Tax Experienced Senior, State and Local Tax - Property Tax

Job Summary:

The STS Tax Experienced Senior, SALT - Property Tax applies industry knowledge and experience to clients by assisting in providing advice related to property tax implications of their business objectives, recommend alternate courses of action, as well as identify different methods of complying with tax regulations. Additional, the Property Tax Senior Associate is responsible for applying knowledge to understand potential tax issues, evaluating and selecting alternative actions to lessen tax burden and cost of compliance, recognizing and communicating potential risks, identifying potential changes in the tax policy and applying new policies to tax compliance and assisting in handling routine questions from local or state agencies. This role also serves as the primary contact for clients, as needed, including but not limited to preparing and presenting presentations to clients and potential clients. This position requires involvement in the compliance processes throughout the annual property tax cycle for multiple client assignments. Personal property duties include data review, return preparation, assessment notice gathering, value review/appeal, informal settlement negotiations and tax bill processing.  Real property duties include value review, informal settlement negotiations and formal value hearings.

Job Duties:

Research:

• Identifies when research is needed; frames issues to be researched; identifies sources of all information including information tending to contradict preferred positions, analyzes facts and authorities and reports the analysis
• Demonstrates an in-depth level of understanding of various tax authorities
• Applies firm and professional standards for preparation of property tax returns
• Develops and maintains relationships with state and local assessment personnel

Tax Compliance:

• Ensures clients comply with all applicable authorities, while at the same time minimizing their tax and reporting burdens
• Tracks availability and filing requirements regarding client-related information
• Applies tax compliance knowledge with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency
• Utilizes knowledge of preparation and issues to price services and sell related services
• Ensures tax engagement letters are adopted prior to engagement work commencing, and manages engagements
• Conducts detailed reviews of tax returns, and identifies basic, complex and advanced issues throughout the engagement
• Communicates with clients to gather information, when applicable

Tax Consulting:

• Develops, recommends and implements methods to maximize client benefits, especially by decreasing clients’ current and future taxes
• Considers the applicability of all state tax consulting sub-specialties for each client, conferring with other STS consultants, when appropriate
• Interprets existing and new law and client facts to maximize benefits
• Involves other state tax sub-specialty subject matter experts, when appropriate
• Applies workplans for tax consulting projects performed for clients
• Develops consultative selling skills
• Assists in managing client expectations
• Informs Core Tax Services leadership of state tax opportunities for clients

Tax Controversy:

• Reviews assessment notices
• Monitors client expectations regarding issues of controversy
• Prepares valuation analysis for potential appeals
• Provides negotiation and appeal representation for clients with assessors
• Handles routine questions from  local or state agencies with assistance

 
Tax Related Software:

• Utilizes PTMS, One Source or other property tax management software systems
• Utilizes tax research databases and other tax-related software in the completion of assigned tasks 
• Trains STS SALT Property Tax staff on all current software tools

Tax Specialization:

• Develops an in-depth understanding of the technical and practical issues and opportunities regarding one or more areas of taxation
• Manages specialization services efficiently
• Involves and works with firm specialists when client and proposal work relates to areas in which the firm has specialists
• Organizes and conducts internal CPE training sessions in area of specialization

Strategy Development:

• Introduces and develops new or improved ideas to advance the position of clients, the firm or firm personnel by reducing taxes or expenses or providing non-tax benefits
• Reviews studies of tax implications, and offers client alternative courses of