Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Qualified Tax Expert (QTE)
National Legal Aid & Defender Association, Asheville, NC, United States
Low‑Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Qualified Tax Expert (QTE)
Position is full‑time and exempt under FLSA. Hybrid remote schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote. Base office in Asheville, NC.
Responsibilities
Represent low‑income and ESL taxpayers before the IRS, NCDOR, or in U. S. Tax Court regarding tax controversies such as examinations, audit reconsiderations, innocent‑ and injured‑spouse issues, identity theft, return‑preparer misconduct, and other tax‑related matters.
Obtain appropriate credentials to represent taxpayers before the IRS and in U. S. Tax Court.
Prepare tax returns when necessary for case handling.
Provide technical assistance to PLS staff, including attorneys and tax preparers, on income‑tax issues.
Maintain a caseload commensurate with experience and conduct client intake with contemporaneous records in case‑management software.
Conduct trauma‑informed and client‑centered interviews with a holistic approach to poverty‑law remedies.
Analyze and review changes in tax laws and regulations, emphasizing their impact on low‑income and ESL taxpayers, and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys and the public.
Adhere to program priorities, case‑handling policies, procedures and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
Conduct outreach and community education to taxpayers and service providers to build awareness of tax benefits and credits available to low‑income and ESL taxpayers.
Help coordinate and participate in special projects or clinics.
Develop and maintain relationships with communities, other non‑profit agencies, government officials, employees, community leaders and others.
Provide all information and services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Qualifications
Enrolled Agent, N.C. Licensed CPA, or N.C. Licensed Attorney.
Knowledge and understanding of federal income tax law.
Experience in tax preparation.
Experience in tax controversy or advising and representing taxpayers before the IRS (preferred).
Demonstrated skills in socio‑economic and cultural sensitivity and a commitment to equity.
Commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, consumers, clients, board members, donors, community groups and others.
Self‑motivated, able to work independently.
Detail‑oriented, accurate and organized.
Ability to interpret, remember and execute complex instructions.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams.
Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Power Point and Adobe PDF; experience with legal research tools such as Bloomberg Tax, Checkpoint, or TaxNotes.
Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with co‑workers and clients in virtual, face‑to‑face and meeting settings.
General Requirements
Available 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, Monday‑Friday, except NC State holidays.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Access to a reliable car with car insurance preferred.
Available to work nights and/or weekends during high demand periods.
Multitask and interact well with professionals, clients and others.
Spanish Language Skills Preferred
Spanish language skills are preferred to better serve the community.
Salary & Benefits
Salary ranges from $54,416 – $118,243 depending on IRS Enrolled Agent status, CPA designation, attorney licensure, experience and qualifications.
Our salary scale is predetermined based on relative professional work experience to ensure equity in pay. Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.
Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage starting the month following the start date. The organization pays 100% of the employee and 50% of the dependent cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage, 50% of the employee coverage cost for BCBS Vision coverage, 100% of Long‑Term & Short‑Term Disability Coverage, and life insurance coverage of 5x base salary plus an additional $15,000 for additional coverage and AD&D coverage. A 401(k) retirement plan is available after 6 months of employment. Additional fringe benefits include pet insurance, paid parental leave, paid bereavement leave, 13.5 company holidays, 22 paid leave days, paid sabbatical leave for eligible staff, an employee assistance program for the household and a supportive work‑life balance.
Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with the Human Resources department.
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Position is full‑time and exempt under FLSA. Hybrid remote schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote. Base office in Asheville, NC.
Responsibilities
Represent low‑income and ESL taxpayers before the IRS, NCDOR, or in U. S. Tax Court regarding tax controversies such as examinations, audit reconsiderations, innocent‑ and injured‑spouse issues, identity theft, return‑preparer misconduct, and other tax‑related matters.
Obtain appropriate credentials to represent taxpayers before the IRS and in U. S. Tax Court.
Prepare tax returns when necessary for case handling.
Provide technical assistance to PLS staff, including attorneys and tax preparers, on income‑tax issues.
Maintain a caseload commensurate with experience and conduct client intake with contemporaneous records in case‑management software.
Conduct trauma‑informed and client‑centered interviews with a holistic approach to poverty‑law remedies.
Analyze and review changes in tax laws and regulations, emphasizing their impact on low‑income and ESL taxpayers, and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys and the public.
Adhere to program priorities, case‑handling policies, procedures and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
Conduct outreach and community education to taxpayers and service providers to build awareness of tax benefits and credits available to low‑income and ESL taxpayers.
Help coordinate and participate in special projects or clinics.
Develop and maintain relationships with communities, other non‑profit agencies, government officials, employees, community leaders and others.
Provide all information and services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Qualifications
Enrolled Agent, N.C. Licensed CPA, or N.C. Licensed Attorney.
Knowledge and understanding of federal income tax law.
Experience in tax preparation.
Experience in tax controversy or advising and representing taxpayers before the IRS (preferred).
Demonstrated skills in socio‑economic and cultural sensitivity and a commitment to equity.
Commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, consumers, clients, board members, donors, community groups and others.
Self‑motivated, able to work independently.
Detail‑oriented, accurate and organized.
Ability to interpret, remember and execute complex instructions.
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams.
Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Power Point and Adobe PDF; experience with legal research tools such as Bloomberg Tax, Checkpoint, or TaxNotes.
Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with co‑workers and clients in virtual, face‑to‑face and meeting settings.
General Requirements
Available 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, Monday‑Friday, except NC State holidays.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Access to a reliable car with car insurance preferred.
Available to work nights and/or weekends during high demand periods.
Multitask and interact well with professionals, clients and others.
Spanish Language Skills Preferred
Spanish language skills are preferred to better serve the community.
Salary & Benefits
Salary ranges from $54,416 – $118,243 depending on IRS Enrolled Agent status, CPA designation, attorney licensure, experience and qualifications.
Our salary scale is predetermined based on relative professional work experience to ensure equity in pay. Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.
Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage starting the month following the start date. The organization pays 100% of the employee and 50% of the dependent cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage, 50% of the employee coverage cost for BCBS Vision coverage, 100% of Long‑Term & Short‑Term Disability Coverage, and life insurance coverage of 5x base salary plus an additional $15,000 for additional coverage and AD&D coverage. A 401(k) retirement plan is available after 6 months of employment. Additional fringe benefits include pet insurance, paid parental leave, paid bereavement leave, 13.5 company holidays, 22 paid leave days, paid sabbatical leave for eligible staff, an employee assistance program for the household and a supportive work‑life balance.
Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with the Human Resources department.
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