The standard billing routes and their limitations
The first option is direct invoicing as a Georgian sole proprietor or business. You send an invoice with your bank details, and the client’s AP team must process a non-US payee. Many US companies resist because international wires bring higher fees, longer settlement, and extra forms like W-8BEN.
The second route is a freelance platform. It handles invoicing and payment for a cut—often 5 to 20 percent of each contract. You lose direct control over the client relationship, and withdrawal minimums or currency conversion may further reduce what you keep.
The third is forming a US LLC to bill clients domestically. This removes transfer friction but layers on annual reports, registered agent expense, and US tax filings. For many solo contractors, the overhead simply isn’t worthwhile.
Why client reluctance matters more than you think
Even a willing client faces internal hurdles. Their accounts payable system may flag any foreign bank as an exception, triggering vendor onboarding that takes weeks and demands repeated identity verification. That stalls your income and tests the client’s patience.
On the freelancer’s side, a SWIFT transfer to Georgia often means intermediary bank charges and an exchange rate set by the receiving bank. The conversion from dollars to lari can silently shave 2–5 percent off the invoiced amount, making it hard to price projects accurately. For occasional small invoices, these losses might go unnoticed; on larger or recurring contracts, they add up fast.
Merchant of record: the US invoice, the crypto payment
A merchant of record reverses the flow: Panorama Systems Florida LLC issues a US invoice, the client pays dollars domestically, and Panorama Systems pays you after deducting its fee. Bank transfers to Georgia—Wise, SWIFT, SEPA, local rails—are not offered. Payouts settle in USDT over TRC-20, ERC-20, BEP-20, TON, or Solana.
You then convert USDT to lari on a Georgian exchange or peer-to-peer market, bearing the exchange risk and any network fees. This model solves the client’s cross-border problem entirely, but it shifts the currency conversion and volatility risk onto you. It makes sense when a client insists on a US entity and you’re comfortable managing a crypto wallet.
Tax obligations and the freelancer relationship
You remain an independent contractor, not an employee of Panorama Systems. The company does not deduct Georgian income tax, pay social contributions, or offer tax guidance. You are responsible for reporting your earnings to the local revenue authority and settling any obligation.
The working relationship with the client stays in your hands—you set rates, scope, and deadlines. The invoice may show a Florida address, but that doesn’t interfere with your day-to-day work. For clients that require a W-9, the US entity supplies it, removing a barrier that might otherwise end the conversation before it begins.