Balance sheet basis or single-entry bookkeeping?
The 2026 thresholds that decide the type of books for sole proprietorships, differences between the two systems, rules for switching and voluntary balance sheet basis.
Capital companies always keep books on the balance sheet basis. For sole proprietorships, the type of books depends on the type and volume of activity.
2026 thresholds (Tax Procedure Law art. 177)
A sole proprietorship exceeding one of these limits moves to the balance sheet basis: Bookkeeping class check
| Activity | Annual limit |
|---|---|
| Trading | Purchases TRY 2,500,000 or sales TRY 3,500,000 |
| Services | Gross business revenue TRY 1,200,000 |
| Mixed | 5 × service revenue + sales total TRY 2,500,000 |
If the limit is exceeded two years in a row, the balance sheet basis applies from the following year. A business on the balance sheet basis whose volume stays below the limits for three consecutive years may return to single-entry books from the fourth year.
Differences
| Single-entry (işletme hesabı) | Balance sheet basis | |
|---|---|---|
| Books | Business ledger (income–expense) | Journal, general ledger, inventory |
| Recording | One-sided income–expense entries | Accrual basis, double entry |
| Year end | Profit = income − expenses (+ stock change) | Balance sheet and income statement |
| Valuation | Limited | FX differences, discounting, provisions |
| Accounting cost | Low | High |
| Banks and credit | Limited financial statements | Strong credit file with a balance sheet |
Voluntary balance sheet basis
A business below the limits may choose the balance sheet basis. This can make sense for businesses expecting growth, using bank credit or planning to convert to a limited company.
Self-employed professionals
Self-employed professionals (doctors, lawyers, architects) keep a professional income ledger regardless of thresholds; it is cash-basis.
We decide together which suits you and the year of transition: Books and e-Ledger.