Dedicated to growing Ohio’s economy
through the efficient, fair, and customer-focused
administration of our tax system.
The Ohio Department of Taxation is responsible for the administration of individual and business taxes across the state. We emphasize a customer-focused approach to tax administration through courtesy, accuracy, responsiveness, and equitability in each interaction with Ohio taxpayers. Our Department is comprised of a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we invest in each employee through in-depth tax training. As an employee of the Department, you will experience many benefits such as:
- Future opportunities for hybrid telework schedule
- Competitive total compensation package (including medical, dental, and vision insurance)
- Exceptional retirement package offering employer-match benefits through OPERS
- Annual wage increases
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health and wellness incentives
- Work-life balance
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
We seek promotable , professional , and passionate candidates to fill our available positions-if this sounds like you, continue reading below to learn more about career opportunities with our Department!
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The Ohio Department of Taxation’s Tax Appeals Division is seeking up to two (2) talented candidates
to fill our available entry-level Attorney 2 positions.
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The Tax Appeals Division’s (TAD) primary function is to resolve disputed tax assessments or denials of refund claims. As an Attorney 2 in the Tax Appeals Division, you will conduct factual and legal research, hold informal administrative hearings, and draft Final Determinations, which act as the Tax Commissioner’s final ruling on various tax matters. TAD attorneys work on the front lines of legal tax policy, and their research and recommendations often represent the Department’s first legal interpretation of important tax policies and recent rulings from the Board of Tax Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court.
TAD Attorneys contribute to significant policy, process, and presentation projects. Attorneys are often called upon to analyze legislative and policy proposals, publicly presenting at tax seminars and conferences, and work on teams tasked with developing innovative approaches to Departmental operations. There’s always that next step in the evolution of a legal issue or coming change to a Departmental system or process, and our TAD attorneys play important roles in predicting and preparing for those changes.
As with all Department positions, our attorneys are focused on customer service. Specifically, TAD attorneys seek to educate fellow taxpayers of their legal rights and responsibilities so they can comply with Ohio’s tax laws and regulations. Attorneys work with taxpayers throughout the administrative appeal process to develop the evidence and arguments necessary to reach the appropriate legal conclusion.
In this role, you will join a team-centric work environment; TAD attorneys work together to ensure we’re producing well-researched, well-reasoned, and well-written legal recommendations. We recognize the achievements of our colleagues and encourage each other to pursue personal and professional growth. TAD attorneys regularly collaborate with talented and dedicated Departmental colleagues and attorneys from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to resolve appeals and identify trends in assessments or refund claims that may have broader legal ramifications.
For more information, scroll down to review the Official Position Description.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
To qualify for an Attorney 2, you should document on your online application the following:
- Admission to the Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of the Ohio Revised Code (please attach a scanned copy of your bar card to your online application)
Major Worker Characteristics
Knowledge of: (1) tax law (i.e., procedural & substantive, federal &/or state/local); (2) legal research methods; (3) legal writing; (4) interviewing; (5) laws, rules & procedures applicable to operations of employing agency*.
Ability to: (6) deal with large number of variables & determine specific course of action; (7) organize & interpret extensive variety of legal material in books, journals or legal documents; (8) communicate verbally regarding legal issues; (9) handle sensitive contacts with government officials, adverse parties &/or general public.
(*)Developed after employment.
Additional Information
Unless required by legislation or union contract, the selected candidate will begin at Pay Grade 32, Step 1 of the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule, with an opportunity for a pay increase after 12 months of satisfactory performance.
This position will report to our Northland facility ( 4485 Northland Ridge Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 ).
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Section 2961 of the Ohio Revised Code prohibits individuals convicted of a felony including but not limited to fraud, deceit, or theft from holding a position that has substantial management or control over the property of a state agency. Additionally, section 5703.081 of the Ohio Revised Code requires The Department of Taxation employees to promptly file and pay tax returns.
Official Position Description
70% – Presides over quasi-judicial administrative hearings (e.g., ensures preservation of record; listens to witness testimony; rules on motions & objections; assesses witness credibility) & prepares written decision containing findings of fact & conclusions of law (i.e., cases involve issues having statewide impact; cases involve multiple & complex type of issues such as tax assessment audits).
10% – Provides legal advice to & responds to inquiries from state &/or county agency administrators, general public, legislators &/or government officials; investigates complaints of regulated industries & gathers & preserves evidence; attends meetings with attorneys &/or in-house counsel; testifies in court.
20% – Conducts legal research of case & statutory law, constitutions, state &/or federal rules, pinions &/or orders; drafts motions, pleadings, memoranda, contracts, leases, agreements, orders &/or other documents for agency staff; prepares reports & maintains records; prepares transcripts for appellate review.