top of page
Blog


How to Legally Transition Your IE to an LLC After Exceeding the 500,000 GEL Threshold
Table of contents Why the 500,000 GEL Limit Matters Understanding the 500,000 GEL Rule Why Transitioning to an LLC Is the Smart Move Step-by-Step: How to Transition from IE to LLC in Georgia Tax Considerations During the Transition Common Mistakes When Switching from IE to LLC Cost Breakdown of Transitioning from IE to LLC Why LLCs Are the Growth Engine of Georgia’s Business Ecosystem Timing Your Transition to Avoid Tax Problems Example Scenario: The Smart Transition How Gegi
May 2912 min read


International Company Status Requirements: 2-Year History, Local Staff, and Permitted Activities
Table of contents TL;DR Understanding International Company Status (ICS) What is International Company Status (ICS)? ICS Eligibility Requirements: The 2-Year Operational History Rule Local Staff Requirement for ICS Qualification Permitted Activities: Defining Your Business Operations in Georgia What Happens if Your Business Activity Changes? Applying for ICS Status: Step-by-Step Process How Gegidze Can Help You Navigate ICS Requirements A Powerful Tax Advantage for IT and Mar
May 2811 min read


Is Georgia a Tax Haven? An Honest Look at Georgian Taxation
Table of contents TL;DR What Makes a Tax Haven: The Actual Definition Georgia's Tax Rates: The Real Numbers How Georgia Compares to Malta, Cyprus, and the UAE FATF, CRS, and International Compliance The Virtual Zone and Other Incentive Regimes Who Benefits Most From Operating in Georgia How Gegidze Helps You Evaluate Georgia as a Base Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) TL;DR Georgia is not a tax haven in the traditional sense, it is a low-tax jurisdiction with a transparent, i
May 227 min read


The Importance of the LLC Charter (Articles of Association): Customizing Governance for Non-Resident Owners
Table of contents TL;DR. Why Your LLC Charter Can Make or Break Banking, Audits, and Control Why the LLC Charter Matters More Than Most Non-Resident Founders Realize What the LLC Charter Actually Is Under Georgian Law Why Default Charters Are Risky for Non-Resident Owners Why Banks Treat the Charter as a Compliance Document Core Charter Sections Banks Actually Care About Why This Matters Even More for Remote Owners Example Charter Clauses Georgian Banks Prefer Before vs After
May 2112 min read


The Reinvestment Model: Legally Paying 0% Corporate Tax on Profits Retained for Business Growth (LLCs)
Table of contents TL;DR Introduction How Georgia's Corporate Tax System Actually Works What Counts as a Taxable Distribution The Numbers: What 0% Retained Profit Actually Means in Practice Georgia vs the Rest of the World: Why This Model Is Rare The Virtual Zone Layer: When 0% Applies Even on Distribution Compliance Requirements for a Georgian LLC Under the Reinvestment Model Who the Reinvestment Model Works Best For How Gegidze Helps Georgian LLCs Maximise the Reinvestment M
May 2114 min read


LLC vs. JSC in Georgia: Which One Should You Actually Choose?
TL;DR. LLC vs. JSC in Georgia. Which One Should You Actually Choose? Choosing between an LLC and a JSC in Georgia is not just about company size. It’s about how your business earns, grows, and raises capital. LLCs are faster to register, easier to manage, and ideal for: Service businesses Bootstrapped startups Consulting, IT, and outsourcing companies Founders who plan to distribute profits JSCs are designed for: Startups raising external investment Equity-heavy structures Fi
May 2110 min read


Employer of Record in Eastern Europe: Top 5 providers compared (2026)
Table of contents TL;DR What makes a strong EOR provider in Eastern Europe? The hidden cost traps: pricing models explained Top 5 EOR providers compared Team Up: what it actually covers in Eastern Europe EOR vs entity setup: when each makes sense How Gegidze Helps Final Thoughts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) TL;DR An employer of record (EOR) lets you hire legally in Eastern Europe without setting up a local entity, no lawyers, no 3-month incorporation wait. Not all EOR pr
May 2012 min read


PEO vs employer of record in Armenia: which model fits your business?
Table of contents TL;DR What is a PEO in Armenia? What is an EOR in Armenia? Key differences between PEO and EOR in Armenia Costs: PEO vs EOR in Armenia Payroll outsourcing in Armenia: the third model Which structure fits your stage? How Gegidze Helps Final Thoughts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) TL;DR A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) co-manages HR but requires you to already have a registered Armenian LLC, it cannot get you into the market. An EOR (Employer of R
May 2011 min read


