Turkey Publicly Names Major Tax Debtors as Billion-Lira Liabilities Come to Light

Turkey’s Revenue Administration has once again brought large-scale tax delinquency into the public spotlight, releasing an updated list of taxpayers with confirmed tax debts of 5 million Turkish lira or more. Published nationwide under the framework of the Tax Procedure Law, the disclosure—widely known as the “Tax Defaulters” list—reveals staggering figures running into the billions of lira and includes companies under state trusteeship, controversial business groups, high-profile individuals, and even local municipalities.

The list has been made publicly accessible both on the Revenue Administration (GİB) website and on physical notice boards at tax offices across Turkey. The scale of the debts has quickly made the disclosure a focal point of the economic agenda, reigniting debate over tax compliance, enforcement, and fiscal transparency.

Trustee-Run Companies Dominate the Top of the List

According to reporting by Sabah, the very top of the list is occupied by companies linked to Can Holding, which has been placed under trusteeship. These entities alone account for more than 4 billion Turkish lira in outstanding tax liabilities, making them the largest debtors disclosed.

The two leading companies are:

• TURKTAB Tobacco Products, with tax debts exceeding 4 billion Turkish lira

• TURKTAB Wholesale Tobacco, owing approximately 1.34 billion Turkish lira

These figures place the Can Holding affiliates firmly at the summit of the list, highlighting the scale of unresolved tax obligations associated with trustee-managed firms.

Another major entry involves Arı Bilim İnovasyon Eğitim Hizmetleri A.Ş., the company affiliated with Doğa College, which is currently under the control of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). This company alone carries a tax debt of 625.4 million Turkish lira, adding to the growing total linked to state-seized enterprises.

Well-Known Figures and Controversial Companies Included

Beyond corporate groups, the list features several high-profile individuals and widely known companies, many of which have been associated with past financial scandals or legal proceedings.

One of the most notable names is Cem Uzan, whose tax liabilities, together with those of companies linked to the Uzan family, are reported to exceed 1 billion Turkish lira. Uzan’s inclusion once again draws attention to longstanding disputes involving major business families and unpaid public dues.

Also prominent are companies connected to the Çiftlik Bank fraud case, one of Turkey’s most infamous financial scandals. Following the collapse of the scheme run by Mehmet Aydın—widely known by the nickname “Tosuncuk”—several related firms were placed under trusteeship. Among them:

• Fame Game, with tax debts of approximately 750 million Turkish lira

• Çiftlik Bilgi İşlem, owing around 626 million Turkish lira

These entries underline how unresolved tax liabilities often persist long after criminal cases capture public attention.

Names Linked to the Post-2016 Period

The list also includes individuals and companies associated with the period following the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. Several figures who fled abroad after that date appear among the disclosed taxpayers with substantial tax debts.

These include Ekrem Dumanlı, Hamit Bilici, Mehmet Akif Afşar—one of the owners of Feza Publishing—and Hamit Çiçek, a partner in Kaynak Holding. Their presence on the list highlights how tax enforcement continues to intersect with broader legal and political developments in Turkey.

Municipalities and Public Entities Also Disclosed

Notably, the latest disclosure is not limited to private companies and individuals. Local governments and municipal subsidiaries are also included among the taxpayers with confirmed high-level tax debts.

District municipalities such as Beşiktaş, Esenyurt, Şişli, Başakşehir, and Sarıyer, along with companies affiliated with these municipalities, appear on the list due to outstanding tax obligations. The inclusion of public entities has drawn particular attention, as it raises questions about fiscal discipline, budget management, and intergovernmental accountability.

A Practice Revived After a Long Pause

The Revenue Administration last published a similar list in November of the previous year, marking the revival of a practice that had been dormant for nearly five years. At that time, the disclosure covered 36,806 taxpayers with confirmed tax debts exceeding the 5 million lira threshold.

By once again releasing the list, the authorities signal an intention to reinforce public transparency and deterrence, using disclosure as a tool to encourage compliance and underscore the seriousness of tax obligations.

Transparency, Enforcement, and Public Debate

The renewed publication of the “Tax Defaulters” list has once again fueled debate over whether public disclosure is an effective enforcement mechanism. Supporters argue that naming major debtors strengthens accountability and public trust, while critics question whether disclosure alone is sufficient without faster collection and stronger legal follow-through.

What is clear, however, is that the figures revealed—ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of Turkish lira—underscore the scale of unresolved tax liabilities within the economy. As fiscal discipline remains a priority amid tight monetary conditions, the spotlight on large tax debts is likely to stay firmly in place.