BAĞ-KUR exemption certificate is an official document that confirms people who own agricultural land or have agricultural activities in their name but do not actually work are exempt from paying social security contributions. It is especially important for farmers, village heads, tradespeople involved in agriculture and landowners.
As of 2025, questions such as how to obtain the BAĞ-KUR exemption certificate, who is eligible, where to apply, and how to check it on e-Government are frequently asked. This guide explains the whole process step by step.
What Is the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate?
The BAĞ-KUR exemption certificate is an official document showing that, under Article 6 of the Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law No. 5510, a person engaged in agricultural activities is not considered insured. In other words, the certificate demonstrates that the person does not work in practice or that their income is below a certain threshold, relieving them from the obligation to pay BAĞ-KUR contributions.
Who Needs It?
- Landowners who do not cultivate their land
- Small-scale farmers (those exempt from income tax)
- Housewives or retirees who are not actively farming
- People who lease their agricultural land but do not farm themselves
- Family members who work on family land without receiving income
What Is the Purpose of the BAĞ-KUR Exemption?
The exemption certificate provides advantages related to agricultural insurance and tax exemption, and it prevents the Social Security Institution (SGK) from automatically registering the person for BAĞ-KUR.
Benefits of BAĞ-KUR Exemption
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| No premium debt | Because SGK does not consider you insured, no BAĞ-KUR premium debt is recorded. |
| Does not affect retirement calculation | Retirement periods are calculated based on periods when you actually worked. |
| Prevents income loss | You are not required to pay insurance premiums without real income. |
| Access to agricultural supports | Farmers registered in the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS) can still receive support payments. |
| E-Government tracking | All documents and application status can be viewed digitally. |
Who Is Eligible for the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate?
There are specific conditions for obtaining the exemption certificate. It is not automatically available to every landowner or tradesperson.
Eligible Applicant Groups
| Group | Eligibility | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Small farmers (exempt from income tax) | Eligible | They benefit from exemption under Article 9 of Income Tax Law No. 193. |
| Retired farmers | Eligible | Since they already receive social security income, the premium obligation is removed. |
| Housewives | Eligible | They are not engaged in agricultural activities in practice. |
| Those who lease agricultural land | Eligible | They do not produce under their own name, so they fall outside BAĞ-KUR scope. |
| Active members of agricultural cooperatives | Not eligible | They are considered insured because they actively work. |
How to Obtain the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate?
Obtaining the BAĞ-KUR exemption certificate involves procedures handled by both the tax office and SGK. As of 2025, applications can be made via e-Government, chambers of agriculture, and provincial/district SGK directorates.
Step 1 – Obtain Tax Exemption Certificate
First, it must be determined whether the person qualifies under Article 9 of the Income Tax Law. This certificate is issued by the tax office or the chamber of agriculture.
Required Documents
- Copy of identity card
- Deed or lease contract
- Declaration stating no agricultural production is carried out
- ÇKS record (if any)
- Petition
Step 2 – Apply to SGK
With the certificate from the tax office, apply to the SGK provincial/district directorate. There you will fill in the “4B Agricultural Exemption Application Form”.
After the application, SGK verifies records with Land Registry and Cadastre, Chamber of Agriculture and Revenue Administration systems. If approved, the exemption document is issued.
Step 3 – Apply via e-Government (Alternative)
The BAĞ-KUR exemption certificate can now also be obtained through e-Government. This method is fast and free.
Step-by-step e-Government Application
- Log in to the official e-Government portal.
- Search for “BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate Application”.
- Select the Social Security Institution service from the menu.
- Review your information and complete the application form.
- Confirm and print or save the application receipt.
Once approved, the document becomes available for download in PDF format.
How to Check the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate on e-Government?
If you have previously applied, you can check the status of your document on e-Government.
Query Steps
- Log in to the e-Government portal.
- Search for “BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate Inquiry”.
- On the resulting page, check the “Active / Approved” status.
- If necessary, download the PDF or print the document.
If the certificate shows as “Valid”, it is registered in the SGK system.
Documents Required for the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate
Required documents may vary slightly by institution, but generally the following are requested during application:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Copy of identity card | Required for identity verification. |
| Tax exemption certificate | Proves exemption from income tax. |
| Copy of deed or lease contract | Shows agricultural property status. |
| ÇKS record (if any) | Farmer Registration System document. |
| Petition | Official declaration requesting exemption. |
Renewal of the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate
The exemption certificate may need to be renewed in certain situations. For example, the certificate becomes invalid if the person resumes agricultural activity or their retirement status changes.
Situations Requiring Renewal
- Resuming agricultural activity
- Expiration of tax exemption
- Returning to farming after retirement
- Change in deed or land status
Renewal applications are made again through SGK or e-Government.
Conditions for Obtaining the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate (2025)
As of 2025, applicants seeking BAĞ-KUR exemption must meet these conditions:
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Not engaged in agricultural activities in practice | No work such as field labor or animal husbandry should be performed. |
| Being exempt from income tax | Must be proven with a certificate from the tax office. |
| No other insurance under SGK | Should not be employed under 4A or 4C categories. |
| Complete the application form | Via e-Government or the SGK provincial directorate. |
How Long Does It Take to Issue the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate?
e-Government applications are usually processed within 1 to 3 business days. Applications made at SGK directorates may take 5 to 10 business days depending on workload. When approved, the document appears in your e-Government account as a downloadable certificate.
The Importance of the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate
This certificate is not only important for avoiding the burden of premium payments but also for preventing SGK registration errors, organizing retirement planning, and ensuring uninterrupted access to agricultural support programs.
Because SGK may apply automatic registration for BAĞ-KUR, landowners who do not actually produce can be mistakenly registered as insured. The exemption certificate eliminates this error.
Cancellation of the BAĞ-KUR Exemption Certificate
If the person resumes agricultural production or loses their tax exemption, the certificate is canceled. Cancellation requires submitting a petition to SGK. SGK updates the registration and the person is returned to BAĞ-KUR coverage if applicable.
Points to Consider During the Application Process
- Obtain the tax office exemption certificate before applying.
- Deed records must be up to date.
- e-Government applications will be rejected if the provided information is incorrect.
- When the certificate expires, it is not canceled automatically; the holder must apply for renewal manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the BAĞ-KUR exemption certificate?
It prevents people who do not engage in agricultural activity from owing BAĞ-KUR premiums and stops incorrect SGK registration.
2. Who is eligible for the exemption certificate?
It is issued to landowners who do not produce in practice and to farmers who are exempt from income tax.
3. Can I obtain the certificate through e-Government?
Yes. Application and inquiry are possible via e-Government.
4. What is the validity period of the certificate?
The certificate remains valid indefinitely unless the holder resumes activity; in that case it is canceled.
5. Is there a fee to obtain the exemption certificate?
No. It can be obtained free of charge through e-Government and SGK.