Employer of Record (EOR) service providers in Egypt: 10 best to consider in 2026
TL;DR Egypt requires employment contracts in Arabic, social insurance filings through the National Organization for Social Insurance (NOSI), and monthly payroll tax remittances, none of which can be done without a local entity or a proper employer of record. An EOR becomes the legal employer, handling everything from Arabic-language contracts to NOSI filings, while you retain full control of your team's day-to-day work. Flat-fee EOR pricing (~€199/month) is almost always bett
May 2013 min read


Georgia Individual Entrepreneur vs LLC: Which Structure Is Right for You?
Table of contents TL;DR: 1% IE vs 5% LLC in Georgia Introduction The 1% Model: What an Individual Entrepreneur in Georgia Really Is The 5% LLC Model: Understanding the Georgia Corporate Structure When the 5% LLC Makes More Sense Than 1% VAT Georgia: Where the Real Strategic Difference Appears Banking: IE vs LLC in Practice Cost Comparison: Setup and Ongoing Expenses Georgia Tax Residency: Does It Change the Answer? The Strategic Question Scenario 1: The Solo Remote Freelancer
May 1811 min read


Accounting standards in Georgia: IFRS for SMEs vs. simplified standards for small entities
Table of contents TL;DR The four entity categories under Georgian accounting law Simplified accounting standard: who qualifies and what it requires IFRS for SMEs: who qualifies and what it requires Core requirements of IFRS for SMEs Full IFRS: large entities and public interest entities Annual financial statement filing: deadlines and process How accounting standards interact with tax compliance Common mistakes in accounting standard selection How Gegidze helps Frequently ask
May 1311 min read


Local's Guide: Where Expats in Tbilisi Actually Go to Work
Table of contents A Personal Guide to Coworking Spaces, Cafés, and Quiet Corners That Get Things Done Studio 995: The Place People Recommend First Fabrika: Coworking Space D Block: For People Who Need Quiet Digital Jungle: Built for the Internet Generation Coffee Lab: Half Café, Half Founder Meeting Point Where Gegidze Fits Into This Story The Best Workspace Depends on the Work A Personal Guide to Coworking Spaces, Cafés, and Quiet Corners That Get Things Done Moving to Tbili
May 136 min read


2026 Special Tax Regimes: SBS (1% Tax), Micro Business, and More
Table of contents TL;DR How Georgia's special tax regimes work Micro business status: 0% tax for the smallest operators Small Business Status (SBS): the georgia 1% tax regime Virtual Zone status: 0% CIT for IT companies Fixed tax regime: sector-specific flat rates Choosing the right regime: a decision framework Compliance obligations across regimes Common mistakes and how to avoid them How Gegidze helps Final thoughts Frequently asked questions (FAQs) TL;DR Georgia has four m
May 711 min read


VZS vs. Int. company: The Definitive Tax Comparison for Georgian IT Companies
TL;DR Georgian IT companies have two main preferential regime options: Virtual Zone status (VZS) and the International Company regime. Both offer significant tax advantages — but they are not interchangeable. VZS gives 0% corporate income tax and 0% VAT on qualifying IT export income. It has no employment requirements and works for lean, foreign-facing IT companies. The International Company regime gives 5% corporate income tax on qualifying income. It imposes minimum employm
May 710 min read


Structuring Contracts for Tax Compliance: Invoicing Foreign Clients to Guarantee Foreign-Source Income Status
TL;DR Under Georgian tax law, income classification is determined by the contract and invoice documentation, not solely by the client's country of incorporation or the founder's intention. For Virtual Zone companies, the contract must establish that the client is a foreign entity, the service is IT in character, and the service is delivered and received outside Georgia. Vague or generic invoices, "consulting fee," "monthly services," "project work", create an evidentiary gap
May 713 min read


VZS for SaaS Companies: Structuring Subscriptions, Licenses, and Maintenance Fees for 0% CIT
TL;DR Georgia Virtual Zone status (VZS) gives Georgian LLCs 0% corporate income tax on qualifying IT export income. SaaS companies can access this, but the income must be correctly structured and documented. SaaS subscription revenue from foreign clients qualifies as IT service income under VZS, provided the product is developed or maintained by the Georgian entity. Software license fees qualify when tied to the company's own intellectual property. Sub-licensing third-party s
May 510 min read


Tax Benefits and Restrictions of Free Industrial Zones (FIZ) in Georgia (0% Tax Strategy)
Table of contents TL;DR. Free Industrial Zones in Georgia Explained Why Free Industrial Zones in Georgia Are Quietly Attracting Global Businesses What Is a Free Industrial Zone in Georgia? Major Free Industrial Zones in Georgia The Core Tax Advantage: How the 0% Tax Strategy Works VAT Georgia and Free Industrial Zones Why the Legal Structure Matters Banking and Compliance for FIZ Companies What Types of Businesses Actually Qualify for Free Industrial Zones? How a FIZ Company
Apr 2715 min read


