Job Information
City of New York Taxpayer Advocate Research Specialist in New York, New York
Job Description
The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service.
The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate (OTA) is an independent office within the Department of Finance which assists customers who have been unable to resolve their tax issues through normal Department of Finance channels. In addition, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate makes systemic recommendations to improve DOF policies and procedures. OTA’s base matters consist of NYC property, business, and certain excise tax issues.
The Office of the Parking Summons Advocate is an office within OTA that ensures and promotes fairness in the parking summons dispute resolution process. The office serves members of the public who wish to dispute, or have disputed, their parking summonses. The office acts as an intermediary between unrepresented and underrepresented members of the public, DOF units, and other agencies involved in the parking summons adjudication process; informs the public about parking laws and related Department of Finance policies and procedures; and recommends solutions to systemic problems and issues in the parking summons adjudication process.
The Office of the Taxpayer seeks a dynamic, experienced individual to serve as the Taxpayer Advocate Research Specialist. The role of the Taxpayer Advocate is to assist taxpayers with problems that meet the Taxpayer Advocate criteria, to identify systemic problems and to prepare a report of activities to the Commissioner of Finance. The Taxpayer Advocates staff must have excellent communication skills and will be required to interact with many different people and businesses. The staff may also interact with NYC Council persons and representatives from Borough Presidents' offices on matters that they may refer to the office. There is an opportunity for a motivated individual to serve as a Taxpayer Advocate Research Specialist to assists taxpayers in technical and procedural cases involving inquiry meeting the Taxpayer Advocates criteria.
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Conduct policy analysis, research, and investigations in the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate.
Research New York City property tax, business tax, and other excess taxes and fees collected by the Department of Finance.
Manage and research taxpayer inquiries regarding not-for-profit real property tax exemption, including but not limited to, application for exemption, as well as, denial, revocation or termination of such exemption.
Make and record observations on the process of research and evaluate data.
Oversee the design and implementation of projects that evaluate and enhance program operations.
Assist the Taxpayer Advocate prepare any annual or periodic reports required by statue or otherwise.
Assist in special projects and research projects.
Interview taxpayers to determine tax situations and answer questions about notices, letters, bills, or other DOF correspondence and determine the status of the taxpayers account in matters involving the New York City business and property taxes.
Counsel taxpayers on business case issues, advocate for the taxpayer with the DOF operating/functional offices/divisions, to resolve issues, and take corrective action under authority that the Taxpayer Advocate delegates.
Perform research, analysis, and necessary computations to make adjustments to taxpayers' accounts if needed.
As necessary, the Taxpayer Advocate Research Specialist will confer with the Taxpayer Advocate Attorney Advisor concerning the applicability of law, regulation or procedure as the basis of any adjustment.
Participate in activities to provide guidance to targeted audiences on case advocacy, case criteria, delegated authorities and service level agreements.
Supervise and coordinate public outreach efforts related to the not-for-profit real property tax exemption.
Coordinate with other city agencies to address consequences that a not-for-profit organization may confront as a result of a tax lien.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.
NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.