Missed an Installment on a Deferred Tax Debt in Turkey? Does the Deferral Collapse?

Missing one installment does not automatically cancel a tax deferral in Turkey, but that protection exists only for debts deferred under Collection Communiqué (Series B, No. 20). Assuming it covers every deferral can make the whole balance due at once.

Which Rule Applies to Which Deferral?

The general rule sits in Law No. 6183, Art. 48: if the deferral conditions are not met, the public receivable becomes immediately due. The Revenue Administration’s (GİB) deferral guide likewise treats any shortfall in an installment or its interest as a breach.

The tolerance comes from Art. 12 of Communiqué B-20, published in Official Gazette No. 33282 on 16 June 2026. The Communiqué opened a special, lower-rate scheme for public receivables that fell due on or before 5 June 2026 (excluding special consumption tax and provisional tax): 29% annual deferral interest and up to 72 months. The application window closed on 31 August 2026, so no new B-20 applications can be filed. Deferrals already granted under it continue.

What Happens If You Miss an Installment?

Under B-20, up to two installments per calendar year may be paid late or short without causing a breach. The condition is that each unpaid installment is paid, with deferral interest calculated to the actual payment date, within the following installment period. If the final installment is missed, it must be paid with interest by the end of the month after its due period.

Situation	Result
One installment late, paid with interest in the next installment period	Deferral continues
Two installments late in one calendar year, both made up in time	Deferral continues
Make-up payment not made in the next installment period	Deferral is breached
A third installment missed in the same calendar year	Deferral is breached
Installment underpaid and the difference not made up	Deferral is breached

Popular summaries say “breach at the third installment.” The Communiqué is more precise: two late installments per calendar year, each made up on time.

If the Deferral Is Breached

On a breach, collateral is liquidated and the balance is collected through enforcement. Late-payment interest is charged from the original due date, and installments you already paid are applied against the debt.

The door is not fully shut. You can apply to the competent authority to have the deferral reinstated. Deferral interest is then calculated from your first application date, and the term granted cannot exceed the maximum available from that date.

Conditions and Collateral

A deferral needs a written request, a showing of severe hardship and collateral. Under Art. 48, if paying on time, or enforced collection, would put the debtor in severe hardship, the debt can be deferred with interest for up to 72 months. Law No. 7582 (Official Gazette, 4 June 2026) raised that ceiling from 36 months.

The statute sets the collateral threshold at TRY 1 million, and Presidential Decision No. 11414 (Official Gazette, 13 June 2026) raised it to TRY 10 million. No collateral is required up to that amount, and half of the excess is required above it. In cases of force majeure declared under Law No. 213, the authority may defer affected debts interest-free or at a lower rate. Applications go through the Digital Tax Office or by form at the tax office.

According to GİB’s 16 June 2026 notice, the general deferral rate is 39% per year, against 29% under B-20. The rate can change by presidential decision, so check GİB’s announcement when you apply.

Deferral Is Not the Same as a Restructuring Law

A deferral spreads payments over time and charges interest; it does not reduce the debt. Restructuring laws such as Law No. 6736 reduce interest, surcharges or penalties on the items the law names,. If both are open to you, compare their total cost in figures.

Accounting Treatment

Deferral interest is booked as an expense but added back in the tax computation. The tax debt itself stays in account 360 (taxes and funds payable); an installment payment debits 360 and credits the bank account. Corporate Income Tax Law Art. 11(1)(d) lists penalties, late-payment interest and interest paid under Law No. 6183 among non-deductible items, so both deferral interest and late-payment interest are added back as non-deductible expenses on the corporate tax return.

Frequently Asked Questions

I forgot one installment. Is my deferral gone?

Not under B-20: pay the missed installment with deferral interest within the next installment period and the deferral continues. Under a general deferral, GİB’s guide treats a shortfall as a breach; confirm with your tax office at once.

How long do I have to make up a missed payment?

For a regular installment, the next installment’s payment period. For the final installment, the end of the month following its period. Interest runs to the actual payment date.

Can I still apply under B-20?

No, the window closed on 31 August 2026. A general deferral application under Art. 48 remains available if you meet the conditions.

Can I defer again after a breach?

Yes, you can apply to have the deferral reinstated. The authority decides.

Keeping the Deferral Schedule Under Control

We check your installment calendar and deferral interest calculation, set make-up dates in advance, and make sure the interest is correctly added back in your return and books. Start with our tax advisory service, and see our bookkeeping service for record keeping. If you are also weighing a receivable-based settlement, see our article on paying tax debt with receivables.