Deborah Ann Fox, CPA

06/04/2026

Amen to this forever and a day.

06/01/2026

I had a fun surprise today when I went to see my dads attorney. She was in the same building and floor as the UCF Business Incubation Program and Florida SBDC at USF.
Before helping Dad/Angie in FL, I used to teach tax at UTSA Small Business Development Center for new small biz owners. Serendipitous to be at SBDC FL facility. Fate can be fun.

06/01/2026

"Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." - Mark Twain

05/25/2026

Geography matters in life and after death. Read taxgirlirl

"With the federal estate But state estate , inheritance taxes, and probate costs can still catch heirs off guard, especially in states with lower thresholds, unusual rules, or fees that function like a hidden levy."

Plus: Not reporting foreign gifts can cost you, U.S. Tax Court, the new car loan interest deduction, and Shakira’s latest residency tax win in Spain.

05/24/2026

“The husband wasn’t trying to write the wife out of this. She was aligned with this,” said Samantha Prince, a professor at Penn State Dickinson Law who writes about how retirement plan laws can harm workers. “It’s just maddening.”

If the family loses, half of the money would be distributed to Val’s estate and half to Ed’s trust, according to court records. The grandchildren would still get it but they would lose valuable tax benefits.

Ed Lyon, a pioneering urologist at the University of Chicago, wanted his retirement account to go to his 36 grandchildren. Seven years after his death, his heirs are still fighting to make that happen.

The family’s appeals to both the university and the account’s record-keeper, TIAA, were rebuffed. They were told they hadn’t provided the proper paperwork, leaving Lyon’s funds, worth $1.2 million at his death, in a state of limbo.

The case turns on a narrow interpretation of the law, but showcases a big problem in the world of estate planning.

People often fail to realize what’s required to update the beneficiaries for their accounts. What seems like a mundane to-do item while the account holder is alive later becomes a major headache for would-be heirs.

Read more: 🔗 https://on.wsj.com/42UdaEG

05/23/2026

"Life Does Not Happen To You, It Happens For you."
"Your trials and your blessings are the same thing"
“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to like it… it’s just easier if you do.” — Byron Katie

Your trials and your blessings are the same thing

05/21/2026

" is a Equation. In order to gain the most, you have to know how to convert the negatives into the positive." I shared this 8/15/2016 on FB. When I registered for 4/6/2026, I did not complete a profile. Will claim this now as my . It Fits.

05/18/2026

I have a lot of reasons why I like this taxgirl edition of Breaks. Here is one: I learned a new word: "Derision is the act of treating someone or something with contempt, scornful mockery, or ridicule. It typically involves making fun of someone to discredit them or make them appear worthless." Two, three, and four could be Golf, Social Security, and suspending the Federal Gas Tax. If none of those appeal to you, what about Baby Names?

Plus: Baby names, Social Security, gas prices, card skimmer fraud, safe harbors, tax trivia and more.

05/18/2026

"Your passing—or even temporary incapacity—can leave your loved ones trying to piece together the details of your life.
A well-organized death box turns that uncertainty into clarity.
It reduces stress, prevents delays, and provides guidance during one of the most difficult times a family can face."

What is a death box? Instead of a horror film, it is an important tool for anyone who is working on their estate. Read to learn more.

05/18/2026

Financial POAs can be broad, but they are not recognized in all situations. If you want to authorize your agent to work with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and some financial institutions, you may have to complete additional documentation.

You may have signed a financial power of attorney (POA) that allows one or more people to act on your behalf if and when you become unable to act for yourself. However, a financial POA is not valid in certain situations. Knowing the limitations of a financial power of attorney is an often-overlooked...