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Lyn OBrien-McDevitt files taxes at Friendly Tax Advisors located at 5620 Ridge Avenue. Photo Credit | Studio Luminoso

You could say Lyn OBrien-McDevitt, owner of Friendly Tax Advisors, 5620 Ridge Avenue, is married to her business. “I was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved here in 2007,” she said. “The following year, I began working for my father-in-law Bill Mullen, who started Friendly Tax Advisors thirty years ago in Roxborough.”

As an Enrolled Agent representing clients before the IRS and as an active member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, Lyn strives to provide expert and personalized tax preparation services to her clients.

Mullen passed away in 2015 and Lyn has retained much of his clientele. Plus, she has opened a satellite office in Collegeville, PA. In 2018, Kaitlyn Miller-Cox joined Friendly Tax Advisors and she and Lyn divide their time between both offices. Kaitlyn joined the team as Office Manager, after completing her degree in Business Administration at DeSales University.

In 2020, Kaitlyn also became an Enrolled Agent and an active member of the National Association of Tax Professionals. In addition to her expertise in taxes, Kaitlyn has a master’s degree in choreography from Temple University and is an adjunct professor teaching jazz and tap dance. Talk about keeping on your toes!

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Office manager, Kaitlyn Miller-Cox (left) and owner, Lyn Obrein-McDevitt (right) partner together at two offices in Roxborough and Collegeville. Photo Credit | Studio Luminoso

Lyn credits the success of her business to Roxborough itself. “There’s a real mix here of prosperity and retirees on fixed income. These days, more people have their own businesses, including rental properties as additional income,” she said. “Chain tax services come and go. We’ve been here for so long. People know us and they know about my kids, Liam and Kean. It’s the personal touch. They know they can call us anytime in the year. Even when I’m on vacation, if its urgent, I’ll get back to them. People do not get this level of service everywhere.”

“Chain tax services come and go. We’ve been here for so long. People know us and they know about my kids, Liam and Kean. It’s the personal touch. They know they can call us anytime in the year. Even when I’m on vacation, if its urgent, I’ll get back to them. People do not get this level of service everywhere.”

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Kaitlyn Miller-Cox, office manager is an enrolled agent and active member of National Association of Tax Professionals. Photo credit | Studio Luminoso

As anyone who has ever tried to their own taxes knows, every year brings new complications. “We just saw the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act and a lot of new tax reductions for energy efficiency improvements for the home.  Also, Student Loan Debt Forgiveness will impact a lot of people,” said Lyn. “Traditionally, if you are forgiven a debt you have to pay taxes on it. The Fed already said they won’t tax it, but states are exploring this issue.”

“We just saw the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act and a lot of new tax reductions for energy efficiency improvements for the home.  Also, Student Loan Debt Forgiveness will impact a lot of people. Traditionally, if you are forgiven a debt you have to pay taxes on it. The Fed already said they won’t tax it, but states are exploring this issue.”

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Lyn OBrien-McDevitt takes continuing education courses to keep on top of tax code changes. Photo Credit | Studio Luminoso

How does Lyn keep up with all the changes in the tax code? “Every year, I take continuing education courses,” she said. Lyn has developed a love of the U.S. Tax Code, even if her Irish accent gets stronger when she’s angry at her kids. In her down time, the busy mom, enjoys spending time with her husband, Kevin McDevitt, a graphic designer and her family, traveling back to Ireland and running marathons, including the Dublin City Marathon in 2018.

Looking for help with your taxes? Visit FTAphiladelphia.com or call (215) 482-6764

Friendly Tax Advisors

Website:

http://www.ftaphiladelphia.com/

Phone number:

215- 482-6764

Address:

5620 Ridge Avenue 

Philadelphia, PA 19128

Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm