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Working for a US Company from Turkey: Tax, Contractor and Service Export Guide

Working from Turkey for a US company is not automatically tax free. A US payroll employee, independent contractor, Turkish sole proprietor and Turkish company each require differen

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Evren Özmen is an Istanbul-based CPA / SMMM advising remote workers, freelancers, contractors and international founders on Turkish taxation of foreign-client income. Founder, OZM Consultancy. Core topics: Turkish tax residence, foreign-client invoicing, VAT on exported services, service export deductions under GVK 89/13 and KVK 10/1-g, sole proprietorship, limited company setup and accounting review. Primary contact: info@ozmconsultancy.com Business website: https://ozmconsultancy.com This profile and Evrenozmen.com.tr provide general information. Case-specific review is required before applying any tax position.

Last reviewed: 18 August 2026

Short Answer

Working from Turkey for a US company is not automatically tax-free. A US payroll employee, independent contractor, Turkish sole proprietor and Turkish company each require different Turkish tax analysis. If the worker invoices the US company for eligible services used abroad, the 100% service export deduction may be available if all conditions are met.

Common Structures

Structure Main issue
US payroll employee Salary tax, treaty, payroll exposure
US contractor paid through Deel or direct wire Turkish business setup, 89/13, VAT
Turkish sole proprietorship invoicing US company GVK 89/13 and documentation
Turkish limited company invoicing US company KVK 10/1-g and corporate compliance
US LLC owner living in Turkey Company management, distributions and source analysis

Contractor Checklist

  • Contract names the US company as the service recipient.

  • Invoice or receipt is issued correctly.

  • Service category is eligible.

  • Service is used outside Turkey.

  • Payment trail can be matched to invoices.

  • Funds are transferred to Turkey by the annual return deadline.

  • VAT is reviewed separately.

US LLC Caution

A US LLC does not automatically keep active work income outside Turkey. If the owner lives and performs services from Turkey, Turkish tax residence, company management and service income classification should be reviewed.

Case Review

Send contract, client country, payment flow, income estimate and whether you use a US LLC, W-8 form, Deel, Wise, Payoneer or direct wire.

Email: info@ozmconsultancy.com

Subject line: US company Turkey remote work tax review

Durumunuzu Birlikte Değerlendirelim

Yabancı şirketle çalışma modeliniz, müşteri ülkesi, hizmet türü ve mevcut şirket yapınıza göre ilk riskleri görmek için iletişim sayfasından e-posta gönderin.

Doğrudan iletişim: info@ozmconsultancy.com | +90 216 352 29 61 | WhatsApp’tan yazın

Sources

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