Tax Relief Specialist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Reviews and calculates tax documents and financial documents to determine income and assets for eligibility, including Federal and State income tax returns, year-end financial forms and schedules, investment statements, financial aid, and all other forms of financial resources.
• Reviews 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.
• Provides community presentations regarding all aspects of tax relief available programs for seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals.

Requirements

• 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; may be required to complete an Income Tax Course and obtain a Professional Certification from H&R Block within 6 months of hire.
• Must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program per County Human Resources policy.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics.
• Knowledge of time and work organization/management techniques.
• Knowledge of Federal tax returns and IRS codes.
• Knowledge of State tax legislation, County policies, and procedures.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and calculate tax documents and financial resource documents.
• Ability to interview individuals to gain an understanding of their financial situation and request documentation.
• Ability to respond to requests and inquiries from employees and the public courteously and tactfully, even in stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare a variety of reports.
• Ability to analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, and County laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to effectively use modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment and software.
• Ability to complete all tasks with accuracy and efficiency.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, schedule, and perform tasks simultaneously and efficiently.
• Ability to perform basic data entry.

Working Conditions

Work performed in a general office setting; may travel to County locations throughout the county to give presentations at community outreach events, expos, and senior centers.