Watch Out for Underreporting Property Values: The Tax Office Is Watching!
In real estate transactions in Turkey, is the value declared at the land registry the same as the property’s true market value? The Ministry of Treasury and Finance is no longer leaving this question unanswered. Thanks to a new digital system called MEVA, thousands of properties have already been analyzed—and thousands of people are being asked to explain discrepancies.
What Is MEVA and What Does It Do?
MEVA, short for Mekansal Veri Analiz Sistemi (Spatial Data Analysis System), is a software developed by Turkey’s Revenue Administration. It uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to analyze the real market value of properties across the country.
The system gathers data from a wide range of sources, including:
- Land registry records
- Bank loan amounts
- Residency records
- Online real estate listings
In short, MEVA no longer relies solely on the declared value at the title deed office. Instead, it compares that with actual market data, making it much easier to detect underreported property sales or rental income.
Thousands of Properties Reviewed, Thousands Contacted
As of 2025, more than 16,000 properties have been scrutinized through MEVA. In cases where there was a major gap between the declared and market values, 9,150 individuals have been officially contacted and asked to explain the discrepancy.
Here’s the upside: Rather than immediately issuing fines, authorities are offering these individuals a chance to avoid penalties by correcting the record voluntarily.
Early Results of Voluntary Compliance
So far, 2,475 people have taken up the offer, declaring a total value increase of ₺5.9 billion. Based on this, the state collected ₺113.9 million in title deed fees—without any penalties.
However, those who ignored the request or underpaid are now facing tax audits. Any unpaid duties will be collected with a 25% tax penalty.
Rental Income Also Under the Microscope
MEVA isn’t just tracking sales—it’s moving into rental income, too. According to Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, all tax offices will soon have access to MEVA, making it easy to identify rental properties that haven’t been declared.
His message is clear:
“Those who underreport the sale value at the land registry should pay the correct fee voluntarily before being officially questioned.”
The goal is straightforward: combat the unregistered economy and increase voluntary compliance.
What Does This Mean for Buyers and Sellers?
If you’re planning to buy or sell property in Turkey, the days of under-the-table deals and “nobody will notice” attitudes are over. With systems like MEVA, the government is now keeping a close eye on every sale and rental.
While it might come as a surprise to some in the short term, in the long run, it promises a fairer and more transparent real estate market for everyone.
