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Costs of running a macOS app studio business

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Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#81

Post by Jhsto »

isoprophlex wrote: post #6
jurgenkesker wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, here in The Netherlands I keep 60% of such income, compared to his 90% after tax.

Yeah. Start a BV (privately owned company) here and the tax calculation is similar, if not worse, in complexity and you get to hand over ~40% of your money... in a country with vastly higher CoL

It should be noted that for Europeans other alternatives exist, as you can freely shop any EU country to incorporate a business. Many of my tech friends have set a company in Estonia for tax planning once they have hit a certain revenue (and 0% corporate income tax).

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#82

Post by underwater »

Interesting to compare the commentary about paying taxes vs app store fees. The effective tax rate for income and healthcare for "corrupt politicians to line up their greasy pockets" is very close to the 15% that Apple charges as a fixed percentage. But the latter passes without judgement.

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#83

Post by novok »

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #78
micromacrofoot wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

because they say “not a good culture fit” and you can’t prove anything

Yup. Also, the entire industry pretty much actively supports and accommodates ageism. It's not like a few "rogue actors." Everyone is in on it, and it starts from the top. Also, I found out that some younger folks really hate us. A number of folks used the interview process to try humiliating me, and taking out their personal animus. After a few of these, I decided "Bugger this for a lark," and just accepted that I s…

Have you tried the indie software thing like this guy? How has that been going? I feel like I have enough saved now that even if I can't get corporate work anymore due to age (which I kind of doubt due to the age of people I've worked with in FANG, and the fact I'm already pretty much a manager of managers, which tends to run older) that I would be pretty happy doing the indie thing too.

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#84

Post by dazhbog »

tomschwiha wrote: post #68
wsh wrote: post #51

The author writes, about his purchases of computers, phones, and other hardware, “These are not recurring so I can't count them in.” Here in the U.S., many such items would be considered capital assets, for which the cost would be recognized as an expense over time through depreciation, for both management accounting and tax purposes. It appears Romanian practice is similar; see “Depreciation” on this page: https://t…

Here in Germany its similar, maybe its could be worth for the author to consult a tax consultant as he may be missing out quite some money. Also a wage you pay yourself is usually better off for tax readons - that's why the maximum wage you can pay yourself as business owner is limited.

Agree about the accountant, they are expensive in some countries, but usually worth it.

Can you elaborate on your last point? For salary you still need to pay >20% income tax + social insurance, and for dividends you still need to pay >20% after you just paid your corporation tax >15%.

I'm curious, why its better to pay yourself more, when your laptop, phone and even food can be covered by the company? (Assuming a single founder company, doing everything legally)

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#85

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

novok wrote: post #83
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yup. Also, the entire industry pretty much actively supports and accommodates ageism. It's not like a few "rogue actors." Everyone is in on it, and it starts from the top. Also, I found out that some younger folks really hate us. A number of folks used the interview process to try humiliating me, and taking out their personal animus. After a few of these, I decided "Bugger this for a lark," and just accepted that I s…

Have you tried the indie software thing like this guy? How has that been going? I feel like I have enough saved now that even if I can't get corporate work anymore due to age (which I kind of doubt due to the age of people I've worked with in FANG, and the fact I'm already pretty much a manager of managers, which tends to run older) that I would be pretty happy doing the indie thing too.

I'm working on apps for nonprofits that can't afford people of my caliber. I don't charge for my work, but take it every bit as seriously, as if I were. It's actually part of the satisfaction that I get from the work.

Keeps me busy and up-to-date, and is extremely gratifying.

I'm getting ready to release an app that is a top-to-bottom system, involving a couple of servers that I wrote, along with a fairly robust native iOS frontend.

Works a charm. I've enjoyed it. Of course, I have to keep my scope humble, but I've always been able to punch above my weight, so it's working out.

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#86

Post by ponector »

micromacrofoot wrote: post #57
Exoristos wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is that not actionable discrimination?

because they say “not a good culture fit” and you can’t prove anything

Or: "Thank you for your time, we decided to continue with another candidate."

And half of the companies simply ghosting unwanted candidates with no response after the interview.

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#88

Post by fipar »

Great post, happy Lunar user here!

I followed a kind of reverse path in a way: I ran my own small business for some years (first with a partner, then solo) but I eventually got burned out due to the feeling of being always-on. I’m now in contractor mode but working mostly like an employee for every project I participate in, and this did work better for me financially and personally too.

That said, I always think of maybe trying my business again (though I wouldn’t have employees next time around) and now that my daughter is about to start University doing animation and video games, who knows, maybe she needs a programmer one day and I can be that guy. That’d also help her work for herself and not be an employee. Thank you for an inspiring post!

Also, I somehow didn’t know about rcmd. I feel frustrated by cmd tab since ido-switch-buffer in emacs has spoiled me; it seems rcmd is close to that for task switching so I’ll give that a try right after my current vacation, so I’ll be a user of another software by you :)

Edit: s/helped/herself/

Re: Costs of running a macOS app studio business

#90

Post by newaccount74 »

Jhsto wrote: post #81
isoprophlex wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah. Start a BV (privately owned company) here and the tax calculation is similar, if not worse, in complexity and you get to hand over ~40% of your money... in a country with vastly higher CoL

It should be noted that for Europeans other alternatives exist, as you can freely shop any EU country to incorporate a business. Many of my tech friends have set a company in Estonia for tax planning once they have hit a certain revenue (and 0% corporate income tax).

You will still need to pay taxes once you take any money out of that company; whether it's payroll tax or capital gains tax. And there's also health insurance and pensions insurance.
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