TAXPAYER ASST REP

State of careers Rhode Island

4d • $52,062 - $57,606

About The Position

The Taxpayer Assistance Representative provides assistance and authoritative information about Rhode Island state tax laws to taxpayers and their representatives by telephone, correspondence, or in person. The role interviews taxpayers to identify tax problems and advises them on appropriate solutions. Work is performed under general supervision, with assignments and some instruction from a superior; completed work is reviewed for results and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures. The position has no supervisory responsibilities.

The representative provides technical assistance on Rhode Island personal income tax matters, business corporation taxes, sales and use tax, and other state taxes. The representative may prepare returns or help taxpayers prepare current, delinquent, or amended returns and supporting materials; review returns, schedules, and account transcripts; explain claims and extensions; and help taxpayers respond to information requests from tax officials. When taxpayer service workload permits, the representative may also perform related collections or audit duties.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of, and ability to interpret and rapidly recall, state tax laws, regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to meet and deal with taxpayers and their representatives, including in stressful situations involving adverse Division actions.
• Ability and judgment to interpret tax laws, regulations, and procedures consistently and equitably for all taxpayers.
• Ability to prepare taxpayers’ returns.
• Familiarity with the basic operation of data retrieval systems related to computer processing and ability to interpret retrieved data.
• Education gained through graduation from a college of recognized standing, and experience gained through employment in a governmental agency or private-sector work involving the public or preparation and filing of tax returns or reports for individuals, partnerships, or corporations; or a substantially equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance and authoritative information about state tax laws to taxpayers and their representatives by telephone, correspondence, or in person.
• Interview taxpayers and their representatives to determine the nature of tax problems and advise on possible solutions.
• Provide technical assistance on Rhode Island personal income tax matters, including residency, filing requirements, estimated tax, withholding, property tax relief credits, and other credits.
• Provide technical assistance on Rhode Island business corporation taxes, including estimated filing requirements and due dates, as well as sales and use tax and other state taxes.
• Prepare or help taxpayers prepare current, delinquent, or amended returns and supporting forms, statements, schedules, affidavits, and explanations.
• Analyze copies of returns, schedules, and account transcripts to assist taxpayers.
• Advise taxpayers about their rights to file claims and assist them in preparing claims.
• Explain extension-of-time filing requirements and help taxpayers prepare applications for extensions.
• Assist taxpayers in responding to tax officials’ requests for information or clarification, including requests to perfect unprocessible returns.
• When taxpayer service workload permits, perform related collections or audit duties.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• State employee benefits are available; details are provided through the Office of Employee Benefits website.
• Employees hired after September 30, 2014 are required to participate in direct deposit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time