Unregistered Payments and Price Ceiling Violations Rise in Valet Services
While requests for cash or bank transfer (IBAN) payments instead of credit cards for valet services in metropolitan areas are increasing, the failure to issue invoices leads to millions of liras in tax losses.
Informality and price ceiling violations in parking and valet services in Istanbul have increased significantly. While some vales refusing credit cards demand cash or payment via IBAN, businesses that do not issue invoices cause massive tax losses.
Pressure for Cash and IBAN Payments
A new issue has been added to the problems experienced in parking and valet services across Istanbul. Some vales who do not accept credit cards demand that customers pay directly in cash or via IBAN.
When customers request an invoice or receipt, businesses brush them off or arguments ensue. Citizens, worried that their vehicles might be damaged, are forced to accept these demands.
Millions of Liras in Unregistered Revenue
This system, revolving around hundreds of liras in valet fees, enlarges the dimension of the informal economy in the sector day by day.
Fees collected without issuing any fiscal documents bring along millions of liras in tax losses at restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Price Ceilings Are Being Violated
According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Transportation Coordination Directorate directive, valet fees should range between 310 and 500 liras depending on the region.
However, it was observed that in many venues these fees start from 400 liras and rise up to 1,000 liras, openly violating the designated price ceilings.
Inspection and Complaint Warnings
İbrahim Güllü, Vice President of the Consumer Confederation, stated that complaints on the subject have increased and emphasized that inspections need to be intensified.
Güllü advised citizens to report businesses demanding cash or IBAN to relevant institutions and to take records to prove the situation.