Law No. 5746 · R&D Centre Incentives
An R&D centre is
a strategic tax instrument.
Law No. 5746 provides comprehensive support — from corporate tax to social security, from income tax withholding to customs exemption — for companies conducting R&D and design activities under a defined organisational structure. Properly managing the accreditation process is the prerequisite for utilising these advantages at full capacity.
Legal Basis
5746
Law on Supporting Research, Development and Design Activities
Scope and Approach
Law No. 5746 provides the most comprehensive R&D and design incentive mechanism available to industrial enterprises in Turkey. Companies that establish an R&D centre or design centre benefit directly from financial support across a wide range — from personnel salaries to machinery procurement, from tax obligations to social security premiums.
To benefit from the supports, the centre must be accredited with the Ministry. Accreditation entails a comprehensive review of the centre's infrastructure, personnel qualifications, and activity content. Proper management of the process is decisive both for the acceptance of the application and for the smooth completion of subsequent annual audits.
Akbaş works alongside the company throughout the entire process — from pre-eligibility analysis to the application file, from accreditation follow-up to annual reporting. Every file is structured through an original study; no template applications are submitted.
Centre Types
Two centre types, under one roof.
Law No. 5746 offers two distinct accreditation types: R&D centre and design centre. Both benefit from similar tax and social security advantages; the difference lies in scope, headcount, and activity content.
R&D Centre
R&D Centre Accreditation
Accreditation programme for industrial companies conducting R&D and innovation activities under a defined infrastructure and organisation. Companies meeting the minimum requirement of 15 full-time R&D personnel benefit from the full scope of tax and social security supports provided by the law.
At least 15 full-time R&D personnel, dedicated physical space
Design Centre
Design Centre Accreditation
Accreditation programme for companies conducting industrial design, modelling, prototyping, and creative development processes within a corporate framework. Once the minimum requirement of 10 full-time designers is met, tax and social security advantages parallel to an R&D centre come into effect.
At least 10 full-time designers, dedicated design area
Support Package
Six incentive components
provided by the law.
The supports under Law No. 5746 are not a one-time grant; they constitute a financial advantage package that renews every year and grows cumulatively for as long as the centre is in operation. Structuring the budget correctly ensures full utilisation of this package.
R&D and Design Deduction
All R&D and design expenditures within the centre's scope are deducted from the corporate tax base at 100%. As the centre grows, the saving grows directly; this component typically carries the highest value in the package.
100%Income Tax Withholding Support
Income tax withholding on salaries of R&D and design personnel is applied at a reduced rate of 80% to 95% depending on their level of education. The cost of qualified personnel decreases; retaining talented human resources becomes easier.
80–95%Employer Social Security Premium Support
Half of the employer's social security premium share for R&D, design, and support personnel is covered by the Treasury. As the centre's headcount grows, the saving increases linearly; this component constitutes a significant item especially in centres with larger teams.
50%Stamp Duty Exemption
No stamp duty is levied on contracts and documents within the scope of centre activities. Project contracts, procurement agreements, and employment contracts benefit from this exemption; the process is lightened both in cost and administrative burden.
Customs Duty Exemption
Machinery, equipment, and software imported from abroad for use within the centre's scope are exempt from customs duty. Foreign-sourced technology investments are converted into a direct cost advantage through this exemption.
Patent Incentive Support
50% of income earned from patents registered as a result of R&D activities is additionally deducted from the corporate tax base. Innovation is rewarded not only through in-process supports but also through the output itself.
50%Our Process
From pre-eligibility analysis
to annual audit.
R&D centre accreditation goes far beyond filling out forms. The Ministry's evaluation covers the entirety of the infrastructure, staffing, and activity content. The more solid the preparation, the faster and more smoothly the accreditation is completed.
Pre-Eligibility and Feasibility Analysis
The company's current personnel structure, area of activity, and physical infrastructure are assessed. At this stage, it is determined which type of centre is applicable, what the missing conditions are, and how long it will take to fulfil them. Proceeding to application without a correct diagnosis wastes time.
Centre Design and Personnel Planning
The R&D or design centre is structured to meet the physical and organisational conditions required by the regulations. Personnel classification, job descriptions, and infrastructure arrangements are configured in accordance with the Ministry's guidelines; gaps are addressed at this stage.
Preparation of the Application File
The application package to be submitted to the Ministry is prepared in full: centre introduction report, personnel documents, infrastructure documentation, and activity plan. The file content is critically reviewed from the evaluator's perspective; weak points are strengthened before submission.
Ministry Evaluation and Accreditation
The application is submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Technology. Throughout the evaluation process, including on-site inspection, Akbaş responds to queries, handles requests for additional documents, and actively manages the process alongside the company until the accreditation decision is issued.
Annual Audit and Continuous Reporting
Accreditation does not close the process; it is a status that must be renewed annually. Annual activity reports, personnel change notifications, and audit preparations are managed by Akbaş. The continuity of incentive rights depends on the completeness of this reporting.
Measurable Impact
An advantage that renews annually
and grows cumulatively.
The supports under Law No. 5746 are not one-time. They renew every tax period for as long as the centre remains in operation. As the team grows, withholding and social security savings increase; as R&D expenditure rises, the deduction grows.
Law No. 5746 is not merely an incentive statute. It is a strategic instrument that consolidates the long-term competitive advantage of companies that bring R&D into a corporate discipline, backed by state guarantee.
All centre expenditures are deducted from the corporate tax base.
Income tax withholding reaches this rate for R&D personnel holding a doctorate.
The employer's social security premium share for all R&D and design personnel is covered by the Treasury at this rate.
R&D deduction, withholding, SSP, stamp duty, customs exemption, and patent incentive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions
about 5746 accreditation.
What is the minimum number of personnel required to establish an R&D centre?
A minimum of 15 full-time R&D personnel is required to establish an R&D centre under Law No. 5746. This figure does not include support staff; only researchers and technicians who are actively conducting R&D activities are counted. Additional incentive components come into effect for centres with 30 or more personnel. For a design centre, the minimum headcount is 10 full-time designers.
What is the fundamental difference between an R&D unit and an R&D centre?
An R&D unit is a smaller structure registered with the Ministry with ten or fewer personnel and cannot benefit from all of the incentives under Law No. 5746. An R&D centre, by contrast, meets the requirement of at least 15 personnel and provides access to the full support package offered by the law. As a company grows, transitioning to centre status becomes both a right and a strategic step.
Are the supports under Law No. 5746 repayable?
No. The R&D deduction, withholding support, social security support, stamp duty exemption, and customs duty exemption under Law No. 5746 do not carry any repayment obligation. These are not grants; they are tax exemptions and deductions granted by law. As long as accreditation status is maintained and regulatory compliance is sustained, these advantages are applied automatically every year.
How long does the accreditation process take?
Including the preparation of the complete application file and the Ministry's review process, accreditation is typically completed within three to six months. The more robust the preparation phase, the fewer questions and requests for additional documents the Ministry raises; the process shortens accordingly. Akbaş identifies potential delays in the preparation phase from the outset and manages the timeline accordingly.
Pre-Assessment
Does your company meet the conditions for establishing a centre?
Share your headcount, area of activity, and infrastructure status; let us conduct the eligibility analysis together.
Request AnalysisThe initial consultation is conducted to clarify your company's eligibility under Law No. 5746 and the potential incentive value.
Next Step
Ready to establish your
R&D or Design Centre?
We manage the full accreditation process — from pre-eligibility analysis to Ministry application, from annual reporting to audit preparation.