It’s Getting to Know You Tuesday! Today’s guest is Scott Small. I first met Scott at a Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE. If you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak, absolutely go. You won’t regret it.
And now, Scott’s answers:
1. Where are you now?
At the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
National Director, Estate Settlement. It means that I run the group of people that handle those estates where Mellon is named as Executor or Co-Executor.
3. What books are on your nightstand?
The Color of Baseball (about Buck O’Neil of the Negro League), Boomsday (Christopher Buckley) and Nature Girl (Carl Hiaasen)
[editorial comment: Scott, you’ll have to let me know about Boomsday, I’ve heard terrific things about it!]
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
Radio announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
Federal Estate and Gift Tax; PA Inheritance Tax
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Hogs get slaughtered.
8. Coffee or tea?
Coffee
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
The Who, Green Day, Buddy Rich Big Band, Smashmouth, Chick Corea/Bela Fleck
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
I am an Eagle Scout.
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. (GO BLUE!) I was in the UM Marching Band Drumline for 2 years. My major was Classical Languages and Literature (Latin and Ancient Greek).
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?
I would make both the lifetime and the at-death applicable exclusion amount from the Federal Estate and Gift Taxes freely alienable.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
Robin Hood on BBC America.
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
Neither. Both will be reformed, not repealed.
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Pay down my mortgage.
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: KPMG, Jenkens Gilchrist or Richard Hatch?
KPMG. What an abuse of prosecutorial discretion.
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax-related web site?
AFR Monthly, of course!
—
Thanks, Scott!
Hello Kelly,
Very interesting interview of Scott.
“What would I be surprised to know about you?
I am an Eagle Scout.” 🙂
alienable: transferrable to the ownership of another
I had not idea I could expand my vocabulary reading TaxGirl. 🙂
Great interview!
You’ll have to tell me about the next green day album. You’ve got great insight !