Meet Josie Lowman, a state tax specialist with more than 30 years of experience, particularly in the insurance industry. Josie’s journey into the tax world was anything but conventional, starting with a degree in anthropology and evolving into a dynamic career in state taxation. In this Q&A, Josie shares her background, her passion for the field, and the proudest moments in her professional life.
Q: Tell us about your background and how you got started in the tax industry.
A: I graduated with a degree in anthropology, which is not your typical route into tax! When I finished school, the job market was tough. A friend of mine who had a summer job at a law firm mentioned they were hiring, so I joined as a legal assistant. That experience opened my eyes to the possibility of becoming a lawyer. I went to law school, where I initially planned to be a litigator. However, I ended up taking corporate law classes alongside friends who were heading into corporate law, and that's when I discovered a love for tax law. I especially enjoyed the tax courses, which eventually led me to pursue an LL.M. in taxation.
After law school, I briefly worked at a personal injury firm but soon transitioned into public accounting. I joined PwC in Atlanta and later worked in New York, focusing on state tax, particularly for insurance companies. Over time, I became deeply immersed in this niche and even spent 12 years at AIG, eventually leading their global indirect tax department. After AIG, I returned to PwC and rebuilt their state insurance practice from scratch. Over my career, I’ve specialized in state taxation, particularly for the insurance industry, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Fun fact: My first boss used to introduce me as his “weird hire” because of my anthropology background!
Q: What areas of tax do you specialize in, and what led you to focus on these areas?
A: I specialize in state taxes for insurance companies, covering state income tax, premium tax, property tax, sales and use tax, and even unclaimed property. My primary focus is on premium tax and state income tax, but I’ve dealt with various tax-related issues for insurance companies, agencies, surplus lines companies, and third-party administrators. I’ve been working in this space for almost 30 years, and it was somewhat by accident! Early in my career, they needed someone to handle insurance tax, and I took on the challenge. I’ve been working in this area ever since, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about working in the tax industry?
A: For me, tax is like a giant puzzle. Federal tax might have one code section, but with state and local tax, I have 51 jurisdictions to manage, each with different rules and tax types. It keeps things exciting, and I’m never bored. I thrive on the complexity and love the challenge of helping companies pay the right amount of tax—but no more than necessary!
Q: What is the proudest moment of your career?
A: One of my proudest moments has been building and training teams. Watching my team members grow, develop their skills, and progress in their careers—from consultant to senior consultant to manager and beyond—has been incredibly fulfilling. Seeing them work together and succeed is a source of pride, and nothing compares to watching someone I mentored make partner.
