Our work as tax consultants isn’t just about numbers – it’s about understanding. Many of our clients navigate between two cultural systems with different expectations, communication styles, and perspectives. That’s exactly why we created this page – as a bridge and an invitation to better mutual understanding.
In our daily work, we see how small cultural misunderstandings can lead to major friction – or conversely, how a good sense for these differences creates new opportunities.
A few examples from the business world:
Communication
Germany 🇩🇪:
Direct, brief, formal. “No” means no. Please confirm everything in writing
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Indirect, emotional, between the lines. The word “no” rarely appears – instead you get “Maybe,” a smile, or a raised eyebrow.
Example:
German: “This offer is too expensive.”
Turk: “Hmm, we need to think about it again…” – but actually means the same thing.
Business Orientation
Germany 🇩🇪:
“The matter counts.” Expertise, numbers, contracts. Relationship is secondary.
Turkey 🇹🇷:
“The person counts.” Trust, closeness, and friendship come before the actual deal.
Example:
At the first meeting, the German asks: “Where’s the contract?”
The Turk asks: “How’s your family?” – meaning: trust first, contract later.
Behavior & Expression
Germany 🇩🇪:
Reserved, minimal gestures. Everyone speaks in turn.
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Lots of facial expressions and gestures. Everyone talks at once, but somehow everyone understands.
Example:
In a German meeting, everyone politely raises their hand.
In a Turkish meeting, five people talk simultaneously – yet miraculously everyone figures it out.
Time Perception
Germany 🇩🇪:
Monochronic – “Time is money.” Punctuality is mandatory, planning is long-term.
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Polychronic – Time is flexible. Relationships matter more than the exact appointment time.
Example:
For a German businessperson, 10 minutes late is disrespectful.
A Turkish businessperson says: “Brother, relax, let’s have some tea first.”
Hierarchy & Authority
Germany 🇩🇪:
Flatter hierarchies. Bosses are often questioned.
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Clear hierarchies, respect for authority. A good boss is a father figure.
Example:
In Germany, an employee tells the boss: “I have a better idea.”
In Turkey, the employee says: “Boss, whatever you want” – and does exactly that.
Individualism vs. Collectivism
Germany 🇩🇪:
Everyone is responsible for themselves, independence is valued.
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Family, friends, acquaintances – the network is more important than going it alone.
Example:
The German hires someone because they have the best qualifications.
The Turk hires a friend’s cousin – because loyalty is guaranteed.
Uncertainty Avoidance
Germany 🇩🇪:
Rules, regulations, predictability. Security through structure.
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Flexible, improvisational. “Inshallah, it’ll work out somehow.”
Example:
In Germany, there’s a 20-page project plan.
In Turkey, a piece of paper suffices: “Let’s meet tomorrow, we’ll figure it out.”
Masculinity vs. Femininity
Germany 🇩🇪:
Performance, competition, efficiency. “Live to work.”
Turkey 🇹🇷:
Harmony, solidarity, quality of life. “Work to live.”
Example:
In Germany, people proudly say: “I worked 60 hours.”
In Turkey, people proudly say: “I have 60 friends I had dinner with.”
Conclusion
No culture is better or worse – they’re simply different.
Those who understand the differences can use them to their advantage. That’s how successful cross-cultural entrepreneurs are made.
Glossary: Terms from the Tax World
Terms that appear in both languages but don’t always carry the same meaning are frequently used in our community.
In this glossary, we explain the most important terms in German, Turkish, and English.
Scroll to the right to see full glossary ->
German (with abbreviation)
Turkish
English
Explanation
GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung)
Limited Şirket
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Most common company form in Germany, minimum capital €25,000
Steuernummer (St.Nr.)
Vergi numarası
Tax Number
Unique number for the tax office, required for invoices.
Bilanz
Bilanço
Balance Sheet
Comparison of assets and liabilities at year-end.
Umsatzsteuer (USt)
Katma Değer Vergisi (KDV)
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Consumption tax on goods and services.
Einkommensteuer (ESt)
Gelir vergisi
Income Tax
Tax on income of natural persons.
Körperschaftsteuer (KSt)
Kurumlar vergisi
Corporate Income Tax
Tax on profits of corporations.
Lohnsteuer (LSt)
Gelir vergisi (maaş için)
Wage Tax
Income tax on wages, paid directly by employer.
Kapitalertragsteuer (KapESt)
Sermaye kazancı vergisi
Capital Gains Tax
Tax on income from capital investments (e.g., dividends).
Summen- und Saldenliste (SuSa)
Toplamlar ve bakiyeler listesi
General Ledger / Trial Balance
Overview of all account movements and their balances.
Betriebswirtschaftliche Auswertung (BWA)
İşletme analiz raporu
Business Management Report
Monthly evaluation for entrepreneurs with key metrics.
Anlagenspiegel (AV-Spiegel)
Duran varlık tablosu
Fixed Asset Schedule
Overview of development and depreciation of fixed assets.
Vorsteuer (VoSt)
İndirilecek KDV
Input Tax
VAT paid on purchases that can be refunded by tax office.
Gewerbesteuer (GewSt)
Ticaret vergisi
Municipal Trade Tax
Tax levied by municipalities on business profits.
Jahresabschluss (JA)
Yıllık bilanço
Annual Financial Statement
Summary of all business figures at year-end.
Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung (GuV)
Kar ve zarar tablosu
Profit and Loss Statement
Overview of revenues and expenses.
Rückstellung (RST)
Karşılık
Provision / Accrual
Reserve for uncertain liabilities.
Abschreibung (AfA)
Amortisman
Depreciation
Decrease in value of fixed assets over useful life.
Buchführung
Muhasebe
Accounting
Organized recording of all business transactions.
