Summary Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, seeks enthusiastic individuals to serve taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS. To learn more, click the links below: IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site Meet Our People Learn about our Legal Divisions Responsibilities The Office of Division Counsel (Taxpayer Services), located in Washington, DC, is responsible for providing legal services to the Chief, Taxpayer Services, and Taxpayer Services (TS) Division, the IRS's largest operating division. The Division Counsel (Taxpayer Services) office was previously known as the Division Counsel (Wage & Investment) office. The office provides legal advice and support services on tax administration matters with a focus on individual taxpayers. As a Special Counsel, the incumbent serves as a legal staff official and confidential advisor to the Division Counsel and as a principal legal advisor, under the supervision of the Division Counsel, to the Taxpayer Services Division of the IRS. The incumbent assists the Division Counsel in the formulation of policies and programs for the operation of the Office and oversees Counsel's activities with regard to specific TS programs. As a General Attorney (Tax), Special Counsel to the Division Counsel you will: Assist TS with the development of strategies, plans, and designs for a comprehensive tax administration program that meets the needs of taxpayers and stakeholders and promotes the goals of TS with a focus on pre-filing and filing activities of individual taxpayers. Advise on aspects of the strategic planning process both for TS and for the Division Counsel. Participate in operational reviews to understand and provide advice on the legal issues facing TS and assist in the Business Performance Review and the Business Plan process for the Division Counsel Office. Advise on published guidance projects and legislative proposals, including developing, coordinating, and analyzing the impact of proposed legislation or guidance relating to the activities of TS. Assist TS with the implementation of new legislation and in research, development, and training. Serve as a principal legal advisor to Customer Assistance, Relationships and Education (CARE) office, Customer Account Services (CAS) and Return Integrity and Compliance Services (RICS) within TS. CARE is responsible for educating and communicating with taxpayers about their tax responsibilities, creating and improving tax forms, instructions, publications, and notices, and providing in-person assistance to taxpayers at offices around the country. CAS is responsible for processing returns and providing telephone assistance to taxpayers with account and technical tax questions. RICS protects the public interest by improving the IRS's ability to detect and prevent improper refunds and helps taxpayers understand the refundable credits for which they are eligible. Coordinate questions concerning litigation and settlement of issues and cases involving TS with TS, other Division Counsel offices, Associate Chief Counsel offices, and the Department of Justice. This is not an all-inclusive list. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. To qualify for this position of General Attorney (Tax), Special Counsel to the Division Counsel you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement: Basic Requirements for General Attorney (Tax), Special Counsel to the Division Counsel: Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; GS-15 Experience Requirements: 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus 3 year(s) of professional legal tax experience Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as: thorough and comprehensive legal knowledge of, and experience in applying, tax laws affecting individual taxpayers. At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-14). Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience. Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of the position (tax, GLS-related, or P&A- FOIA/Disclosure related field) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. Time in Grade Requirement for GS-15: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-14). Education For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Relocation expenses are not authorized. This is a non-bargaining unit position. We offer opportunities for telework. We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules. The salary range indicated in this announcement covers multiple locality areas. Your salary will be adjusted based on the post of duty for which you are selected. Conditions of Employment Continued: Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed). Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Undergo an income tax verification. The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns. This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)"
