José Fuentes Jiménez

Where do you reside?
I live in Paris, France.

What got you involved in the tax profession?
As an immigrant in France, I often received questions from fellow immigrants and expatriates (expats) on how to better organize and manage their tax situations. Over time, I realized I was consistently helping many friends and acquaintances, which eventually led me to formally enter the profession.

What is your day job?
I currently focus on tax and mobility advisory work for international clients.

Where do you see the tax profession going in the future?
As more people move beyond traditional work and lifestyle setups, we’ll see increasingly complex tax situations that require professional guidance. I see the industry
continuing to grow and evolve.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by all things beautiful and how they relate to and enhance the human experience. I love nature, but I’m drawn to the arts—music, in particular—which is one of the reasons I ended up living in Paris.

What are you most proud of personally or professionally?
Professionally, I am proud to have launched several business ventures—some more successful than others—all of which have been very valuable learning experiences. Personally, I am very proud of the love I give and get from my friends and family.

What is your favorite quote or motto?
“Truth is powerful, and it prevails.” – Sojourner Truth

What do you do for fun?
I sing all day, every day, currently as a tenor-in-training. And I’m proud to say that I’ve taken quite a liking to physical activities, including weightlifting and jogging.

Superpower you wish you had and why?
The ability to read people’s minds. But not in a creepy way! It would be mostly to avoid any faux pas.

What is one goal you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?
Calling myself truly happy. I am getting there.

Advice to your 20-year-old self?
If you want to do something, go to those who have done it before you and take their advice to heart.

Favorite travel destination?
London, for the chatty Brits, the food scene, and the theater.

If you could have dinner with one historical figure, who would it be and why?
Maria Callas. Full stop. To be able to pick her mind and understand her artistic sensibilities—a man can dream.

What’s a skill you’d like to learn?
I want to learn how to paint. I have ideas in my head, but not yet the skills to execute them!

Favorite thing about your job?
The flexible schedule and making people’s complicated lives just a bit simpler.

If you could be any character in fiction, who would you be?
Maybe Totoro from Studio Ghibli. He’s just chilling most of the time, but always there when he’s needed and when it matters.