Betriebsausgabe
İşletme gideri
Business Expense
Business-related costs that are tax-deductible.
Betriebsprüfung (BP)
Vergi denetimi
Tax Audit
Review by tax office to verify accuracy of tax returns.
Finanzamt (FA)
Vergi dairesi
Tax Office
Authority that collects and controls taxes.
Steuererklärung (StErkl.)
Vergi beyannamesi
Tax Return
Submission of all relevant data for tax calculation.
Steuerbescheid (StBesch.)
Vergi bildirimi
Tax Assessment Notice
Official notice from tax office about tax assessment.
Verlustvortrag (VV)
Zarar mahsubu
Loss Carryforward
Losses carried forward to future years.
Freiberufler
Serbest meslek erbabı
Freelancer / Liberal Profession
Self-employed in certain professions, not subject to trade tax.
Selbstständigkeit
Serbest çalışma
Self-employment
Activity on one's own account.
Personengesellschaft (PersG)
Şahıs şirketi
Partnership
Company form (e.g., GbR, OHG, KG).
Kapitalgesellschaft (KapG)
Sermaye şirketi
Corporation
Legal entity with its own assets (e.g., GmbH, AG).
UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Sınırlı sorumlu şirket (UG)
Entrepreneurial Company
"Mini-GmbH," can be founded with €1 capital.
AG (Aktiengesellschaft)
Anonim şirket
Stock Corporation
Corporation with shares, minimum capital €50,000.
Geschäftsführer (GF)
Genel müdür / Müdür
Managing Director
Management body of a capital company, represents the company externally.
Stammkapital
Esas sermaye
Share Capital
Minimum capital of a GmbH.
Eigenkapital (EK)
Öz sermaye
Equity
Assets belonging to the owners.
Fremdkapital (FK)
Yabancı sermaye
Debt Capital
External capital, e.g., bank loans.
Liquidität (Liq.)
Likidite
Liquidity
Ability to make short-term payments.
Umsatz
Ciro
Turnover / Revenue
Total income of a business.
Gewinn
Kâr
Profit
Revenue minus expenses.
Vorsteuerabzug
İndirilecek KDV indirimi
Input Tax Deduction
Option to deduct paid VAT from tax liability.
Steuer-ID (IdNr.)
Vergi kimlik numarası
Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Personal tax identification number for individuals.
Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer (USt-IdNr.)
KDV kimlik numarası
VAT Identification Number
EU-wide VAT identification number.
Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen (DBA)
Çifte vergilendirme anlaşması
Double Taxation Agreement
Treaty to avoid double taxation.
Kleinunternehmerregelung (KUR)
Küçük işletme kuralı
Small Business Regulation
Exemption from VAT for turnover under €22,000.
Sonderausgaben (SA)
Özel giderler
Special Expenses
Certain private expenses that are tax-deductible.
Werbungskosten (WK)
Mesleki giderler
Work-related Expenses
Professionally incurred costs.
Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (UStVA)
Katma değer vergisi ön beyanı
Advance VAT Return
Monthly or quarterly VAT report to tax office.
Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung (EÜR)
Gelir-gider tablosu
Cash Basis Accounting
Simplified profit calculation for small businesses.
Rechnungswesen (ReWe)
Muhasebe sistemi
Accounting System
Entire system of financial recording.
Kontenrahmen (SKR)
Hesap planı
Chart of Accounts
Standardized structure for booking accounts.
Vollstreckung
İcra takibi / Cebri icra
Enforcement / Debt Collection
Forced collection of outstanding claims.
Pfändung
Haciz
Seizure / Garnishment
Seizure of assets or wages to settle debts.
Mahnung
İhtarname / Ödeme hatırlatması
Payment Reminder
Written demand for payment of overdue invoices.
Factoring
Faktoring
Factoring
Sale of receivables to a financial company.
Gewinnermittlung
Kâr hesaplaması
Profit Determination
Calculation of taxable profit.
Vorläufiger Steuerbescheid
Geçici vergi bildirimi
Provisional Tax Assessment
Preliminary tax assessment, can be changed.
Progressiver Steuersatz
Artan oranlı vergi
Progressive Tax Rate
Tax rate increases with rising income.
Solidaritätszuschlag (Soli)
Dayanışma payı
Solidarity Surcharge
Surcharge on income and corporate tax.
Kirchensteuer (KiSt)
Kilise vergisi
Church Tax
Tax for members of certain religious communities.
Steuerberater (StB)
Yeminli mali müşavir
Tax Advisor
Professional advisor for tax matters.
Betriebsvermögen (BV)
İşletme varlıkları
Business Assets
Assets belonging to the business.
Privatentnahme (PE)
Özel çekiş
Private Withdrawal
Withdrawal of money or goods by the entrepreneur.
Investitionsabzugsbetrag (IAB)
Yatırım indirimi
Investment Deduction
Tax benefit for planned investments.
Abschlagszahlung
Ara ödeme
Advance Payment
Partial payment on a larger debt or invoice.
Steuerklassen (StKl)
Vergi sınıfları
Tax Classes
Classification for wage tax calculation in Germany.
Steuergestaltung
Vergi kaçınma
Tax Avoidance
Legal use of tax benefits to minimize tax burden.
Steuerhinterziehung
Vergi kaçakçılığı
Tax Evasion
Illegal concealment or manipulation of tax information.
Steuerstundung
Vergi ertelemesi
Tax Deferral
Postponement of tax payment to a later date.
Because trust is based on understanding. Many of our clients particularly appreciate this translation service between language, culture, and system in our work. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or self-employed – if you want to succeed in an international context, you need not only expertise but also cultural competence. This is exactly where we come in.
We’d be happy to hear your feedback, questions, or additions about this page. Don’t hesitate to contact us.
