote formation via power of attorney.

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Accounting Services

Statutory bookkeeping, e-Ledger, financial statements, and monthly/annual reporting under Turkish GAAP and IFRS.

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Tax Services

Corporate tax, VAT, withholding tax returns, tax planning, and representation before the Turkish Revenue Administration.

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Payroll Services

Salary calculation, SGK declarations, work permits, and full HR compliance for local and expatriate employees.

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Audit Services

Independent audit, internal audit support, due diligence, and financial review in accordance with Turkish standards.

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Business Consulting

Strategic advisory, restructuring, company changes, liquidation support, and management consulting for growth.

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Why Celikel CPA

Top Accounting Firm in Istanbul Built on Expertise

As a TURMOB-certified CPA firm and ISMMMO member, we combine deep regulatory knowledge with a fully digital workflow. Every client is paired with a dedicated account manager who communicates in their preferred language; ensuring clear, consistent, and compliant financial management from day one.

TURMOB Certified

Licensed by the Union of Chambers of Certified Public Accountants of Turkey

Multilingual Team

Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese; fluent support in five languages

Fully Digital Workflow

e-Ledger, e-Invoice, e-Declaration; paperless operations across all 81 provinces

IFRS & Turkish GAAP

Dual-standard reporting for companies with international parent structures

Celikel CPA

Reliable Financial Management for International Businesses

We serve companies of every size; from startups entering the Turkish market to established multinationals requiring ongoing compliance and reporting.

17+ Services

5 Languages

81 Provinces

100% Digital

How It Works

Getting Started Is Simple

Four straightforward steps from initial contact to ongoing financial management.

Free Consultation

Tailored Proposal

We prepare a transparent service package and fee schedule customized to your business.

Onboarding

We handle company registration, tax enrollment, and digital system setup on your behalf.

Ongoing Support

Continuous compliance, monthly reporting, and proactive advisory; so you can focus on growth.

Industries

Sectors We Serve

Deep expertise across key sectors, from technology startups to construction and beyond.

Technology & Software

R&D incentives, IP structuring, startup compliance

E-Commerce & Retail

Cross-border VAT, marketplace reporting, inventory accounting

Real Estate & Construction

Project-based accounting, withholding obligations, title deed transfers

Import & Export

Customs compliance, transfer pricing, free zone advisory

Healthcare & Pharma

Sector-specific regulatory compliance and financial reporting

Tourism & Hospitality

Seasonal workforce management, VAT exemptions, incentive compliance

Ready to Simplify Your Finances in Turkey?

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and discover how Celikel CPA can support your business; in the language you prefer.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Celikel CPA provide?

Celikel CPA offers a comprehensive range of financial services including company formation, accounting, bookkeeping, tax compliance, payroll management, audit support, financial consultancy, business consulting, company restructuring and liquidation, foreign investment advisory, free zone services, and work permit assistance. We serve businesses of all sizes across all 81 provinces in Turkey.

Can foreign investors use Celikel CPA services?

Yes. A significant portion of our client portfolio consists of foreign-owned companies and international investors. We provide end-to-end support from company formation to ongoing compliance. For clients who cannot travel to Turkey, we offer remote company setup through power of attorney.

In which languages does Celikel CPA operate?

We serve clients in five languages: Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese. Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager who communicates fluently in their preferred language.

How do I get started with Celikel CPA?

You can schedule a free initial consultation through our contact page or reach us directly via WhatsApp at +90 544 649 40 87. During this meeting, we assess your business needs and propose a tailored service package with transparent pricing.

Does Celikel CPA serve clients across Turkey?

Yes. Thanks to Turkey's e-Government infrastructure and our fully digital workflows (e-Ledger, e-Invoice, e-Declaration), we serve clients in all 81 provinces without geographical limitation.

Is Celikel CPA a certified accounting firm?

Yes. Celikel CPA is a TURMOB-certified CPA firm (Serbest Muhasebeci Mali Musavir) and an active member of ISMMMO (Istanbul Chamber of Certified Public Accountants). We operate in full compliance with all applicable professional standards and regulations.