The Ministry of Finance has put doctors who declare low income under the spotlight. It was found that 3,633 doctors had an undeclared revenue of 13 billion liras. An example revealed a doctor who reported 7 million liras instead of the actual 69 million liras earned from hair transplants. Similarly, another dentist declared 3 million liras instead of the actual 67 million liras in revenue.

The Revenue Administration Presidency of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance launched an investigation into some private clinic owners in the first stage, revealing that 3,663 doctors did not account for approximately 13 billion liras in revenue from procedures like examinations, aesthetics, surgeries, and dental treatments. Information obtained from the Ministry indicates that inspections targeting professions and sectors engaging in undeclared activities are being intensively carried out. Through the usage of artificial intelligence-supported analysis programs, tax declarations and income levels of taxpayers operating in private clinics who are also doctors were scrutinized. The investigations uncovered discrepancies of up to 400% between the declared income and the actual earnings of certain doctors who did not fully reflect their exam fees and the earnings from procedures like aesthetics, surgeries, and dental treatments. Among the doctors displaying inconsistencies between their tax returns and incomes, 3,663 taxpayers were identified initially as the most high-risk individuals. It was understood that these taxpayers left approximately 13 billion liras in revenue undeclared.

MASSIVE DISCREPANCIES IN SURGICAL REVENUES
Among doctors operating in fields like general surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery, it was discovered that they inadequately reported the fees they received for surgeries and examinations.

In particular, surgeons who work in collaboration with private hospitals or have their own clinics were found to conceal earnings that should be taxed by lowering the reported surgery fees. For instance, a gynecologist was found to have undeclared an annual income of 53 million liras, which was instead reported as 6.5 million liras. Examination of dentists revealed that incomes from procedures like implants, prosthetics, orthodontics, and aesthetic treatments were inadequately reported. Despite earning an annual revenue of 67 million liras, one dentist was found to have reported only 3 million liras.

SURVEILLANCE ON AESTHETIC REVENUES
In recent years, the rapidly growing aesthetic sector has also come under scrutiny.

Investigations found that some doctors providing services like nose jobs, fillers, Botox, and liposuction were inadequately declaring their earnings. Particularly, a significant portion of income at some aesthetic clinics that accept patients from abroad and operate in foreign currency was left undeclared.

Through this operation, it was discovered that a hair transplant specialist reported an annual income of 7 million liras despite earning 69 million liras in revenue. Tax authorities have begun inviting taxpayers who earn undeclared income to voluntarily declare their revenues at tax offices. At the initial stage of this operation, 850 doctors voluntarily corrected their tax declarations by submitting their tax returns.

“OUR GOAL IS NOT TO PUNISH ANYONE”
Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek stated that for taxpayers who do not report or underreport their earnings, it is critical to engage with tax offices under voluntary compliance efforts to avoid severe penalties. Emphasizing that voluntary compliance efforts provide an opportunity for taxpayers to explain the issues raised by tax authorities, Şimşek said, “Our goal is not to punish anyone but to tax undeclared income. Tax inspections or, alternatively, earnings for the period are determined by assessment commissions for taxpayers who do not show compliance in the voluntary adjustment process regarding their undeclared income. Our aim is to ensure justice and efficiency in taxation. Undeclared income is the greatest injustice. Our resolute fight against this issue will continue.”