Penalty Review Specialist 2

Arizona Department of Administration•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Penalty Review Specialist 2 supports the Penalty Review Unit by analyzing and interpreting Federal and State tax laws and Arizona Revised Statutes to evaluate testimony and written evidence, make findings of fact, and render decisions. The role works within the tax reporting system to conduct complex account reconciliations and account maintenance, adjust tax returns, and abate or correct penalties and interest, among other duties. The position is based in the Taxpayer Services Division in Phoenix, Arizona, and may offer remote work within Arizona, subject to the department’s business needs and ongoing performance expectations. Remote work is a management option, not an employee entitlement, and may be discontinued at the agency’s discretion. The role also provides intermediate-level taxpayer service, researches and interprets tax laws and regulations, and contributes to agency compliance and continuous improvement efforts under the Arizona Management System.

Requirements

At least six months of audit-related experience.
Any combination of education, training, coursework, and relevant work experience that meets the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Basic knowledge of Federal and Arizona tax laws, statutes, and regulations governing filing requirements and the assessment of penalties and interest.
Basic knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS).
Basic understanding of individual income, corporate income, transaction privilege and use, fiduciary, excise, and withholding tax policies and procedures.
Ability to use approved artificial intelligence tools for routine tasks and workflow improvements while following agency data-governance, security, and ethical standards concerning FTI and PII.
Strong verbal, written, and listening communication skills.
Effective organization and time-management skills, including the ability to make measurable progress on multiple priorities.
Proficiency with a PC or laptop in a Windows environment, the Internet, and Google Suite applications such as Gmail, Sheets, Docs, and Drive.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
Proficiency with tax reporting systems.
Ability to pass a comprehensive background and clearance process, including Arizona tax compliance verification, FBI criminal background check with level-one fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Criminal Justice Information System screening.
Ability to interpret and apply Federal and State tax laws to legal case reviews.
Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively as part of a team.
Ability to handle confidential information appropriately when sharing it with internal and external individuals.
Willingness and ability to embody ADOR’s core values: Do the Right Thing, Commit to Excellence, and Care About One Another.
Final candidate must complete employment verification and reference checks, state and federal criminal background checks including fingerprinting, and an Arizona tax filing records check. An ASEDRA Authorized Driver Identification Check applies if relevant to the position’s driving duties.
Internal applicants must meet the stated eligibility conditions: be an active, regular, full-time or part-time ADOR team member in their current position for at least six months and maintain satisfactory performance as defined in the posting.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field.
Relevant degree from an accredited college or university, training, coursework, or work experience related to the assignment.

Responsibilities

Process tax administration actions in the tax reporting system, including abating or correcting penalties and interest, reconciling and maintaining accounts, releasing refunds, adjusting tax returns, and technically reviewing audits.
Review and revise tax reporting and information forms and instructions required by law.
Research and interpret Federal and State tax laws and Arizona Revised Statutes for assigned tax cases, prepare reports, and assist with penalty determinations.
Review questions and problems involving taxes, inconsistencies in reported information, and interpretation of tax laws, statutes, and regulations.
Confer with agency officials, staff members, and representatives of other agencies to convey or obtain information needed for determinations and decisions.
Compare data from multiple sources to ensure compliance with technical specifications, rules, and other technical documents.
Serve as a point of contact for taxpayer inquiries and cases, providing intermediate-level customer care and explaining applicable administrative statutes, rules, and regulations.
Escalate complex taxpayer inquiries and cases to senior team members.
Stay current on taxation laws, regulations, policies, and practices through research, consultation, professional engagement, and continuing education.
Attend work-unit or district meetings and huddles, and cascade or track information when indicated.
Complete required training, participate in assigned work teams, and prepare for and participate in supervisor coaching sessions.
Apply lean principles and Arizona Management System practices to improve work processes and deliverables, recommend process improvements, and participate in continuous improvement efforts.
Appear in and testify in a court of law when required.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans.
Ten paid holidays per year.
Vacation accrual of 4.00 hours biweekly for the first three years.
Sick time accrual of 3.70 hours biweekly.
Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child, through a pilot program.
Deferred compensation plan.
Wellness plans.
Tuition reimbursement.
Infant at Work Program.
Rideshare and public transit subsidy.
Career advancement and employee development opportunities.
Flexible schedules to support work/life balance.
Option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, subject to management approval and agency discretion.
Arizona State Retirement System employer-matched contributions, with enrollment eligibility effective after 27 weeks of State employment.