Turkish game and software studios selling worldwide: platform payouts and the lira

An İstanbul mobile game studio with 60 people earns about $400,000 a month from app stores and ad networks. Its salaries, office and Turkish taxes are in lira. Over three years the lira lost more than half its value against the dollar, which helped the studio's margins but made budgeting, hiring and salary reviews a constant exercise.

Where the money comes from

• App stores pay monthly, about 30 to 45 days after month end, in dollars.
• Ad networks pay monthly or on thresholds, usually in dollars.
• Publishers pay advances and revenue shares under contract.

Each platform asks for tax information. A Turkish company completes the forms for a foreign entity and can claim the Türkiye-US tax treaty where relevant.

The lira

The lira has depreciated sharply in recent years, with high inflation in Türkiye. For a studio earning dollars, that cushions costs in dollar terms, but staff expect frequent lira salary increases, and budgets need regular revision. Turkish wages are generally paid in lira.

Export proceeds rules

Türkiye's foreign exchange rules require many foreign receipts of Turkish companies to be brought into Türkiye and, at times, partly converted. How the rules apply to platform payouts for services depends on the facts. Ask your bank and adviser, and keep payout reports with your bank statements.

Studios with companies abroad

Some Turkish studios also run a company abroad, for example for publishing deals, investment or holding IP. That company follows its own country's rules. Turkish shareholders and the Turkish company remain subject to Turkish tax and currency rules, so take advice before restructuring.

Paying into Türkiye: the local rail

Source: CBRT: FAST. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens business accounts for registered companies after verification. A company registered in Türkiye should confirm with its bank how export proceeds rules apply before receiving funds abroad. Studios' companies registered elsewhere get US account details on every plan, euro and sterling details from the Growth plan, Visa company cards for ad and tool spend, and payouts in 120+ countries. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.