The Union of Trade and Commercial Centers (Markets) has formally appealed to the Georgian Parliament to postpone the mandatory implementation of cash registers for market-based traders until January 1, 2030. The request, signed by Union Chairman Mukhran Bagrationi, was submitted on June 9 and has since been referred to the Parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee for further evaluation.
Under the current Tax Code, vendors in charge of market stalls will be required to use cash registers starting in 2026. But the Union argues the regulation is not synced with Georgia’s socio-economic situation, warning that it would disproportionately harm vulnerable traders.
“This regulation will impose additional financial burdens and may lead to job losses, further deteriorating the already fragile social conditions of these individuals,” the Union stated in its letter.
As the Union states, many traders affected by the change are elderly or have limited education and financial resources, making the purchase and operation of cash register systems a significant challenge. They stress that the shift would also demand technical training and infrastructure investments that many cannot afford.
“The fact that this regulation has technically been in place since 2005, but has never been enforced, raises serious questions about its practical applicability. The continued deferral for nearly two decades suggests the market simply isn’t ready,” the letter reads.
The Union proposes two paths forward: either postpone the mandatory change to 2030 or allow a voluntary adoption model that gives traders and fair organizers the choice to implement the systems at their own pace. The Union also calls for a review of penalties in case on non-compliance, urging lawmakers to reduce or put them in place gradually.
“Our appeal is aligned with the state’s broader fiscal goals,” the statement concludes, “but we advocate for a phased and humane approach that respects the economic constraints of small traders.”
