NYS Department of Taxation and Finance

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description Under the supervision of a Tax Technician 2, the incumbent must be able to perform the following essential functions:

• Examine tax returns and associated forms and schedules during the course of a desk audit for accuracy of taxpayer data; compute any additional tax liability, interest or penalties due and any refunds due if applicable.
• Maintain proper case management to accurately complete a sufficient number of cases based on the complexity of the cases assigned. Prepare associated work papers, fact sheets and reports of findings.
• Develop and maintain a good working knowledge and practical application of tax law, regulations, audit guidelines, and Department procedures and policies, including Code of Conduct, Ethics practices, Internal Controls, Security and Confidentiality rules.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, with taxpayers and their representatives; prepare professional correspondence, assessments and refund documents. Telephone contacts should be performed in a clear, tactful and professional manner.
• Communicate with supervisor and follow through on instructions received; inform supervisor of problems and collaborate with supervisor to resolve problems.
• Research court decisions, rulings, publications, and other reference materials to support decisions made in auditing taxpayer returns.
• Learn, maintain and update skills in computer technology; manipulate an alphanumeric keyboard to enter and retrieve data; use and navigate various software and mainframe applications.
• Develop and prepare reports, tax charts and reference materials as required.
• May be required to Advocate in cases at BCMS conferences and Small Claims Hearings. May participate at hearings as a witness for the Department and assist Office of Counsel in resolving disagreed cases.
• Adhere to all Department time and attendance rules and regulations

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The selected candidate must be reachable on the eligible list for this title and location under Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations.

OR

The selected candidate must be eligible for a 70.1 transfer under Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations.

Special Minimum Qualifications for transfer to Tax Technician 1:

6 semester credit hours in accounting, auditing, or taxation

OR

If eligible via 55 b/c please provide a copy of your active letter of eligibility with your response.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title maybe filled via a permanent non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Trainee 1: 60 or more semester credit hours of college-level study, including 6 semester credit hours of accounting, auditing, and/or taxation OR 2 years of full-time accounting, auditing, or tax examination experience as described below.

Trainee 2: In addition to 60 or more semester credit hours of college-level study, including 6 semester credit hours of accounting, auditing, and/or taxation, you must have 1 year of full-time accounting, auditing or tax examination experience as described below OR 3 years of full-time accounting, auditing, or tax examination experience as described below.

Tax Technician 1: In addition to 60 or more semester credit hours of college-level study, including 6 semester credit hours of accounting, auditing, and/or taxation, you must have 2 years of full-time accounting, auditing or tax examination experience as described below OR 4 years of full-time accounting, auditing, or tax examination experience as described below.

Experience must have been gained in any one or combination of the following:

Experience in performing or assisting in audits, financial examinations, or tax consultation and planning. Experience must include review, analysis, or management of accounting systems, conducting financial accounting/auditing activities for an entity, or analysis and/or interpretation of tax law.

Experience in bookkeeping, preparing tax returns, reconciling accounts and data, reviewing accounting and auditing reports, and verifying accuracy of calculations, balances, and supporting documentation.

Experience in a federal, State, or municipal agency performing audits to determine compliance with the taxing jurisdiction's laws, rules, and regulations; the collection of the jurisdiction's taxes, interest, penalties, delinquent tax returns, and other financial obligations; the use of processing systems in providing taxpayer information, assistance, and technical support; or being a member of a taxpayer contact center and involved in the resolution of taxpayer inquiries requiring in-depth knowledge of the tax law.

• Your transcript must provide the course names, the number of semester credit hours earned, the grade, and the name of the accredited college/university attended. Only courses with the word accounting, auditing, or taxation are considered qualifying. Although you may have received credit for courses such as business law, economics, statistics, or finance as part of an accounting curriculum, these courses cannot be counted toward the required 6 semester credit hours.

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments Telecommuting and hours to be discussed during interview.

Please note: These positions may be filled at either our Wade Road office in Latham OR W.A. Harriman State Campus in Albany.

Appointment to each level of the traineeship will depend on which minimum qualifications are met.

The salary listed is a range, starting from the Trainee 1 level and ending at the Journey level, this will depend on what level the candidate is coming in at.

Starting salary for Tax Technician Trainee 1 (equated to SG 11) $45,494

Starting salary for Tax Technician Trainee 2 (equated to SG 13) $50,844

Starting salary for Tax Technician 1 (equated to SG 14) $53,764

New York State is an equal opportunity employer. It’s the policy of the state of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or an arrest or criminal conviction record unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

Any candidate selected for this position will be subject to a review of their tax return submissions by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Employment of a candidate is conditioned upon a finding by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance that the candidate is in compliance with all local, state, and federal tax laws. In accordance with federal government requirements, the employment of any candidate selected for this position is conditioned upon successfully completing a background investigation including a criminal history record check (fingerprint check).

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.