Georgia Inheritance & Gift Tax Guide 2026

Overview — No Inheritance or Gift Tax

Georgia has eliminated all taxes on wealth transfers. There is no inheritance tax, no estate duty, no gift tax, and no death tax of any kind. This applies to all assets — cash, real estate, shares, business interests, and personal property — regardless of the relationship between the deceased and the heir or the value of the assets transferred. The absence of these taxes is part of Georgia's broader strategy of maintaining a simple, low-tax environment to attract international residents and investment. The only tax implication is that heirs inherit the deceased's original cost base for assets, meaning that if the heir later sells the asset, capital gains tax (at 20% for individuals, 15% for companies) applies on the full gain from the original cost base.

Gifts — No Gift Tax

Georgia does not impose tax on lifetime gifts, regardless of the value or the relationship between the donor and recipient. Key features:

• Cash gifts — no tax on any amount
• Real estate gifts — no gift tax (nominal registration fee applies)
• Share gifts — no gift tax
• Business gifts — no gift tax
• No annual exemption limit — there is no limit on tax-free gifts

The recipient inherits the donor's cost base for future capital gains purposes. There is no reporting requirement for gifts. The only cost associated with gifting property is the nominal registration fee at NAPR (typically GEL 50–200). Georgia does not have a general anti-avoidance rule that would recharacterise gifts as taxable transactions.

Inheritance — No Estate Tax

Assets passing on death are not subject to any Georgian tax. The heir receives the asset at the deceased's original acquisition cost (no step-up in basis). Key considerations:

• No estate tax — regardless of estate value
• No inheritance tax — regardless of relationship or amount
• No probate tax — only nominal court fees for probate if a will is contested
• Cost base carries over — the heir inherits the deceased's original cost base
• No deemed disposal on death — assets are not treated as sold at death

Foreign nationals with assets in Georgia benefit from the same rules. There is no Georgia estate tax on assets located in Georgia owned by non-residents. However, the deceased's home country may impose its own inheritance or estate tax on worldwide assets, including Georgian assets.

Wills & Succession Law

Succession in Georgia is governed by the Civil Code of Georgia. Key aspects include:

• Freedom of testation — individuals may dispose of their assets by will as they wish, subject to forced heirship rights for minor children and disabled dependants
• Formal requirements — a will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and notarised. Holographic wills (handwritten) are also recognised
• Intestate succession — if no will exists, the estate passes to the spouse, children, and parents in defined shares under the Civil Code
• Probate — the will is executed through the Notary Chamber or courts if contested. The process is generally straightforward
• Foreign wills — foreign wills may be recognised for Georgian assets but should ideally be validated through Georgian legal process

FAQs

Do I pay tax if I inherit property in Georgia and then sell it?

Yes, if you sell inherited property, you pay capital gains tax (20% for individuals, 15% for companies) on the gain — the difference between the sale price and the deceased's original purchase price. There is no step-up in basis at death.

Is there a way to transfer assets to family members tax-free?

Yes, lifetime gifts are tax-free in Georgia regardless of amount. If you gift property or shares to family members during your lifetime, no gift tax applies. The donee inherits your cost base.

Does Georgia recognise foreign wills for Georgian assets?

Yes, foreign wills may be recognised for assets located in Georgia, but the process typically requires validation through the Georgian Notary Chamber or courts. It is advisable to have a separate Georgian will for Georgian assets.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Georgian inheritance and gift tax for the 2026 tax year. Succession law is complex. Always consult with a qualified Georgian lawyer or tax advisor for advice specific to your situation. InvestmentKit does not provide tax or legal advice.