Circular 2026 \u2013 044<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exemption for Benefits Provided Through Employee Stock Options<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In accordance with Income Tax General Circular No. 335 (Series No. 326), published in the Official Gazette No. 33300 dated July 4, 2026,, General Income Tax Circular No. 326\u2014which contains explanations regarding the application of exemptions to benefits provided to employees through the issuance of stock options\u2014has been updated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As is well known, amendments were made via Law No. 7582 regarding the \u201cexemption for benefits provided to employees through the issuance of shares,\u201d as regulated in Article 17 of the Income Tax Law; the upper limit for the application of the exemption has been redefined as twice the gross salary for the relevant year, and the holding periods for shares acquired in this manner have been shortened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result of the amendment, the amount taken into account for income tax exemption purposes regarding shares issued by tech startups to their employees has been set at twice the employee\u2019s gross salary for the relevant year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the deadlines for collecting taxes that were not paid on time, based on the holding periods of the shares, have been revised as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n