Sovereign

Relocation Playbook

Move from San Francisco to Dublin

Startups relocate to Ireland for 6.25% KDB regime and friendlier personal taxes. We quantify the delta across tax, cost of living, and monthly cash flow so you can ship an evidence-backed relocation memo.

San Francisco Net Pay

$170,440

Effective rate 29.0% • marginal 39.6%

Dublin Net Pay

€141,744

Effective rate 35.8% • marginal 44.5%

Annual delta

-$16,370.43

After tax & social costs on $240,000 package

Tax structure breakdown

  • Knowledge Development Box drops corp tax to 6.25%
  • No California franchise tax or city tax
  • Preferred access to EU banking + PSD2 partners

Cost of living shift

Cost of living

96

Cost of living

97

Rent index

98

Rent index

68

Differences in rent and COL mean the tax delta compounds into lifestyle gains.

Relocation timeline

  1. Week 0-4: Finalize offer structure, trigger exit tax planning in San Francisco, and launch visa applications for Dublin.
  2. Week 4-10: Relocate, lease housing, and obtain tax residency certificates (TRC/Tax Domicile). Update payroll & equity grant paperwork.
  3. Week 10+: Rebuild allowances and cash management to exploit Dublin benefits (housing stipends, CPF/GOSI options, corporate structures).