Tax Examiner I

Department of Administrative and Financial Services•Augusta, GA

About The Position

Tax Examiner I positions involve the examination, assessment, and collection of various state taxes. Responsibilities also include responding to taxpayer questions or concerns via telephone. The Tax Examiner I is a trainee position which, upon successful completion and demonstration of certain specified competencies after 12 months, results in promotion to Tax Examiner II, and upon successful completion and demonstration of certain specified competencies after 12 months as a Tax Examiner II, results in advancement to Tax Examiner III. This Tax Examiner I position will work with Individual Income Tax. Work is performed under general supervision.

Requirements

Knowledge of state tax laws, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of state and federal tax forms.
Knowledge of accounting procedures and systems.
Knowledge of computerized taxation systems.
Knowledge of confidentiality requirements of tax-related information.
Knowledge of tax collection procedures.
Ability to explain tax laws, rules, procedures, and forms.
Ability to examine tax returns/forms and detect irregularities and errors.
Ability to negotiate basic tax payment plans.
Ability to deal effectively with taxpayers.
Ability to present and defend technical and administrative decisions.
Ability to use applicable computer programs.
Ability to write clear, concise reports.
Ability to apply business mathematics in defining and solving problems associated with tax enforcement and compliance.
Ability to establish facts, draw operational conclusions, and solve practical problems.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution -OR- four (4) years of equivalent post-secondary education, training, and/or professional level experience in accounting, tax collection, finance, or directly related computer science that demonstrates the ability to use independent judgment, initiative, and discretion to make decisions on complex matters.

Responsibilities

Reviews tax returns, applications, and records for completeness and accuracy.
Calculates amount of income tax, and/or other taxes due to make assessments.
Explains state tax laws, rules, and regulations to the public and professionals in order to be used in determining tax liabilities and filing requirements.
Contacts taxpayers in writing or by telephone for a variety of reasons including to clarify assessments imposed on them.
Discusses and explains various tax forms, laws, and policies with taxpayers and their representatives.
Interprets and applies federal and state tax codes for personal, business, and corporate taxes.
Reviews information from various sources to identify potential non-filers.
Establishes ability to pay, negotiates basic payment plans, and collects taxes through telephone contact or enforced collection measures.

Benefits

Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State .
Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements .
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.11 % of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System ( MainePERS ), on behalf of the employee .
Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office .
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave . Additional , unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act .
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness .