Today’s
tax person is more of a “Twitter Buddy” than a “Tax Blogosphere Buddy”. I first came across Tracy Shannon Levey of
Parker Tax Publishing located in Bethesda MD when she began to follow and “RT”
me on Twitter.
Tracy’s
Twitter “handle” is “TaxAddict. I
erroneously thought her to be a tax professional – but was corrected after
sending her my interview questionnaire.
And Parker Tax Publishing does not actually “blog”, although they do
publish regular articles, often in depth, on tax issues online.
I
have adjusted my standard questionnaire slightly to accommodate Tracy's situation.
(1) How
did you become interested/involved in the world of taxes?
I
became involved in the tax world through my husband James Levey. He originally
founded Kleinrock Publishing which eventually was acquired by CCH and was
folded into their “Taxwise” product. We launched a new company in 2011 “Parker
Tax Publishing.” Parker Tax Pro Library is a tax research product for tax
practitioners that is comprehensive, easy to use and highly affordable. I am
the co-founder and the VP of Communications. A big part of my job consists of
posting our articles, client letters and bulletins across as many social
platforms as possible. They include LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter, Slideshare,
Tumblr, and Google+. Another important part of my job is the acquisition of
authors/writers for our product.
Since
starting Parker, I have interacted with many tax professionals through
discussion groups, phone calls and meetings. Including our staff of editors and
writers. I also network with others that provide services to the accounting
profession.
Posting
and interacting with tax professionals is very rewarding. They are dedicated
and I am very impressed with the vast amount of knowledge that tax
professionals have and their ability to keep up with the constant changes. They
are always thankful for “free” information and so many love to discuss the
issues/changes on a daily basis.
I
am not completely without writing/editing experience in regards to our articles
that we offer to the public. I give ideas as to what is hot, I read and help
edit many article to enhance their readability.
(2) What
is your educational background?
My
background is in social services (MA in Nonprofit Management from The Sawyer
School of Business) I am also a Certified Web Developer/Designer.
(3)
How has posting articles helped your business?
Posting
has helped build our brand recognition in so many ways. Potential customers are
able to read valuable content and it helps them get to know Parker and the
quality of our product. So many potential customers call and refer to an
article they have read and want to know more about us. They also have a face
and name that they recognize (me.) Our best social media avenues thus far are
LinkedIn and Twitter.
(4) What
do you consider the “best tax advice” you can give anyone?
My lay
advice would be to keep great records.
(5) Do you
support the decision in Loving v IRS, or do you support mandatory regulation?
I
personally support mandatory regulation of tax preparers. I feel the public is
unaware of the difference and doesn’t understand that the preparer must sign
their tax forms. Many “lay” individuals are using tax software meant for individual
use (TurboTax for example.) This leaves many vulnerable to IRS penalties. I do
know that there is a cost element for licensure, however I believe it is well
below $500. CPAs, Enrolled Agents, etc. also pay fees (for example: CPE
requirements.) To protect the public, I feel it is necessary.
(6) How
would you reform/rewrite the Tax Code?
Under the “clean slate” method of tax reform what tax expenditures
(deductions, credits, exclusions) would you keep and why?
My
undergrad degree is in political science so I have strong feelings about the
way our government spends internationally. I think we need to rethink our
expenditures in the military and in military aid to countries that don’t really
need it. I feel we need to add even more money into job programs such as the
rebuilding of our infrastructure and educating/reeducating those who are out of
work. I believe in a strong military, however, the overall system is too intertwined
with lobbyists, bureaucrats trying to hold on to their territory and politician
trying to keep the pork barrel wheeling in.
As
my background is in social services, you can probably figure out that I feel
our tax system should be used in a way that redistributes wealth from the
extreme haves to the have nots. I would also keep the child tax credit, “green”
credits for homeowners and businesses, and especially the ability to write off
donations to charity. I think our tax system should reward those that are
helping our environment, our vulnerable and our families.
I
have recently been studying estate issues and tax haven issues. I do not feel
well read enough to write with authority. But in general, I am all for finding
those who abuse tax havens. And, given the huge amount of wealth transfer that
is occurring from one generation to the next, I do believe a substantial amount
of the top 5% wealth should be taxed to help our current economic situation.
(7) Do
you think the Tax Code should be used to deliver social welfare benefits?
I
absolutely do think that our tax code should be used to redistribute wealth. I
am aware that there are those that “abuse” social benefits, but I think is our
moral duty of our nation to take care of those who are in need. I support
programs that help those who are unable to work for health (mental or physical)
reasons. Training programs to help put others to work is a win – win situation.
(8) What
is your favorite Broadway musical – and why?
This
is a hard question! I have 5 favorites. I pick Man of La Mancha. Its glorious.
The music, the songs, the hope, the love! “To dream the impossible dream.”
Words to live by.
A
good choice for musical. As I mentioned
to Tracy when hearing her choice I, too, dream an impossible dream – that the
idiots in Congress pass substantive tax reform this year.
Unfortunately
it appears Tracy and I disagree on the issues addressed in the interview –
required government regulation of tax preparers and using the 1040 to
redistribute wealth and deliver social benefits.
While
the various social benefits Tracy refers to in her answer to #7 may be
legitimate and necessary – I truly believe that they do not belong in the Tax
Code. If the government wants to provide
these benefits it should be done in a more conventional manner through the
various budgets of the appropriate cabinet departments.
Thanks
to Tracy for participating.
TTFN
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