Tax Attorney

Pisgah Legal Services•Asheville, NC

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Cashiers, Hendersonville, Highlands, Marshall, Morganton, Newland, and Rutherfordton. With over 120 dedicated staff, including more than 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to nearly 28,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law. Pisgah Legal Services seeks a full-time Tax Attorney with a commitment to, and passion for, the rights of low-income taxpayers. The Tax Attorney will work with other tax and benefits program staff to increase the capacity of PLS to low-income taxpayers through tax controversy representation and advice on tax disputes with the IRS and North Carolina Department of Revenue. The LITC is supported by a grant from the Internal Revenue Service.

Requirements

N.C. licensed attorney
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income people and communities.
Demonstrated skills at socio-economicand cultural sensitivity and ability to assist upset or ill people.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams and independently.
Ability to work with low-income clients and communities within a multi-ethnic/multi-cultural environment.
Ability to effectively collaborate with coworkers and clients face to face and in meeting settings.
Possess valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Background in tax preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Commitment to PLS’ mission, values and vision.
Represent low-income and ESL taxpayers before the IRS and/or NCDOR or in US Tax Court regarding tax controversies. For example, controversies may relate to examinations, audit reconsiderations, innocent- and injured- spouse issues, identity theft, return preparer misconduct, offers-in-compromise, installment payment plans, right to claim dependents and dependent-related credits, income verification, eligibility for credits, properly claimed deductions, and many more tax-related issues.
Conduct client interviews with trauma-informed approach; advise and represent clients in Small Claims, District, Superior courts, and administrative proceedings as appropriate. (This may include representation, preparation for self-representation, obtaining continuances for assessment, and referring cases to other attorneys.)
Document all work and communications in Legal Server case management software.
Organize and conduct outreach and educational presentations.
Develop and maintain community relationships including other non-profit agencies, government officials, government employees, community leaders and others.
Travel within our service area and also to meetings or conferences in other parts of NC.
Adhere to program priorities and casehandling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
Keep abreast of developments in the law and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys and the public.
Work with volunteers, including volunteer attorneys, on a regular basis.
Assist in fundraising and outreach in coordination with PLS Development Team.