Critical Reminder for Technopark and R&D Companies: Deadline for Venture Capital Investment December 31, 2026

Pursuant to Additional Article 3 of Law No. 4691 on Technology Development Zones and Article 3/14 of Law No. 5746 on Supporting Research, Development and Design Activities, taxpayers benefiting from Technopark income exemptions or R&D/Design deductions above certain thresholds are required to make venture capital investments.

Under Presidential Decree No. 10803, published in the Official Gazette dated December 31, 2025 and numbered 33124 (5th Repeated Issue), the minimum threshold triggering this obligation was increased from TRY 2,000,000 to TRY 5,000,000, effective as of January 1, 2026. The 3% allocation rate and the annual cap of TRY 100,000,000 remain unchanged.

Accordingly, taxpayers who, in the annual income or corporate tax return filed in 2026 for the 2025 accounting period, applied:

• An R&D deduction of TRY 5,000,000 or more,
• A design deduction of TRY 5,000,000 or more, or
• A Technology Development Zone income exemption of TRY 5,000,000 or more

are required to allocate 3% of the amount of the deduction or exemption benefited from to venture capital investments.

Taxpayers falling within the scope of this obligation are required to:

1. Determine the amount of the R&D/Design deduction or Technopark income exemption utilized in the annual tax return for 2025,
2. Calculate 3% of the relevant amount and make the necessary accounting entries in accordance with the applicable legislation,
3. Direct the calculated amount to one of the investment instruments permitted under the relevant legislation,
4. Retain supporting documents evidencing the investment, including fund purchase documents, bank receipts, capital participation documents, and other relevant records.

The amount allocated under the legislation may be used for:

• Purchasing units of venture capital investment funds established to invest in entrepreneurs resident in Türkiye,
• Making capital contributions to venture capital investment companies, or
• Making capital contributions to entrepreneurs operating in incubation centers located within Technology Development Zones, provided that they meet the conditions specified under the relevant legislation.

The venture capital investment obligation arising from the annual tax returns filed in 2026 for the 2025 accounting period must be fulfilled no later than December 31, 2026.

If the obligation is not fulfilled within the prescribed period, part of the R&D/Design deduction or Technopark income exemption provided under the relevant legislation may become unavailable, which may result in additional tax liabilities.

You can review the details in the Presidential Decree No. 10803. (In Turkish)