[[{"fid":"42547","view_mode":"fs_width_0212px","fields":{"format":"fs_width_0212px","field_fs_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Linda Wang, Timber Tax Expert for the Forest Service, visiting the Grand Canyon","field_fs_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Linda Wang: Timber Tax Expert","field_fs_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_fs_image_copyright_notice[und][0][value]":"","field_fs_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Linda Wang","field_fs_internal_notes[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"fs_width_0212px","field_fs_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Linda Wang, Timber Tax Expert for the Forest Service, visiting the Grand Canyon","field_fs_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Linda Wang: Timber Tax Expert","field_fs_image_caption[und][0][value]":"","field_fs_image_copyright_notice[und][0][value]":"","field_fs_image_credit[und][0][value]":"Linda Wang","field_fs_internal_notes[und][0][value]":""}},"attributes":{"alt":"Linda Wang, Timber Tax Expert for the Forest Service, visiting the Grand Canyon","title":"Linda Wang: Timber Tax Expert","height":"578","width":"424","style":"width: 424px; height: 578px; float: left;","class":"media-element file-fs-width-0212px","data-delta":"1"}}]]There are more than 10 million private forest landowners in the country, and many have consistently rated tax implications as one of their top concerns. That’s where Linda Wang can help. As the U.S. Forest Service’s only tax expert, she works in the agency’s State and Private Forestry area helping forest landowners understand the complexity of federal tax code as it applies to privately-owned lands.

Linda Wang developed several national timber tax publications that are regarded as highly trusted resources. She also manages the Forest Service’s Timber Tax website, one of agency’s the top destinations for online visitors. In addition, she helped guide national policy by informing timber tax issues with the Congressional Committee.

But her favorite part of the job is helping people with their tax questions. By delivering seminars in packed auditorium across the country, she helps forest landowners better understand the timber tax implications for their property. She recalled an encounter that happened several years ago.

“One day when I was getting ready to host a tax workshop, an older man who had arrived early helped me with my computer bag. He said, ‘Linda, the Forest Service is one of those rare agencies that still directly serves people.’ I was very moved by the compliment,” she said.  

Linda Wang has a doctorate in forest economics from University of Washington at Seattle. She first learned about the Forest Service by reading its economic studies and was intrigued. She joined the agency in 2006 after working at Texas Forest Service for eight years.

“I’d like the public to perceive the Forest Service as the premiere leader in protecting land and serving people,” she said. “I believe it is important to put a priority on connecting with people and striving to deliver outstanding service.”