Tax Experienced Senior, State and Local Tax - Property Tax

About the role

The Tax Experienced Senior, State and Local Tax – Property Tax applies industry knowledge and experience to assist clients with property tax implications of their business objectives, recommending alternate courses of action and identifying methods of complying with tax regulations. The role involves understanding potential tax issues, evaluating alternative actions to lessen tax burden and compliance costs, recognizing and communicating risks, tracking tax policy changes, and assisting with routine agency questions. This position serves as the primary client contact, preparing and presenting client-facing presentations and managing the annual property tax cycle for multiple client assignments.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge to understand potential tax issues and evaluate alternative actions to reduce tax burden and compliance costs
• Recognize and communicate potential risks and identify changes in tax policy, applying new policies to compliance
• Act as primary client contact, including preparing and presenting presentations to clients and potential clients
• Manage compliance processes throughout the annual property tax cycle for multiple client assignments
• Personal property duties: data review, return preparation, assessment notice gathering, value review/appeal, informal settlement negotiations, and tax bill processing
• Real property duties: value review, informal settlement negotiations, and formal value hearings
• Identify when research is needed; frame issues; analyze facts and authorities; and report analysis
• Demonstrate in-depth understanding of various tax authorities and apply firm standards for return preparation
• Develop and maintain relationships with state and local assessment personnel
• Ensure clients comply with all applicable authorities while minimizing tax and reporting burdens
• Track availability and filing requirements regarding client-related information
• Apply tax compliance knowledge with accuracy and efficiency; price services and sell related services
• Ensure tax engagement letters are adopted prior to engagement work and manage engagements
• Conduct detailed reviews of tax returns and identify basic, complex, and advanced issues
• Communicate with clients to gather information as needed
• Develop, recommend, and implement methods to maximize client benefits, especially by decreasing current and future taxes
• Consider applicability of all state tax consulting sub-specialties for each client and confer with other tax consultants
• Interpret existing and new law and client facts to maximize benefits; involve relevant subject matter experts
• Apply workplans for tax consulting projects; develop consultative selling skills; manage client expectations
• Inform Core Tax Services leadership of state tax opportunities for clients
• Review assessment notices and monitor client expectations regarding controversy issues
• Prepare valuation analysis for potential appeals and provide negotiation and appeal representation
• Handle routine questions from local or state agencies with assistance
• Utilize PTMS, One Source, or other property tax management software systems and tax research databases
• Train SALT Property Tax staff on current software tools
• Develop in-depth understanding of technical and practical issues in one or more areas of taxation; manage specialization services
• Organize and conduct internal CPE training sessions in area of specialization
• Introduce and develop new or improved ideas to advance client, firm, or personnel positions by reducing taxes or expenses
• Review studies of tax implications and offer clients alternative courses of action; assist with research and implementation
• Understand documentation associated with tax strategies; identify lessons learned and propose improvements
• Propose marketing approaches for new ideas and discuss simple tax strategies with clients
• Build client relationships, marketing, networking, and business development
• Provide technical client service to multi-state companies with state and local income and franchise tax issues including research, planning, and controversy work
• Assist multi-state companies with state and local tax planning, consulting, and negotiation of settlements
• Make high-level decisions regarding filing and preparation; handle questions from local and state agencies
• Economically and productively manage projects including billing and accounts receivable responsibilities
• Educate and advise professionals regarding state and local tax law
• Supervise work assignments of SALT Property Tax Associates and Interns; provide performance feedback and participate in annual evaluations
• Act as a mentor and assist in professional development of SALT Property Tax Associates and Interns

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Accounting, Finance, Economics, Math, or related field preferred
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Taxation, Economics, Math, or related field preferred
• Juris Doctorate preferred
• Three or more years of experience in property, state and local, or multi-state tax required
• Prior experience with real property appeals preferred
• CMI, ASA, CPA certification or other relevant certification preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint preferred
• Ability to use standard tax applications and research tools preferred

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Solid organizational skills and ability to meet project deadlines with attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task while working independently or within a group
• Capable of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and client personnel
• Advanced knowledge of all tax return forms
• Excellent people development and delegation skills; ability to encourage a team environment
• Executive presence and ability to act as primary contact on assigned engagements
• Basic understanding of tax compliance and ability to interact with professionals at all levels
• Working knowledge of tax standards, relevant information sources, valuation and appraisal standards, and taxable conditions
• Excellent decision-making skills and ability to create written tax advice
• Basic understanding of representing clients before tax authorities on contested issues
• Knowledgeable in business personal property and real property assessments across the United States

Pay

Individual salaries are determined after consideration of qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

• National Range: $74,550 – $147,000
• Maryland Range: $74,550 – $147,000
• NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $74,550 – $147,000
• Washington DC Range: $74,550 – $147,000