Bookkeeping is more than a legal duty at month end: properly kept books show what the business earns, where cash goes and the tax burden in advance. Books are kept not just to "close" them but to give you a readable month-end report.
Which books?
| Type | For whom? | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Balance-sheet basis | All capital companies (limited, joint stock); sole traders above thresholds | Journal, ledger, inventory book; accrual basis; year-end balance sheet and income statement |
| Operating account | Sole traders below thresholds (2nd-class merchants) | Income minus expenses; simpler records |
| Professional income book | Doctors, lawyers, architects, consultants | Cash basis; receipt-based records |
| Simplified method | Small tradesmen | No books; document retention and limited obligations |
2026 thresholds for switching to balance-sheet books: annual purchases TRY 2,500,000, sales TRY 3,500,000 or service revenue TRY 1,200,000 (bookkeeping basis test). Which basis suits you: Balance sheet or operating account?
e-Invoice, e-Archive and e-Ledger
Electronic document obligations now cover almost all businesses depending on turnover and sector:
- e-Invoice: businesses with gross sales above TRY 3,000,000 (check), certain sectors (e-commerce, real estate, vehicle trading) and voluntary users. e-Invoice users cannot issue paper invoices to each other.
- e-Archive: invoices from e-Invoice users to buyers outside the e-Invoice system; invoices above certain amounts must be e-Archive.
- e-Ledger: e-Invoice users keep the journal and ledger electronically from the following period; berat files are uploaded to GİB.
- e-Delivery note, e-SMM, e-Producer receipt: separate obligations by sector and turnover.
Dates and thresholds may change by communiqué every year; obligations are tracked and you are warned in advance. Details: Moving to e-Invoice, e-Archive and e-Ledger.
Not switching on time and issuing paper documents means the document is deemed not issued and triggers a special irregularity penalty (2026: 10% of the amount per document, at least TRY 17,000). Administrative fines.
Monthly workflow
- Documents reach us: e-Invoices automatically from the integrator; others by photo, email or shared folder; physical documents by courier or office drop-off.
- Bank and POS transactions are reconciled monthly; cash and shareholder current accounts are checked.
- By the 20th you receive a list of missing documents.
- Returns are prepared, sent for your approval and filed on time. Tax returns.
- Month-end report: income, expenses, VAT position, estimated provisional tax and items needing attention on one page.
Year end
Inventory, depreciation, rediscount, FX valuation, doubtful receivable provisions and closing entries; then the corporate or income tax return. In periods requiring inflation adjustment, adjustment entries are made too. Berat uploads and the 10-year retention obligation are tracked.
What we need from you
- Invoices and receipts during the month, not at month end
- Notification of all business bank accounts and POS devices
- Keeping personal spending from the company cash separate (shareholder accounts may be charged interest)
- Advance notice of new employees, vehicles, premises or major investments
What is deductible?
Business-related, documented expenses in the business's name are deductible; cars, entertainment and meals have limits. List: Deductible expenses.
Common mistakes
- Treating personal spending on a company credit card as an expense.
- Sending invoices in bulk at month end; VAT deduction and stock tracking are delayed.
- Leaving cash in the books that is not actually in the till (a high cash balance raises hidden profit distribution questions).
- Continuing paper invoices after e-Invoice becomes mandatory.
- Missing e-Ledger berat deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Must I keep physical documents? Yes. Books and documents are kept for 5 years from the start of the following year (Tax Procedure Law); commercial books and e-Ledger berat files for 10 years under the Commercial Code.
Do I choose the accounting software? Work can be done in your own software if you prefer; otherwise in ours, with monthly reports and access for you.
How does a handover from my previous accountant work? The last closing balance sheet, trial balance, berats and return passwords are received; opening entries are checked. The previous colleague is notified under professional rules.
Sources
Tax Procedure Law No. 213 (arts. 172–182 types of books, art. 253 retention, art. 242 electronic documents); Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 (arts. 64–88); e-Invoice and e-Ledger communiqués.