One of the great things about Getting to Know You Tuesday is being able to introduce you to a number of great tax professions, some of which I know personally and some of which I only know virtually. Today’s guest is the former.
I first met Liz when we spoke together on a Pennsylvania Bar panel. I thought she brought a lot of great energy to the panel and struck up a conversation with her at the break.
I am especially pleased to introduce Liz because all too often, the tax pros that you meet in real life are… well… um… okay, they’re older and male. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” But it’s easy to forget that there are lots of young chicks like me (yes, I reserve the right to continue to call myself young for at least another 33 days) and Liz out there, plugging away at the profession. So, get to know Liz…
1. Where are you now?
In my office in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
2. What’s your official title and what does it mean?
I have my own firm. I wear all the hats, so I haven’t given myself an official title.
3. What books are on your nightstand?
Cross-X by Joe Miller (www.crossxbyjoemiller.com) and Your marketing Sucks by Mark Stevens.
4. If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be?
I would like to be Chief Applied Epistemologist for the National Security Administration. My passion is applied epistemology (the study of knowledge). A former professor of mine and I have a patent pending for an applied epistemology method.
5. What’s the last movie that you saw (DVD or in the theatre)?
Superbad—in the theatre.
6. Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest?
Employee benefits, death taxes, and nonprofit tax issues.
7. What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you?
Don’t quit your day job.
8. Coffee or tea?
Frappuccino.
9. Name five artists on your iPod (or mp3 player).
Allison Krauss
HEM
Iron & Wine
Goo Goo Dolls
Sarah McLachlan
10. What would I be surprised to know about you?
I speak Japanese.
11. What college did you attend (in what subject)?
Penn State University—Economics major
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?
Limit the Federal Estate Tax credit to $1,000,000.
13. What’s the best thing on TV right now?
Big Love.
14. What do you think Congress will repeal first: estate tax or AMT?
AMT
15. If Uncle Sam handed you a huge refund check right now, what would you do with it?
Travel.
16. Biggest tax newsmaker: KPMG, Jenkens Gilchrist or Richard Hatch?
Richard Hatch
17. And, other than taxgirl, what’s your favorite tax-related web site?
www.bnatax.com
Thanks, Liz! And Liz is still working on getting her website up and running… It’s http://www.elizabethgoldsteinlaw.com/ – for now, I get a 403 error (forbidden!) but check it out in the coming weeks.
I’d like Goldstein’s contact info if available. I’m a school teacher and need tax advice on 403(b) retirement plans.
Thanks,
Sebastian