# Tax Advisory > From monthly tax filings to formal tax inquiry procedures, from correctly applying exemptions and incentives to tax planning, we manage your tax processes end to end. Source: https://sinemyavuz.com.tr/en/services/tax-advisory Author: Sinem Yavuz, Certified Public Accountant (SMMM) — SMMM Sinem Yavuz: Finance, Accounting & Advisory Office Tax advisory isn't just about filling out returns. Applying the right exemption at the right time, documenting a transaction correctly, or responding properly to a formal tax inquiry letter — all of this protects your business from unnecessary tax burden and penalty risk. ## What's Included **Periodic tax returns:** We prepare your monthly VAT, quarterly provisional tax, and annual Corporate/Income Tax returns accurately and on time. **Formal tax inquiry management:** We respond to formal inquiry letters ("İzaha Davet") from the tax office on time, with the documentation needed to resolve them in the taxpayer's favor. **Exemption and incentive analysis:** We identify applicable programs — the young entrepreneur exemption, export exemption, or sector-specific incentives — and manage the application process. **Tax audit support:** If you face a tax audit or objection process, we stand by you in preparing the necessary documents and managing the process correctly. ## Filing Deadlines According to the Revenue Administration's deadline table, the main deadlines are: VAT returns by the 28th of the following month, VAT-2 (withholding liability) returns and payment by the 25th, Withholding & Premium Service Returns by the 26th (for taxpayers on the 3-month period, the 26th of April, July, October and January), and provisional tax by the 17th of February, May, August and November. All are due by 23:59; if the last day falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the end of the next working day. ## Why It Matters Not knowing about an available exemption or deduction can mean paying more tax than necessary. On the other hand, missing an obligation carries the risk of a retroactive assessment with penalties. The goal of tax advisory is to minimize both risks at once. ## How We Support This We plan each client's tax calendar specifically around their sector and company type. We proactively evaluate exemption or incentive opportunities that arise during the year, and flag risky areas in advance. ## Who Is It For? - Sole proprietors and companies with monthly and periodic filing obligations - Taxpayers who have received an invitation to explain or a tax/penalty notice from the tax office - Anyone who wants to know whether they qualify for the young entrepreneur, export or service export exemptions - Freelancers and software companies serving clients abroad - Businesses that want to see the tax consequences of a new business model before switching to it ## When a Different Route Is Needed - Once a dispute reaches the tax court, we recommend working with a tax lawyer; we prepare the financial and documentary side of the file. - The certification report required for VAT refunds above the statutory threshold is issued by a sworn financial advisor (YMM). - Sham transactions aimed at tax evasion or the use of false documents are never part of our advisory work. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is an invitation to explain, and how quickly must I respond? An invitation to explain (izaha davet) is a request from the tax office for an explanation of an inconsistency it has found in a return or transaction (Tax Procedure Law, Art. 370). A written explanation must be submitted within 15 days of notification. If it is found sufficient, no penalty is imposed; if not, a corrective return can be filed within the additional period set by the Law, with a reduced tax loss penalty. As the deadline is short, we recommend reviewing the documents together as soon as the letter arrives. ### I found an error in my tax return. What should I do? If the error is noticed before the tax administration detects it, a corrective return can be filed under the voluntary disclosure (pişmanlık) provisions of Article 371 of the Tax Procedure Law. In that case no tax loss penalty is imposed; the unpaid tax is paid together with a late payment surcharge. Voluntary disclosure does not apply once an audit has started or a report has been filed. ### What happens if I file a return late? A return not filed on time incurs an irregularity penalty under Article 352 of the Tax Procedure Law, and if the tax is paid late, late payment interest accrues under Law No. 6183. Penalty amounts are updated each year by the revaluation rate. If the last day of the filing period falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the end of the next business day. ### How can I challenge a tax or penalty notice? A lawsuit can be filed at the tax court within 30 days of notification of the notice. Alternatively, where the conditions are met, you can request a settlement with the tax office: pre-assessment settlement (Tax Procedure Law, additional Art. 11) and post-assessment settlement (additional Art. 1) are separate routes. Because matters settled cannot later be taken to court (Tax Procedure Law, additional Art. 9), choosing the right route from the start matters. ### What is advance tax, and who pays it? Advance tax (geçici vergi) is a prepayment made in quarterly periods, credited against annual income or corporate tax. Businesses with commercial income, self-employed professionals and corporate taxpayers pay it; taxpayers under the simplified method and those with only salary or rental income do not. Filing and payment are due on the 17th of February, May, August and November. ### How can I find out whether a tax exemption applies to me? Exemptions depend on the person and the activity. For example, the young entrepreneur exemption under Article 20/B of the Income Tax Law applies to first-time taxpayers under 29; exporters may use the exemption in Article 11 of the VAT Law; and those serving clients abroad may use the service export exemption under Article 12/2 of the VAT Law. Most exemptions require the conditions to be met before starting business.