Individual Entrepreneur in Georgia — Game Development Studio Formation Guide
Prioritize jurisdictions with strong Intellectual Property (IP) protection and favorable R&D tax credits. If you plan to publish on Steam, Epic, or mobile app stores, consider the withholding tax treaties between your company's jurisdiction and the US to avoid double taxation on royalties.
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
1.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$10
Annual Fee
$0
Forming a Individual Entrepreneur in Georgia as a Game Development Studio means a total tax burden of 1.0% and an official formation cost of $10. There is no minimum capital requirement. Standard formation takes 2-3 business days, or 1 business day expedited. No local director is required; the process can be managed remotely. This guide covers the steps, tax breakdown, banking options, and compliance requirements — all from verified data.
First-year total cost
≈ $845
Ongoing (per year)
≈ $510
Why Individual Entrepreneur for Game Development Studio?
A business model focused on designing, developing, and monetizing video games for PC, console, mobile, or VR platforms. Revenue typically comes from premium sales, in-app purchases, subscriptions, or publisher funding.
Ideal for
- Indie game developers
- Mobile app creators
- VR/AR studios
- Esports game developers
Challenges to watch
- Long development cycles with delayed revenue
- High platform fees (e.g., 30% on Steam/Apple)
- Complex international withholding taxes on royalties
- Protecting intellectual property and game assets
Key decision criteria
- US tax treaty network for royalty withholding taxes
- Availability of R&D tax incentives or video game tax reliefs (VGTR)
- Strong IP assignment laws for contractors and employees
- Access to global payment gateways for direct sales
Individual Entrepreneur formation requirements
Minimum capital
None
Standard timeline
2-3 business days
Expedited timeline
1 business day
Local director
Not required
Registered office
Virtual office allowed
Notarization
Required
100% foreign ownership is allowed. No local partner or resident director is needed.
Estimated breakdown (based on avg. $250,000 revenue)
Simulate with your own revenue →
VAT / Sales Tax
Standard rate 18%. Registration threshold: 100,000 GEL. Non-resident companies providing B2C digital services in Georgia must register and charge 18% VAT. B2B transactions fall under the reverse charge mechanism.
Banking & payments for Game Development Studio
Opening a bank account in person is straightforward and usually takes 1-3 days. Remote opening is possible via a notarized and apostilled Power of Attorney, though banks have increased KYC scrutiny for non-residents. Multi-currency accounts (GEL, USD, EUR, GBP) are issued by default.
Supported payment gateways
Remote-friendly accounts
Bank of Georgia
One of the largest banks in Georgia. Offers excellent digital banking, multi-currency accounts, and premium 'SOLO' banking. Remote opening is possible via Power of Attorney.
TBC Bank
A major traditional bank with strong business tools and a premium 'Concept' tier. Supports remote account opening via Power of Attorney.
Payoneer
A global fintech widely used by Georgian IT contractors and freelancers to receive USD/EUR payments from international clients.
Georgia incentives & advantages
Small Business Status (SBS)
1% tax rate on gross revenue instead of the standard 20% personal income tax.
0% VAT on Exported IT Services
No VAT is charged on invoices to foreign clients, increasing international competitiveness.
Individual Entrepreneur formation steps
Draft and notarize a Power of Attorney (PoA) and passport copy, then apostille or legalize them in your home country.
Send the physical apostilled documents via international courier to your representative in Georgia.
Secure a registered legal address in Georgia (usually provided by a local agency) and obtain the property owner's consent.
Your representative translates the documents into Georgian and notarizes the translation locally.
File the Individual Entrepreneur registration application at the Public Service Hall (House of Justice).
Once registered (usually 1-2 days), apply for the Small Business Status at the Revenue Service to activate the 1% tax rate.
Open a multi-currency corporate bank account (GEL, USD, EUR) at a local bank like Bank of Georgia or TBC.
Game Development Studio FAQ
Why does the US tax treaty matter for game developers?
Major platforms like Steam and Apple are US-based. Without a favorable tax treaty, the IRS may withhold up to 30% of your US sales revenue. Incorporating in a jurisdiction with a 0% or low treaty rate for royalties is crucial.
Should I incorporate before starting development?
Yes, incorporating early ensures that all IP created by founders and contractors is legally owned by the company from day one, making it much easier to secure publishers or investors later.
What are R&D tax credits?
Many countries offer tax incentives for software development. Jurisdictions like the UK, Canada, or France provide specific tax reliefs for video game production, which can significantly lower your effective tax rate or provide cash rebates.
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Related guides
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One-time and annual cost breakdown
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