Our Spotlight series highlights the careers and lives of tax professionals around the world. This week’s Spotlight is on Julie Wann, a member of Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel’s corporate, tax, and estates and trusts groups in San Jose, Calif.
Wann advises clients in estate and tax planning, wealth transfer, and estate and trust administration. She represents limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, and nonprofits, on entity formation, governance, and operational matters. She is also a certified public accountant in inactive status.
When she’s not working, you might find Wann watching animated films with her children, listening to audiobook novels, or dreaming about being an architect.
What’s your official title and what does it mean? I’m a shareholder, and it means having greater responsibility and commitment to both my clients and colleagues. It is another level of personal investment to the firm, striving not only to serve my clients to the best of my abilities but also to lead and mentor those around me.
Free time: book, audiobook, or podcast? Audiobook. I prefer fiction, for the temporary escape from reality.
Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest? California real property tax. California has various propositions governing real property taxes, which present planning opportunities to avoid property tax reassessment when transferring title.
What’s the last movie or show that you watched and loved (DVD, Netflix, or in the theater)? I took my children to see “Minions: The Rise of Gru.” I enjoy animations that cater to both adults and children so everyone in my family can enjoy a movie together.
What college did you attend and what did you study? Prior to obtaining my J.D.-MBA degree at Santa Clara University, I attended University of California, Berkeley. (Go Bears!) I majored in business administration with emphasis in accounting and finance, and minored in Asian American studies.
Go-to pick-me-up: Coffee or tea? Tea with boba—it’s a drink and snack in one!
What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you? One mentor emphasized the importance of not overlooking the basic issues. When working on a complex transaction, we tend to focus on tackling and resolving the complicated issues, but we can’t forget the simple, foundational issues.
If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be? I’d like to be an architect and create breathtaking and inspiring buildings.
If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax world—an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever—what would it be? Allow surviving spouses to claim the federal generation-skipping transfer tax exemption that was not used by a deceased spouse. Making GST tax exemptions portable between spouses would allow more planning opportunities.
Favorite food, snack, or candy during tax season or other busy time? If I had to choose just one, it’s chocolate. It’s also a pick-me-up!
What tax news or move made the most impact on your practice or clients this past year? The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed a wide range of tax laws for both individuals and businesses. My firm is based in Silicon Valley, the hub of innovation and new technology. The law estimates $216 billion worth of tax credits in the clean energy, transport, and manufacturing industries, so I’m sure we’ll be working with more Silicon Valley start-ups.
If you received a big tax refund check right now, what would you do with it? I’m in the middle of remodeling my house, so the money would definitely be used to pay my contractor!
You can find out more about Wann on Linkedin.
You can learn more about Wann’s law firm, Hoge Fenton, on its website.
If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured, send your suggestion to rbaker@bloombergindustry.com with the subject: Spotlight. Please include the following information: tax professional’s name, title, email address, and geographic area (city/state/country).
To contact the reporter on this story:
To contact the editor responsible for this story: