It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s guest is Chris Bale (no, he’s not that Christian Bale) of… well, where to start? Chris is a web site maniac. Check ’em out:
www.etaxjobs.com
www.mytaxcareer.com
www.taxgrotto.com
Chris is our second UK tax guru (since I know you’re wondering, Richard Murphy was the first).
And now, onto the questions…
1. Where are you now?
In Newcastle airport (UK), waiting for plane to go to Toronto to see some clients over there. Oh, you mean employer I think? I am associated with eTaxJobs.com, taxgrotto.com and mytaxcareer.com
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
Shareholder/Director – it means I am in charge (allegedly)
3. What books are on your nightstand?
Lots by Alfred Bester (amazing visionary for his time)
Also Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl (great new author)
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
Milkman – fresh air, exercise and don’t need to talk to anyone because I am delivering the milk so damn early
(we still get milk delivered to our house each morning in the UK – I know this is rare anywhere else in the world)
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (with my son !)
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
People trafficking – no seriously, I am interested in the ability of tax professionals to move cross-border with their skills. It is becoming increasingly common to be able to utilise one’s tax knowledge in different jurisdictions, especially in the realms of Transfer Pricing, Indirect Tax, Supply Chain Management, Private Equity/M&A Tax
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Don’t get married (but I did)
8. Coffee or tea?
Fresh Espresso first thing, then tea all day
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
None, I listen to spoken word
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
I was not very good at tax
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
Durham University, UK, – Psychology
12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?
Blanket legislation to prevent ultra HNW individuals from offshoring their assets. It’s coming anyway but the buggers are getting away with murder right now.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
Scrubs & Ugly Betty
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
Estate tax
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Send it back, am UK resident
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: KPMG, Jenkens Gilchrist or Richard Hatch?
KPMG
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax-related web site?
LOL (nice plug) – Taxalicious
—
Thanks, Chris!
