Tax Assistant I - Collections

Harris County•Houston, TX

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Collections Tax Assistant is responsible for accurate processing, balancing, and research of property tax payment transactions. This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to effectively manage payment discrepancies. The role involves working closely with taxpayers, tax office departments, and external institutions, including banks and bill pay systems, to ensure timely and accurate processing of payments. Additionally provides overflow telephone support and ensures that all payment documentation is organized and maintained in compliance with established standards.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent from an accredited U.S. institution.
Minimum of three (3) experience in customer service, banking, collections, or property tax-related role
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to handle inquiries and resolve issues efficiently and professionally.
Strong attention to detail, ensuring the accuracy of payment processing, research, and documentation.
Ability to analyze and resolve payment discrepancies, ensuring that issues are identified and corrected promptly.
Effective time management and ability to prioritize tasks, especially during high-volume periods.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
Ability to manage phone support efficiently, particularly during overflow periods, and provide helpful assistance to callers.

Nice To Haves

Experience with payment processing software or banking systems is preferred.
Knowledge of property tax payment processes and relevant legal or procedural guidelines.
Experience with payment processing, payment research, and customer service.
Familiarity with payment systems, including remote lock-box scanning, bill pay systems, and corrective workstations.

Responsibilities

Prepare and Reconcile Property Tax Payments: Process and manually enter transactions, ensuring that payments are accurately applied to taxpayer accounts and tax years, and reconciling property tax payment transactions daily to maintain accuracy and compliance.
Performed Property Tax Transfers and Cancellations: manually updating payment records to ensure accurate account maintenance and compliance with statutory requirements.
Sort Bank Transactions: Manage the receipt and sorting of all documents from the bank, which include processed/rejected payments and other correspondences for further processing.
Taxpayer Assistance: Provide outstanding customer service to taxpayers and other departments, addressing inquiries and resolving issues related to property tax payments and transactions.
Payment Research: Investigate payment discrepancies, including those submitted through the bank or bill pay systems, to ensure accuracy and proper application to taxpayer account.
Telephone Support Overflow Telephone Relief: Provide assistance for phone coverage during overflow periods for the property tax and voter departments, ensuring that all incoming inquiries are handled efficiently.
Remote Lock-box Scanning: Operate the remote lock-box scanner to process and scan checks, ensuring all payment data is accurately recorded and uploaded into the system.
Maintain Payment Documentation: Manage and maintain records of processed payments and related correspondence in compliance with the record retention standards.
Corrective Workstation Research: Investigate and resolve payment discrepancies flagged by the bank through the Corrective Workstation, ensuring that errors are promptly addressed.
Bill Pay System Research: Review payments submitted via the bill pay system, ensuring accuracy in payment application and resolution of any discrepancies.