Meet Derren Joseph
An IRS Enrolled Agent who trained in comparative tax at Harvard, Derren leads HTJ's international tax practice, advising entrepreneurs, expats and investors whose lives and businesses cross borders.
The Person Leading Your File
Derren Hayden Joseph is an IRS Enrolled Agent, admitted to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, and completed the Comparative Tax Program at Harvard. He advises US persons and cross-border families on the tax consequences of living, investing and building companies across multiple jurisdictions.
The practice was started in 1980 by his father, Hayden T Joseph. Derren runs it today under the HTJ.Tax name, headquartered in Singapore with representative offices across Europe, the UAE and the US. His clients are international entrepreneurs, expats and investors exposed to more than one tax system at once, exactly the situations where a single-country accountant runs out of road.
Alongside his practice, Derren writes and publishes on international tax and hosts the firm's long-running video series, working to make cross-border tax something people can actually understand before they have to make a decision about it.
Tax optimization, asset protection and compliance, handled together, for people whose lives don't fit inside one border.
About Derren
Welcome to HTJ. TAX!
Education Summary
- Comparative Tax Program at Harvard.
- I am an EA (Enrolled Agent). As an EA, I have been admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to represent taxpayers in all 50 states and internationally.
- 2 Masters Degrees in Economics and a Certified Diploma from the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UK).
- Executive Education at Columbia Business School, and Advanced Tax coursework at both New York University and the University of London.
Career Summary
- Chair of the Tax Working Group for Moores Rowland International (offices in over 30 countries).
- Leadership / Global Committee of the International Business Structuring Association.
- Member of the Briefing Group advising The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of London on current and emerging international tax issues.
- Board of Advisors of the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe.
- Board of Advisors of an American Social Media company called Vlogmi AI.
- Published 3 books on taxation, one of which was an Amazon Best Seller in 2020.
- Guest Lecturer – Postgraduate Program in Private Clients at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (more information).
Published In
My views have been published in the Bloomberg, the Singapore Business Review, Forbes (Asia), and the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, the International Business Structuring Association (in the UK), Offshore Alert, and the (Trinidad) Guardian.
Seminars Delivered
I have delivered seminars in several jurisdictions including the U.S., the U.K., Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the Caribbean, France, Spain, Portugal, the UAE, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan.
As Featured In The Press
Top Tax & Accountants Advisory Service in APAC 2026
HTJ.Tax is the cover feature of Financial Services Review, recognised for Building Resilient Global Tax Strategies — with Managing Partner Derren Hayden Joseph on coordinating US tax depth with cross-border execution.
“International tax planning cannot be approached from a single-country perspective. Effective outcomes require qualified professionals in multiple jurisdictions working together.” Derren Hayden Joseph — Managing Partner, HTJ.Tax · Chair, MRI Tax Working Group
Also featured in
Where Derren Spends His Time
Tax Optimization
Structuring income, residency and holdings across jurisdictions so US persons pay what they owe, and not a dollar more, without stepping over the line.
Asset Protection
Trusts, foundations, insurance wrappers and offshore structures, used properly and reported correctly, to protect what has been built.
Compliance Obligations
The US filing web, FBAR, FATCA, information returns and treaty positions, kept clean so a cross-border life doesn't turn into a cross-border problem.
Second Citizenship & Residency
The tax side of second passports and residencies, planned before the move rather than untangled afterwards.
Where to Follow Derren
Derren publishes regularly on international tax. If you want to understand your situation before you talk to anyone, this is a good place to start.
Our International Tax Service Has Been in Practice Since 1980
Led by Derren Hayden Joseph, Managing Partner
- Chair, Tax Working Group — Moores Rowland International
- Harvard University, Comparative Tax Program
- Admitted to practice before the IRS
- IRS Certified Acceptance Agent (ITINs)
2,000+ reviews across 20 countries·30+ offices on 5 continents·In practice since 1980
Public registers and memberships
Member firm of Moores Rowland International
Member firm of ITPA
Member firm of IBSA
Member of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers
Authorized IRS E-file provider
Member firm of TTN
Member of AmCham Singapore
Member of AmCham Dubai
Member of AmCham Philippines
Member of AmCham Indonesia
Independently verified on Google — every office, every review.
IRS Enrolled Agents vs CPAs vs Tax Lawyers – What is the Difference?
To allow us to provide a wider range of services to our clients, we have Strategic Alliances with I.R.S. Enrolled Agents, International Tax Attorneys, and Qualified Accountants / CPAs. What’s the difference?
In short, a certified public accountant (CPA) is an expert in accounting. Tax matters are one of many specialties of CPAs. While an Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax practitioner who is authorized by the United States Federal government. EAs are specifically skilled tax experts who are empowered to represent clients before the IRS and can handle matters concerning collections, appeals and audits.
A tax attorney, as the name implies, is a tax law specialist and can represent a client in a court of law. If you find yourself in a difficult tax situation, and you feel you might be headed to court, the person to hire is a tax attorney.
Enrolled agents can represent you before the IRS, but only an attorney can represent you in court. Enrolled Agents are the only tax professionals who get their license to practice directly from the IRS and the United States Treasury.
There are two paths to becoming an EA.
- After working for the IRS for five years, an agent can become an EA without passing an examination.
- Without working for the IRS, one must pass a thorough background check and a three part exam.
Enrolled agents specialize in the US tax code and tax matters. An EA must know all of the ins and outs of income tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, and payroll tax. The continuing professional education required for an EA is seventy-two hours every three years.
A CPA’s continuing education will cover a wide range of accounting and tax matters, but an EA’s education will focus solely on taxation.
An EA tends to have more expertise in tax matters than a CPA. EAs are the only federally authorized tax professionals licensed to practice across all 50 states. The IRS itself recognizes EAs as tax experts. Please note that there is limited privilege in communications between a federally authorized tax practitioner and a taxpayer to the extent the communication would be considered privileged if it were between an attorney and a taxpayer. For this privilege to apply, the communication must be for the purpose of securing tax advice with an expectation of confidentiality. This privilege is limited to noncriminal matters before the IRS or a federal court.
Derren's Recent YouTube Videos
The 15% Minimum Tax Rate Rule on Foreign-Sourced Income in SG, HK & MY
15 September 2026
Why Do Companies Still Choose Singapore Despite Remittance Rules?
14 September 2026
Will Malaysia Extend the Corporate Dividend Exemption Beyond 2026?
13 September 2026
Does Malaysia Tax Foreign-Source Dividends?
12 September 2026
Must Exempt Foreign Income Be Declared in Malaysia?
11 September 2026
Is Foreign Rental Income Taxable in Singapore?
10 September 2026Put Your Situation in Front of Derren's Team
Tell us where your situation crosses borders. A specialist reviews it and tells you honestly how HTJ can help.
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