When you think of a place to register your business, Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state) might not be the first location that comes to mind. Yet, this small Caucasus nation offers many benefits for freelancers and small business owners, making it somewhat of a well-kept secret.
Why Choose Georgia?
Georgia offers incredibly favorable tax conditions, an easy residency process, and a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. Here’s why Georgia should be on your radar:
- Low Taxes: Small businesses can benefit from tax rates as low as 0-3%.
- Ease of Doing Business: Simple registration processes and minimal bureaucratic hurdles.
- Residency Options: Straightforward paths to residency and tax benefits.
Tax Residency and Business Types
Georgia offers two main business structures that are particularly attractive for foreign entrepreneurs: the Private Individual Entrepreneur (PIE) and the Limited Liability Company (LLC).
- Private Individual Entrepreneur (PIE)
- Ideal for digital nomads and freelancers.
- Sole proprietorship with one owner, but you can still employ others.
- Enjoys a tax rate of 1-3% under the small business status.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Suitable for businesses with multiple partners.
- Functions similarly to “e-residency” found in some European countries.
- No corporate taxes on reinvested income, but a 20% tax on salaries paid to Georgian tax residents.
- Mandatory pension contribution of 2% each from employer and employee.
Micro and Small Business Status
Georgia offers incredibly favorable tax conditions through its small business status, where you can pay as low as 1% on your gross income if your annual revenue is under 500,000 lari (around $188,000). For those earning less than 30,000 lari annually, there’s the micro business status with 0% tax.
Virtual Zone Status
If your business is in the IT sector, you might qualify for the virtual zone status, providing:
- 0% corporate tax.
- 5% on distributed dividends.
- 0% VAT and export tax.
This is specifically beneficial if your work involves software development and services for clients outside Georgia.
Residency Options
To enjoy these tax benefits, becoming a Georgian tax resident is crucial. Here’s how you can secure your residency:
- 183-Day Rule
- Spend at least 183 days in Georgia per year to qualify.
- Time spent out of the country for vacations, business trips, or medical treatment can count towards this requirement – so it is actually quite lenient. You could just leave for 6 months for a “vacation”.
- High Net-Worth Individual Program
- Allows tax residency without the 183-day requirement.
- Requires proof of substantial income or assets.
How to Apply for Small Business Status
- Register as a Private Individual Entrepreneur
- Visit Georgia’s Public Service Hall with your passport and proof of address.
- Ensure your business income doesn’t stem from prohibited activities like gambling or certain consulting services.
- Open a Georgian Bank Account
- Straightforward process requiring only your passport unless you’re from a sanctioned country.
- Claim Small Business Status
- Visit the Georgian Revenue Service with your business details, including a legal business address.
Potential Downsides
Be mindful of Georgia’s right to reclassify tax rates retroactively if they believe your business doesn’t match its declared purpose. This could mean paying the standard 20% tax rate if reclassified.
Other Taxes
- Standard Income Tax: 20% for regular income.
- Corporate Tax: 15%, only on distributed profits.
- VAT: 18% on domestic transactions over 100,000 lari.
- Capital Gains: 20% for Georgian, 0% for foreign.
- Rental Tax: 5% on Georgian real estate, 0% on foreign.
Ways to Secure Residency
- Visa-Free Entry
- Most nationalities can stay for up to 365 days visa-free.
- After 365 days, you can leave and re-enter the country to reset the visa-free period.
- Work Residence Permit
- Requires earning at least 50,000 lari annually.
- Ideal for those planning to stay long-term and run a business.
- Real Estate Investment
- Investing at least $100,000 in property can secure a short-term residence permit.
High Net-Worth Individual Program
For those with significant income or assets, this program allows tax residency without living in Georgia for most of the year. It’s an excellent option for digital nomads needing a tax home base.
How Long Do You Need to Stay in Georgia?
To maintain tax residency and enjoy the low tax benefits, you must spend at least 183 days in Georgia per year. However, Georgia is flexible with this requirement. Any time spent out of the country for vacations, business trips, or medical treatment can count toward the 183-day requirement. If you meet the high net-worth individual program criteria, you can bypass this 183-day rule altogether.
How to Register Your Business in Georgia
- Register as a Private Individual Entrepreneur (PIE)
- Visit a Public Service Hall with your passport and proof of address.
- Ensure your business income does not come from prohibited activities.
- Open a Georgian Bank Account
- Simple process requiring your passport. Additional documentation might be needed if you’re from a sanctioned country.
- Claim Small Business Status
- Visit the Georgian Revenue Service with your business details and legal business address.
Common Business Types and Their Benefits
Private Individual Entrepreneur (PIE)
- Ideal for freelancers and digital nomads.
- Low tax rates (1-3%) with small business status.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Suitable for businesses with multiple partners.
- No corporate tax on reinvested income.
- 20% tax on distributed salaries and mandatory pension contributions.
Virtual Zone Status for IT Businesses
- 0% corporate tax and VAT.
- 5% tax on distributed dividends.
Potential Downsides and Considerations
While Georgia offers many benefits, there are potential downsides to be aware of:
- Tax Reclassification: Authorities can retroactively reclassify your business, resulting in higher tax rates.
- Prohibited Activities: Ensure your business does not engage in prohibited activities to maintain small business status.
- Employee Classification: Be careful if your business structure closely resembles an employer-employee relationship, as this could lead to reclassification and higher taxes.