Tax Appellate Officer

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is to instill public confidence in the integrity and fairness of tax collection; achieve the highest level of voluntary taxpayer compliance; continuously improve agency performance; contribute to the fiscal and economic well-being of the state; and provide a positive and professional workplace. We strive to be leaner, flatter, smarter and more focused by taxpayer services than ever before. We strive every day to be efficient, effective, honest, transparent and fair. We try to be sure the voice of taxpayers is heard and that we understand the impact of our actions on their lives and businesses.

DRS is seeking to promote/reclassify one DRS employee to a Tax Appellate Officer in the Appellate Unit of the Department’s Legal Services Division. The Appellate Unit is the final administrative adjudicator of all tax controversies between taxpayers and the department. This Tax Appellate Officer position will be accountable for resolving such controversies.

This internal promotional/reclassification opportunity is available to current, permanent employees only, who meet all of the Minimum Qualifications outlined below, and is contingent on final approval by DAS and OPM. Work experiences within current and past positions within the agency may be considered in the qualification process.                                                                                                       

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency’s Human Resources office: Marybeth Bonsignore, Marybeth.Bonsignore@po.state.ct.us, (860) 297-5700.

This position is competitive.

Please be advised this is a promotional/reclassification opportunity for employees in the recruiting agency.  The selected employee will be promoted or reclassified in his or her position.  This is NOT A VACANCY and, therefore, merit system and reemployment rules do not apply.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Revenue Services, who has permanent state status*, and meets the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

In the Department of Revenue Services, Appellate Division, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the resolution of formal appeals to taxpayer assessments.

Performs analysis of protested tax liability cases for proper application of accounting principles and auditing methods; reviews case files including tax statements, audit reports, and supporting documentation relative to tax liability in order to determine the relative importance of the facts and the value of the evidence supporting opposing views; reconciles or oversees the reconciliation of differences in legal interpretations of tax law applied in the audit and the tax return and reconstructs the tax liability using the appropriate accounting methods; conducts or assigns legal research in order to apply correct interpretation of tax law to the facts of a case; determines if there are grounds for a hearing; conducts or participates in informal conferences and formal hearings with taxpayers and/or their representatives as an impartial party in order to resolve issues of tax law and accounting principles; prepares recommendations of decisions summarizing cases on the basis of facts presented or developed and applicable laws and regulations in light of recent court decisions; recommends final determinations of tax assessment; prepares paperwork necessary for case completion; on litigated tax liability cases, may work with the Attorney General's Office as a technical assistant or witness; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and concepts of accounting and auditing; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply Connecticut tax statutes including appeal procedures as well as the Federal Internal Revenue Code; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable ability to analyze and evaluate financial statements and tax reports; ability to conduct hearings; ability to make recommendations of final determination of tax assessment based on hearing data; ability to conduct legal research; ability to utilize computer software.

Eight (8) years of experience in accounting or auditing.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved the interpretation and application of tax law and fiscal principles at or above the full working level of Revenue Examiner 2.

1. College training in accounting or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in Accounting or Taxation may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. Certification in either of the following may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor.

• Experience in conducting complex audits and the preparation of related work papers;

• Exemplary oral and written communication skills;

• Ability to explain audit findings to interested parties clearly and concisely;

• Effective interpersonal skills , including conflict resolution.  

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.