2. I used to be

3. Then I became

4. Now I’m

5. Though many people think

6. Who am I? I have ‘homes’ at : ZDNet (US): Irregular Enterprise & Enterprise Alley ITPro (UK): Governance, risk & compliance AccMan: ‘Innovation for professional accountants’ IT Counts: ICAEW IT community and... TWITTER!!!!!!

7. Tax doesn’t have to be taxing Yeah right.....

8. This is us I guess

9. We’ve all got to pay so...

10. But you don’t have to leave a tip

13. Beware the exotic

14. Don’t be stupid “ An investment banker who used his wife’s and children’s names in tax evasions dating back to 1977 was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for tax crimes, including the first criminal conviction for not paying the nanny tax.” NYT: 2007

15. Don’t be a smart ass Smart ass Club Fed

16. Offshoring We all want the Good Life - and it’s ‘over there’

17. Attitudes to tax Country Hate Don’t like UK ✔ France ✔ Germany US ✔ Spain ✔ Italy ✔

18. Attitudes to tax Country What it means UK Savvy - into avoidance ✔ France 27-30% GDP in shadow economy Germany Into avoidance, will evade US Heavily into avoidance, sometimes dumb ✔ Spain Evasion = national sport, 25% in cash Italy 3 sets of accounts - go figure!

19. Location, location, location

24. Location, location, location In some European countries, it is simply not worth employing people as a person running a small business. THIS CAN MEAN IT IS NOT WORTH BEING IN BUSINESS AT ALL

25. Location, location, location Remember : If you choose to live in a country because of its lifestyle (like France/Spain/Switzerland), then be prepared to pay the price, especially if you are a high earner.

26. Location, location, location Remember : The overall tax cost of living in a country is NOT one figure but a combination of ‘taxes’ that include income/business tax, social security and mandatory pensions costs. Making direct comparisons is not easy. Therefore....

27. Oh shit! This is all way too complicated Therefore....

28. Seek the best LOCAL advice

29. and not....

31. Accounting: sounds like fun

32. Keep it simple

33. DIY or get help? =

34. DIY or get help?

35. Here’s the problem Most accounting systems were not built with you in mind

38. Blinksale

40. Freshbooks

42. FreeAgent

44. Why not free?

45. What else?

46. Live forever?

47. Not really

48. So save!

51. Thanks & Questions [email_address] twitter.com/dahowlett