I’m not the only tax professional hooked on the Olympics this year. The next tax pro in my Getting to Know You Tuesday series, Bree G. Vopelak, has copped to watching the trials earlier in the season. When not cheering on Team USA, she works at a law firm, Hamilton | Vopelak P.C., in Grapevine, Texas. Here’s what Bree had to say:
1. Where are you now?
In my office (Grapevine, Texas) with the A/C on, trying to stay out of the 100+ degree heat outside.
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
My official title is “Shareholder.” My law partner and I don’t take titles very seriously; in this vein, we generally refer to me as the “Manager of the Managing Shareholder.”
3. What books are on your night stand?
Decision Points, The Help, and Eat, Pray, Love
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
A wedding/event planner for sure! Needless to say, I was the only one in my tax LL.M. program who did not plan on being a tax professional in college.
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
Rock of Ages
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
The majority of my practice is tax compliance and controversy work for tax-exempt organizations (including, churches, religious organizations, public charities, private foundations, and company sponsored private foundations). The remaining portion of my practice is estate planning work.
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Start contributing to your retirement plan early and contribute as much as you can.
8. Coffee or tea?
Hot tea please!
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Zac Brown Band, Kristin Chenoweth (from the Broadway show “Wicked”), Wilson Phillips, Rascal Flatts, and Vanilla Ice (yes, I have Vanilla Ice on my iPod).
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
I am addicted to couponing! I desperately needed something to break up all the tax code sections swirling in my head, so I coupon and put together “beauty buckets” for a local nonprofit that helps individuals with transitional housing.
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
Texas A&M University, Speech Communications with a minor in Business and English
12. If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax code tomorrow – an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever – what would it be?
From someone who has calculated AMT by hand, I would quickly abolish AMT. If that was not an option, then I would want to increase the maximum educator expense deduction (currently at $250 per person) to allow teachers to deduct more of what they actually spend.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
Royal Pains and the Olympic Trials
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
I think they will repeal the estate tax because I’m not sure many understand AMT.
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Start my own nonprofit!
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Obama, Bloomberg or Buffett?
Right now, I think Obama is the biggest tax newsmaker because of election and health care media coverage.
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?
Tax Notes Today and TaxProf Blog
