1) What made you study Tax Law?

Tax law is great because it's constantly changing. No taxpayer's situation is ever exactly the same as another - and that keeps my job interesting.

2) Please tell us about the audit processes you performed for federal estate tax returns.

When returns get pulled for examination, there's usually “something” about them that attracted attention. On the federal estate tax side, my main job was to review an issue that had been flagged as potentially problematic - maybe a charitable deduction that wasn't substantiated or a marital deduction that didn't make sense.

3) What types of tax topics do you talk about on your blog?

It depends on the time of year. This time of year, I'm talking a lot about compliance - the importance of filing on time, keeping good records and substantiating deductions. In a few months, I'll shift gears and start talking about mid-year planning, including business succession planning.

4) What sort of new and present tax topics are being talked about on a national level?

I think the two biggest topics right now are how the health care reform bill (I just wrote a piece about this) will affect individual and business taxpayers, and increased audits and examinations in the current economy. It boils down to fears about the economy: how to pay for anything is a hot topic these days.

5) What advice can you give our readers on federal income tax returns?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's true that the Tax Code is confusing, but that doesn't mean that you should run from it. Whether you're on your own or dealing with a tax professional, you should make sure that you understand your return. If you don't, pipe up. Ask your tax professional or call the IRS - I think most people are surprised to find how helpful they can be.

6) What sort of tax questions do people commonly ask you?

The most common questions tend to revolve around what's deductible, and what isn't. This year, I've also gotten a lot of questions about filing status; not just on my blog, but in my office too. In a bad economy, divorce rates are down but separations are still up. So it can be confusing for taxpayers to know how they might file.

7) In your experience so far as an attorney, what mistakes do normal people commonly make to fall into trouble with the IRS?

Hands down, not responding to the IRS. I think the idea of the IRS scares people to death. So they don't open mail or respond to basic requests for information. That's a huge mistake. It often takes something that was really straightforward and easy and turns it into something much, much bigger.

8) What sort of tax reform do you think should be made to the present US tax system?

This is a tough question. Simplifying the Tax Code should be a priority, but taxpayers have to understand that means they will lose a lot of tax preference items that they've come to depend on. I hear, for example, a lot of calls for a flat deduction - but we already have it; it's called ‘the standard deduction.’ Most taxpayers don't want to give up their mortgage deduction and medical expenses deductions in exchange for simplicity.

9) What books on tax would you recommend that everyone have?

"How to" books are tricky because the tax laws change all of the time, so they can quickly become outdated. I tend to recommend media that changes quickly on the "how to" side, though tax policy and tax history books are still great resources. Obviously, I would encourage people to check out my blog (taxgirl.com), which is usually updated every day.

The IRS has a comprehensive web site. And don't underestimate the value of your local newspaper. As much as I love the Internet, I still read print editions of newspapers. We get the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Wall Street Journal and the Sunday New York Times - they all do a pretty good job of hitting the highlights when the tax law changes.