One of the interesting things about tax is that it touches everything – and nearly everyone. You can work in the tax field and be an auditor, a tax agent, an attorney or an accountant – or you can write about tax as a copywriter, journalist or blogger. While I’ve traditionally featured tax attorneys and tax accountants, today’s tax pro for Getting to Know You Tuesday is a writer. Specifically, she’s a copywriter for JG Tax Group, a tax resolution firm. Her name is Karen Neicy and here’s what she had to say:
1. Where are you now?
Sitting in my home office, overlooking a sky full of typical, unpredictable Florida weather.
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
I work for a “horizontal company”. That’s a fancy way of saying that my boss does not assign titles. I’m a copywriter, designer, and SEO specialist. I create content and read a lot about taxes.
3. What books are on your night stand?
Let’s see…The Divine Comedy, The Evolution of Jazz, and Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys.
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
Famous Screenwriter and Director.
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
Moonrise Kingdom, in the theatre.
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
Tax Resolution. Helping people who owe money to the IRS. Specifically, writing about it.
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me. Wu-Tang). Save, save, save. I pay one bill a month and everything else goes in the bank. I grow my own vegetables, use public transportation, and live with my parents. I think the most important thing for people my age to do is save as much as possible. The future is uncertain and having to pay for things isn’t.
8. Coffee or tea?
Loose leaf mint tea. Caffeine free.
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Aesop Rock, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Bob Dylan…
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
Facebook is not my only means of communication.
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
The University of Central Florida. I double majored in English Literature and Philosophy with a minor in African American Studies
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?
Get rid of the estate tax.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
“Girls” on HBO. The first season just ended. I traded my television for an easel in 2006 and haven’t looked back, but I downloaded each episode after hearing how great it was, and it is.
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
Estate tax. It’s ridiculous.
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Put it in my savings account.
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: Obama, Bloomberg or Buffett?
Right now, Obama. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is getting a lot of coverage, especially this month. The House is trying quite hard to ensure it does not receive the funding it requires.
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax related web site?
Taxgirl is by far my favorite and it’s hard to find anything that comes close, but I guess I’d go with the IRS website (IRS.gov). There’s a ton of information on there that can help people with just about any tax related issue.
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Thanks, Karen!
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If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured send your suggestions to inquiry (at) taxgirl (dot) com. Self-nominations are totally okay and, in fact, encouraged!
