Excise Tax Examiner 3 - Estate Tax

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

About The Position

The Department of Revenue's Audit Division is excited to announce an opportunity for an Excise Tax Examiner 3 positions in the Estate Tax unit. The Estate Tax team is a small unit of tax professionals who are supportive of one another. We are passionate about continuous improvement, we value the open exchange of ideas and information, and we continually seek ways to enhance usability and improve customer service. All receipts collected through Washington's Estate Tax program are deposited in the Education Legacy Trust Account to support the state's common schools and expand student access to higher education. The hiring manager may start screening applicants as early as June 9, 2026, and make a hiring decision at any time after. It will be to your advantage to submit materials as soon as possible. Revenue is a dynamic learning organization where you will experience a remarkable work-life balance, with amazing leadership and talented co-workers ready and focused to achieve the agency's goals. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This unique culture of respect promotes a professional family of cohesive groups maximizing potential through opportunity. We offer a generous benefits package that includes defined benefit retirement plans; health, dental and vision coverage, deferred compensation plans, and as a public service employee, you may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness. Visit these links to watch our recruitment video to find out more about our agency and see what our employees say about why Revenue is a great place to work. We invite you to review the opportunity details below and forward this message to others you feel may be qualified.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to perform complex financial examinations and asset valuation analysis, gained through progressive experience reviewing financial statements, tax returns, appraisals, and other estate-related documentation.
Proven ability to research, interpret, and apply the Internal Revenue Code and Washington tax laws, supported by experience resolving complex taxability questions and analyzing court determinations or legal documents.
Progressive experience preparing clear, concise, and technically accurate written communications such as audit findings, adjustment explanations, formal responses, and taxpayer correspondence, using appropriate grammar, structure, and formatting.
Demonstrated skill in analyzing trusts, wills, probate documents, agreements, corporate structures, contracts, and similar records to determine correct reporting and tax implications.
Demonstrated ability to provide high-level technical consultation to internal and external stakeholders, including explaining complex tax issues in lay terms and participating in conferences with taxpayer representatives or attorneys.
Proven ability to independently make sound decisions using judgment and analytical reasoning, especially in situations that involve case-by-case determinations, incomplete data, or competing interpretations of law or policy.
Demonstrated ability to identify system, process, or internal control weaknesses and communicate findings to management, supported by experience using Lean or similar process-improvement principles.
Progressive experience organizing and managing multiple assignments simultaneously in an environment with changing work priorities, strict deadlines, and extended periods of computer-based work.
Proven ability to develop and deliver training or educational materials for internal staff or external stakeholders, based on experience providing industry-specific education or supporting program outreach efforts
Demonstrated experience maintaining professionalism and effective interpersonal communication when navigating sensitive, complex, or potentially adversarial situations with taxpayers, representatives, or other customers.
The ability to take action to learn and grow: This equity competency identifies people who are curious about themselves and others, who take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses, and who use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others: This equity competency identifies people who are flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve.
Uses an equity & inclusive approach: Actively seeks to understand and appreciate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of colleagues, customers, and communities. Encourages an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Uses an equity lens that applies an objective perspective to daily work by considering impacts on the people we serve, particularly marginalized groups by actively identifying and removing inequitable barriers.

Responsibilities

Performing and resolving complex financial examinations of Washington estate tax returns (including addendums and applicable supporting documentation)
Providing training, education and instruction to personal representatives, attorneys, and estate planning professionals
Creating or updating program procedures
Performing initial collections activities
Review federal estate tax returns, income tax returns, financial statements, real estate appraisals, business appraisals, securities valuations, bank statements, life insurance statements, federal gift tax returns, certified appraisals for tangible personal property, actuarial calculations, expense statements, mortgage statements, federal income tax returns, foreign asset statements, and other state’s estate tax returns to ensure accurate reporting.
Interpret trusts, wills, articles of incorporation, court determinations, disclaimers, probate documentation, contracts, real estate deeds, and Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) agreements to understand how an estate should be administered and taxable.
Conduct research to ensure all assets were properly reported on the return.
Utilize knowledge about asset valuations to ensure assets are valued correctly on the estate tax return.
Conduct research on complex issues requiring in-depth knowledge of Chapter 11 of the Internal Revenue Code, Washington estate tax laws, rules and policies, and court decisions.
Monitor critical tax reporting systems to ensure account integrity and data accuracy.
Prepare letters and correspondence to taxpayers or representatives.
Develop and/or provide training and industry specific education to the Division and external customers to ensure correct and consistent reporting.
Represent the division or section in agency or divisional committees, special projects, system enhancement initiatives or trainings.
Perform collection activities.