Job opening: Internal Revenue Agent
Salary: $40 332 - 144 031 per year
Published at: Jan 01 2025
Employment Type: Full-time
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? Visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov
Duties
WHAT IS THE TAX EXEMPT/GOVERNMENT ENTITIESDIVISION?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions
Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas:
Tax Exempt/Government Entities Employee Plans
The following are the duties of this position at the full working level.
Analyzes determination letter applications with accompanying information and applies technical
tests to verify that a pension, profit sharing, and stock bonus plans' governing document satisfies
Internal Revenue Code and other regulatory provisions.
Performs on-site audits of returns filed in connection with the above plans. Reviews operating
mechanics, observes practices and procedures such as payroll and internal control systems,
operational compliance with the governing plan document and IRC, regulatory and other IRS
guidance, etc. Considers probable effects of contributions and benefits and ensures that
participating employees are receiving their proper benefit without discriminating in favor of highly
compensated employees and that the sponsor's contributions are in compliance with the plan
document, the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. Discrimination analysis includes
coverage and elective deferral testing and correction methods required if the plan is non-compliant
with its document or statutory and regulatory provisions.
Analyzes amendments to existing plans to determine if their qualification or exempt status is
adversely affected. Reviews plan documents and/or adoption agreements to determine whether
the plan document is a pre-approved plan with an IRS opinion letter and whether it has been timely
adopted for the most recent law requirements. If not accurately updated for a law cycle,
determination is made for the last set of laws that were timely updated and then pursues correction
action in accordance with required statutory or regulatory provisions such as Employee Plans
Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) Procedures, to update the plan with a new plan
document and/or adoption agreements and to retroactively qualify the plan.
Provides accurate technical expertise pertinent to employee plans, guidelines/codes, benefits, etc. to internal and external customers with professional and helpful service. Such includes guidance on
how to follow the plan document's terms and statutes governing compliance with the tax law
related to the plan's form and operational compliance. (i.e., tax law, government position, what
barriers have occurred in the plan, etc.).
Confers with internal and external customers to determine whether the plan satisfies all the
requirements for qualification. Contacts with third- parties to obtain or verify information and the
issuance of summons. if applicable. Adheres to IRM and TEQMS standards with assurance that
the examination results in a quality case file, which provides an audit trail that substantiates the
audit conclusions and any corrective mechanisms to ensure that the plan is operating in conformity
with the IRC and the governing document that is coupled with a well-written closing letter that
describes the audit results.
This position has career progression. If you are selected at a grade level lower than the full working level, you may be non-competitively promoted as your career progresses. For example, you may be hired as a GS-05, but if the position has career progression to GS-11, then you may move from a GS-05 to a GS-11 in as little as three years.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS ALL GRADES (ALSO MEETS GRADE 5 QUALIFICATIONS): INTERNAL:
A Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a bachelor's or higher degree in accounting that included at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and an additional 6 semester hours in related subjects such as business law, economics, statistical/quantitative methods, computerized accounting or financial systems, financial management, or finance.
OR
A bachelor's or higher degree in a field other than accounting or a combination of education and experience equivalent to 4 years that included at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and 6 semester hours in related subjects as described above.
OR
Currently or previously held an Internal Revenue Agent GS-0512 position for at least one year
AND Minimum Qualifications GS-07: You must have 1 year of Specialized Experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience in or related to accounting or auditing that provided the specific knowledge, skills and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience must have been acquired in a federal or business environment and must be sufficient to demonstrate: 1) knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, concepts and methodology of professional accounting and related fields and 2) skill in communicating and dealing effectively with others. Qualifying experience may have been in accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal, or other work that required the knowledge and skill defined above.
OR EDUCATION: Candidates must complete one full year of graduate level education in a field of study such as accounting, business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science.
OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in your major field of study or those courses in your major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of your class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
Minimum Qualifications GS-09: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have 1 year of Specialized Experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience in accounting, auditing, tax, financial, legal or other work that required 1) knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, concepts and methodology of professional accounting and related fields and 2) skill in communicating and dealing effectively with others. Qualifying experience is accounting work that includes the design, development, operation or inspection of accounting systems; the prescription of accounting standards, policies and requirements; the examination, analysis and interpretation of accounting data, records or reports; and the provision of accounting or financial management advice and assistance to management. Work could also include developing comprehensive accounting and financial information systems in concert with recognized accounting theory and practices as taught in academic institutions and promulgated by accounting standards boards, professional accounting organizations and the Comptroller General. Professional accounting work must have been creative, analytical, evaluative and interpretive. This may include: Office auditing of various types of tax returns to determine tax liability of individual taxpayers, businesses, or corporations. Interpreting and applying pertinent parts of the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations and procedures and conducting comprehensive analytical examinations. Making determination and redetermination, or audit, on liability for Federal taxes. Investigating alleged criminal violations of Federal tax statutes and making recommendations for criminal prosecution and assertion of civil penalties.
OR EDUCATION: A course of study that includes two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, leading to a Master's degree, in accounting or related field of business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science.
OR A Master's Degree in accounting or related field of business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science.
OR An equivalent amount of combined education and experience as described in paragraphs above.
Minimum Qualifications GS-11:In addition to the basic requirements, you must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience that required 1)Knowledge of and skill in applying professional accounting principles, concepts and methodology in the examination of accounting books, records and systems 2) skill in interpreting and applying tax law for individuals and business and/or exempt organizations; 3) knowledge of business and trade practices to analyze business operations and financial conditions; and 4) skill in interacting effectively in a wide range of situations with a broad range of individuals.Examples of experience qualifying as specialized include: (This list is not inclusive) Experience in interpreting and applying professional accounting and auditing techniques and practices to examine various tax returns of individuals and/or business organizations. Examining accounting systems and records including computerized accounting and financial information systems which reflect a variety of complex financial operations. Gathering and researching data from a variety of sources, and/or specialized accounting practices unique to a particular trade or industry. The interpretation and application of Federal tax law for individuals, business and/or exempt organizations, partnerships, and corporations.
OR EDUCATION: A course of study that includes 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in accounting or related field of business, finance, law, economics, management, statistical/quantitative methods or computer science.
OR An equivalent amount of combined education and experience as described in paragraphs above.
Minimum Qualifications GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes experience with progressively responsible and diversified professional accounting or auditing work that required the application of professional accounting principles, theory, and practices to analyze and interpret accounting books, records, or systems specifically to determine their effect on Federal tax liabilities and their adequacy for recording transactions affecting tax liabilities; Experience with the interpretation and application of Federal tax law for individuals, business and/or exempt organizations, partnerships, and corporations; Experience with business and trade practices to develop tax issues based on analysis and evaluation of overall business operations and financial condition
For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.
Education
A copy of your transcripts or equivalent documentation is required for positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. If the position has specific education requirements and you currently hold, or have previously held, a position in the same job series with the IRS, there is no need to submit a transcript or equivalent at this time. Applicants are encouraged, but are not required, to submit an SF-50 documenting experience in a specific series.
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: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click
here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or
here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
Contacts
- Address TEGE - Employee Plans
1111 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20224
US
- Name: (ERC) Employee Resource Center
- Phone: 866-743-5748