As it has been announced in the trade registry gazette dated 31.12.2015, the Minimum Wage Determination Commission has resolved that the daily minimum wage amount will be increased to 54.9 TRY, which equates to a monthly amount of 1,647.00 TRY. Together with the increase in minimum wage, there has also been a revision of the exceptions on premiums related to general health. Previously, individuals who underwent an income analysis and were found to earn 424.50 TRY or less per month were not required to pay premiums related to general health insurance. With the new minimum wage amount, the exemption rule has been revised so that individuals earning up to 549.00 TRY are not required to pay premiums for general health insurance. It is therefore advisable that individuals undergo an additional income analysis by the relevant authorities in their jurisdictions.

a. Minimum Wage

The decision of the Minimum Wage Determination Commission related to the minimum wage amount applicable in 2016 has been published in the Official Gazette dated 31 December 2015 and numbered 29579.

You can access the complete version of the Official Gazette from this link.

With the Cabinet Decision published in the Official Gazette published with the number 29576 on 28th December 2015, the duration for benefitting the incentive for Social Security Premium Employer Share as stipulated in the 10th temporary aticle of Law number 4447, has been extended until 31st of December 2020.

• Income Tax Exempted Food Allowance

Meal allowance tax exemption amount that is applied as of 1st January 2016 was announced in 290 serial numbered Income Tax General Communique on 25.12.2015 with Official Gazette. According to this announcement, meal allowance, which is provided by the employer outside of the workplace and workplace outbuildings as defined in the Income Tax Law's 23rd Articles, exemption amount is defined as 13,70 TL for 2016.