Tax Examiner - Compliance Division, Collections Unit

at State of Maine, Bureau of Human Resources in Augusta, Maine, United States

Job Description

Tax Examiner – Compliance Division, Collections Unit

Tax Examiner – Compliance Division, Collections Unit

Repost

Maine Revenue Services

LOCATION:Augusta, Maine

CODE: 0511 PAY GRADE: 18 – Salary: $27.48 hourly, which includes a 25% stipend

OPEN FOR RECRUITMENT:August 20, 2021

CLOSES:September 2, 2021

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position is located within the Compliance Division, Collections Unit at 51 Commerce Drive, Augusta Maine. This is administrative work involving the examination, review, assessment, collection and procurement of delinquent returns for all taxes administered by Maine Revenue Services while operating within the boundaries of Title 36 and office policy. Responsibilities include responding to taxpayer questions or concerns, actively working a caseload and selecting and implementing correct collections procedures to bring accounts into compliance, contacting and/or meeting with taxpayers and/or authorized representatives to discuss and explain various tax issues and repayment methods, preparing cases for enforced collection action when collection efforts are unsuccessful, working cooperatively with division personnel, requesting and attaining training to build and maintain skills necessary to perform the above tasks. Work is performed under limited supervision and requires the highest degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

Applicants must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. This position interacts with a wide variety of people, at all different levels tactfully, knowledgeably and professionally. One must have the ability to gather information from a variety of sources, thoroughly review and analyze such information, and make decisions regarding the correct course of action.

A successful applicant will communicate and write clearly and effectively; have knowledge of computers and computer programs; have the ability to comprehend federal and state tax law; possess excellent math skills and knowledge of basic accounting principles; and have the ability to deal effectively with taxpayers and their representatives in confrontational situations.

TYPICAL DUTIES

+ Maintain familiarity with tax laws pertaining to collection of taxes and/or returns and familiarity of collection tools available to bring accounts into compliance. This knowledge is to be used to work assigned caseload while maintaining the State’s best interest.

+ Recall and actively work each case in assigned inventory. Review cases and proceed with the next logical collection action. Creates cases for new debts or to initiate assessment process.

+ Verifies assessments and demands are delivered and enforceable.

+ Establishes ability to pay and collects taxes through telephone contact or enforced collection measures; negotiates payment terms.

+ Discusses and explains various tax issues, forms, laws, and policies with taxpayers and their representatives.

+ Processes incoming offer in compromise requests, to include making a recommendation and sending appropriate written responses to taxpayers.

+ Processes incoming reconsideration requests.

+ Compiles revenue tracker spreadsheet for monthly submittal to management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

+ Knowledge of State tax laws, rules, and regulations.

+ Knowledge of accounting procedures and systems.

+ Knowledge of state and federal tax forms

+ Knowledge of computerized taxation system.

+ Knowledge of tax collection procedures.

+ Ability to negotiate tax payment plans.

+ Ability to explain tax laws, rules, procedures, and forms.

+ Ability to deal effectively with taxpayers.

+ Ability to present and defend technical and administrative decisions.

+ Ability to write clear, concise reports.

+ Ability to examine tax returns/forms and detect irregularities and errors.

+ Ability apply business mathematics in defining and solving problems associated with tax

enforcement and compliance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:(Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).

A Bachelors 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.

Please note: All job candidates applying for Maine Revenue Services’ positions will be subject to a tax clearance check. In order to be selected for a position, all returns must be filed and tax liabilities must be paid in full. The results of the tax clearance check will be documented as part of the selection process.

For all candidates not currently employed at Maine Revenue Services: State law requires that applicants seeking initial employment with Maine Revenue Services undergo a fingerprint-based state and criminal history record check.

BENEFITS:

The bi-weekly dollar values of some State-paid benefits for full-time employees include: $14.60 for dental insurance; 13.16% of employee’s pay towards retirement; and, depending on the employee’s annual pay, at least 85% ($412.23) of health insurance premiums (more information is available here). Participation in theHealth Premium Credit Programcan decrease the employee’s cost of health insurance by 5%.

Maine State Government is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.