International Company Status (ICS): 5% Profit Tax, 5% Payroll, and 0% Dividend Tax for Service Firms
Table of contents TL;DR – International Company Status (ICS) in Georgia Introduction: Why Georgia Is Becoming the Go-To Destination for IT and Maritime Firms Who Can Apply for International Company Status? ICS vs Other Business Structures in Georgia How to Apply for International Company Status in Georgia What About VAT? Understanding ICS VAT Implications Revocation of ICS Status: What You Need to Know How Gegidze Can Help You Apply for ICS The Smart Choice for IT and Maritim
Apr 2412 min read


Georgia Cancels Labour Permit Requirement for Expats
Table of contents TL;DR What changed, what it fixes, and what it means for your setup Why the original law failed What the amendment actually changes What still requires a permit How Gegidze helps Final thoughts Frequently asked questions (FAQs) TL;DR The Georgian Parliament passed amendments on April 16th, 2026, that exempt most foreign founders, remote workers, and LLC directors from the labour permit that went live on March 1st. If you work exclusively for non-Georgian cli
Apr 177 min read


Permanent Establishment (PE) Risk Mitigation: Structuring Your Remote Team to Avoid Foreign Tax Liability
Table of contents TL;DR – Permanent Establishment (PE) Risk Mitigation for Remote Teams Introduction: The Hidden Tax Risk of “Just Working From Your Laptop” What Is Permanent Establishment (PE)? How Does Permanent Establishment Affect Your Foreign Business? Key Triggers of Permanent Establishment Risk for Remote Teams Structuring Your Remote Team to Mitigate PE Risk Compliance and Documentation: Keeping Records to Protect Your Business Real-World Examples: PE Risk in Action H
Apr 159 min read


How to Claim Back Input VAT: Reclaiming VAT on Business Expenses for VAT-Registered Georgian Entities
Table of contents TL;DR. Introduction Why Reverse-Charge VAT Is the Quiet Cost of “Low-Tax Georgia” What Is Reverse-Charge VAT in Georgia? Who Must Apply Reverse-Charge VAT in Georgia What Counts as an “International Service” Under Georgian VAT Rules Reverse-Charge VAT vs VAT Registration in Georgia How Reverse-Charge VAT Works in Practice: Step by Step Reverse VAT for Non-VAT-Registered Businesses. The Costly Trap Why Reverse VAT Is a Banking and Compliance Issue Reverse-Cha
Apr 1512 min read


Can I.E.s Legally Deduct Business Expenses? Understanding Expense Rules Under the 1% Turnover Tax
Table of contents The Confusion Around “Business Expenses” in Georgia How Georgia’s 1% Small Business System Actually Works Why the 1% Turnover Tax Has No Expense Deductions Why Tracking Expenses Still Matters When Expense Deductions Become Available Common Myths About Deducting Expenses in Georgia Transition Planning: From 1% IE to LLC Mistakes IEs Make When Handling Expenses The Transition Threshold: When to Upgrade to LLC Preparing for Audits and Record Requests How Gegidz
Apr 912 min read


Georgia vs. Estonia: Where Should You Register Your Crypto Company?
Table of contents: Two Small Countries, One Big Question for Crypto Founders Legal Recognition of Crypto: The Core Difference Company Registration: Simplicity vs. Bureaucracy Tax Systems: The Deciding Factor Payroll and Contractor Tax VAT and Crypto Transactions Banking and Crypto-Fiat Integration Compliance: Stricter in Estonia, Simpler in Georgia Industry Use Cases: Who Gains the Most in Each Country A Founder’s Real-World Comparison Why Georgia’s Tax Regimes Outperform Est
Apr 811 min read


How to Legally Avoid the 3% Tax Rate: Managing Turnover and Timing the Transition out of Small Business Status
Table of contents TL;DR Introduction The Tax Rate Nobody Wants to Pay How Georgia's Small Business Status Actually Works What Happens at 500,000 GEL: The Three Scenarios Legal Ways to Manage Your Turnover and Stay at 1% The 3% Rate: When It Applies and How Long You're Stuck With It The LLC Option: What Changes and What Gets Better The Virtual Zone Option: When Your Work Qualifies for 0% Common Mistakes Individual Entrepreneurs Make Around the Threshold How Gegidze Helps Indiv
Apr 818 min read
bottom of page