NAA Senior Indirect Tax Specialist

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

About you and this role

Dow has an opportunity for a NAA Senior Indirect Tax Specialist. Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Credits & Incentives and NA Indirect Tax, this position will manage the representation of Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries in matters pertaining to NAA state and local taxes (property, sales/use, and miscellaneous excise) for assigned states & provinces.  The Senior Tax Specialist is responsible for supervising the indirect tax compliance process in North America Tax Operations and managing third party staff resources for tax compliance and audits.  Emphasis is on compliance, tax planning, audits and communicating indirect tax matters to company management.  The Tax Specialist must develop and maintain knowledge of tax laws and court decisions, as well as the “customs and practices” for each state/province and local jurisdiction in which the company does business.  Additionally, must develop and maintain knowledge of company operations and plan & manage the development and implementation of systems and procedures to ensure proper compliance with the law while minimizing the tax impact.  Provide counsel, advice and direction to professional and administrative staff to ensure consistent, effective and efficient handling of company tax compliance and planning efforts.

Responsibilities

• Maintain regional office to promote relationship with a) company personnel to develop appropriate tax consciousness and effective tax effort and b) state and local government authorities to facilitate the resolution of tax matters as they arise.
• Timely filing of regional indirect tax returns (e.g., sales and use, gross receipts, excise, unclaimed property).
• Manage third party consulting firm resources - compliance and audit staff for maximum utilization and to enhance efficiencies.  
• Analyze company operations, data and tax burdens compared to other taxpayers; prepare and/or supervise appraisals of company properties; plan and implement corrective action where problems are identified, including negotiations and/or represent the company at administrative or judicial appeal proceedings as necessary.
• Manage the preparation and filing of property, sales & use, miscellaneous excise, unclaimed property, fuel, and environmental/hazardous waste tax returns, business licensing, tax exemption applications and contracts.  Coordinate the review and payment of applicable state/local tax bills. 
• Support the US & Canada property tax budget cycle including estimates, accrual & expense amortization, and account reconciliations.
• Support the month-end close process by booking tax accruals, performing fluctuation analyses on account balances, and preparing key account reconciliations. 
• Coordinate and support external audits, including general ledger extracts and variance analyses, and resolving audit differences through negotiation and/or formal appeals, if necessary. 
• Review/draft legislative proposals, analyze their effect on company operations, and recommend modifications and/or a position of support or opposition, including, when necessary, the presentation of testimony to legislative committees.
• Inform management of significant tax problems and trends to facilitate proper tax planning.

Job Impact/Value Creation

Actions and decisions relative to specific tax issues can directly impact and control the magnitude of the annual tax liability. The individual must be capable at interpreting and analyzing complex legislative proposals, statutory provisions and judicial decisions while forecasting their impact on current and future operations of the company and/or subsidiaries.

The individual must have the confidence, sensitivity and maturity to interact with company management, state and local governmental authorities, legislators, and other industry representatives. The individual must be a self-starter, show initiative, be innovative, creative and have the ability to think clearly and quickly, anticipate developments, always be prepared, resolve issues effectively while having an attention to detail in their work product.