I just got back from an amazing vacation to France. Great, you say! And what in the world does that have to do with multi-state tax consulting? Well, it depends on how you look at it.
Here are some things I learned in France that might relate a little bit to state tax consulting:
- The laws of wine-making (and labelling) in France’s Burgundy wine region are every bit as complicat
ed as dealing with state tax laws. In Burgundy, it is very important to know how to read a label. It will tell you whether the grapes come from the most prestigious areas (a “Grand Cru” or a “Premier Cru”), or simply from the Burgundy region or “Village”. Even within the villages, there are specific plots of vines that have specific names and must be labeled on the bottles accordingly. Two plots next to each other may produce very different wines. So, it’s important to sample many different ones to determine which one you like the best! - In France, there are still many chateaux (castles) dotting the landscape. Some are very large and stand high on hills as the main landmark of a little town. And some are smaller and within the villages themselves, not as ostentatious, but often still operating as people’s homes (or converted to hotels or B&Bs). We stayed in a lovely chateau like that for a few nights. And it had a moat! The whole concept of a moat (and staying in a castle with a moat) made me smile each time I went outside. Back here in the real world, we deal with states offering tax credits and incentives. And I couldn’t help but wonder, would states like California be happier if we could just build a moat around our state to keep others out (and our companies in)?
- Monet’s garden at Giverny, with its water lilies, famous bridges and weeping willow trees was like stepping out of (or into) a painting. To be able to witness Monet’s water lily paintings in the Musee d’Orsay and the L’Orangerie and then also witness the actual garden that inspired thos
e works was amazing. Art and poetry in motion. Do you suppose anyone out there ever thinks, “Wow, I read a state tax statute one day and applied it to a client situation the next day and it’s true poetry in motion.” Of course they do!
OK, I admit it! I still have a little bit of vacation-brain. And the examples above are huge stretches to try to convince anyone that my trip to France had ANYTHING to do with multi-state tax consulting. However, probably the most important thing that I did learn about my business while on vacation was that it’s OK to go on vacation. We all know that it’s important to get away and “sharpen the saw” on occasion, but we tend to forget that, so it’s good to be reminded. I have a great team of people that kept the lights on, took care of clients, and fielded phone calls and solicitors in my absence. You know that feeling you get when you know you’ve got it handled? I truly did. And it enabled me to experience amazing things that I don’t see every day. And, perhaps notwithstanding that stretch on the above items, it has truly enabled me to come back sharper and ready to put those state tax statutes back to work for my clients. Bonjour! It’s a new day!
