CHP Bolu Deputy Türker Ateş: Credit Card Usage for Public and Tax Payments Increased by 191 Percent
CHP Bolu Deputy Türker Ateş drew attention to the fact that, according to the data of the Interbank Card Center, public and tax payments made with credit cards increased by 191 percent in May compared to the previous year. Ateş stated that citizens are making public payments by borrowing money amid economic difficulties.
In his statement, Ateş emphasized that credit card statements have also inflated as the tax burden has become heavier, and said that despite the 58.5 percent increase in taxes and fees this year, the increase in public and tax payments made with credit cards has exceeded three. times this rate. Ateş stated that the government is trying to close the budget deficit from the citizens’ pockets with tax packages.
Highlights of Credit Card Spending
- In May, public and tax payments made with credit cards increased by 191 percent on an annual basis.
- Public/tax payments made by credit cards increased from 22.2 billion lira to 64.6 billion lira.
- There was a 53 percent increase in public/tax payments made by card in the five-month period.
- Cash advance withdrawals from credit cards were affected by the interest rate hike in March, and the amount fell below 60 billion lira.
Leadership Continues in Market and Shopping Mall Expenditures
Ateş stated that payments made in markets and shopping malls continue to lead in credit card expenditures, and announced that supermarket and shopping mall expenditures increased by 106 percent in May compared to last year, reaching 178.6 billion lira.
| Expenditure Item | Increase Rate | Total amount |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical-Electronics and Computer Expenditures | 75 percent | 75.8 billion lira |
| Clothing and Accessories Expenses | 104 percent | 72 billion liras |
Ateş pointed out that citizens can even cover their kitchen expenses by borrowing money, and that low-income groups cannot take out cash advances due to economic difficulties, and that the government does not support those whose purchasing power has decreased.
