Tax Relief Specialist

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Performs activities related to the operation of the County's Property Tax Relief and Deferral programs, ensuring they are efficient, accurate, and compliant. Including providing assistance to the public by answering phone calls and researching taxpayer issues, processing board letters, and issuing applicant refunds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two (2) years of general clerical and customer service experience in a professional office environment that includes handling customer problems and/or complaints, operating a personal computer, maintaining files, reviewing applications, and providing general information, OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

Understanding of personal income tax returns and may be required to complete an Income Tax Course, obtaining a Professional Certification from H&R Block within 6 months of hire. 

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in administering the statutory tax relief programs for disabled veterans, the blind, low-income elderly homeowners, and hardship cases.
• Interviews potential tax relief applicants and reviews applications for compliance with policies, standards, and statutes.
• Review and calculate tax documents and financial documents to determine income and assets for eligibility. This includes Federal and State income tax returns, year-end financial forms and schedules, investment statements, financial aid, and all other forms of financial resources.
• Review Trust, Wills, and Power of Attorney documents for ownership eligibility.
• Monitors taxpayers in the deferral program for timely payments and compliance with the deferral agreement.
• Processes board letters and applicant refunds.
• Resolves tax relief employee questions and concerns.
• Accepts and processes payments and issues receipts.
• Provides community outreach to senior centers, local expos, and allied agencies about available programs for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
• Provide community presentations regarding all aspects of tax Relief available programs for seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of: 

• Basic mathematics
• Time and work organization/management techniques
• Federal tax returns and IRS codes
• State tax legislation, County policies, and procedures

Skills and Abilities to:

• Collect, analyze, and calculate Tax documents and financial resource documents
• Interview individuals to gain an understanding of their financial situation and request documentation
• Respond to requests and inquiries from employees and the public courteously and tactfully, even in stressful situations
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare a variety of reports
• Analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and County laws, codes, and regulations
• Effectively use modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment and software
• Complete all tasks with accuracy and efficiency
• Organize, prioritize, schedule, and perform tasks simultaneously and efficiently
• Perform basic data entry

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting. May travel to County locations throughout the county to give presentations (community outreach events, EXPOs, and Senior Centers).