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Internal Revenue Agent

Duties

WHAT IS THE TAX EXEMPT AND GOVERMENT ENTITIES (TEGE) DIVISION?
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 and Government Entities Employee Plans

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.
  • Analyzes applications and issues determination letters on difficult pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans under applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions. Examines and interprets the provisions of plans and documents accompanying applications. Analyzes information in exhibits and applies technical tests to determine if applicable statutory and other requirements are met.
  • Audits returns filed in connection with the above plans. Reviews operating mechanics. Considers probable effects of contributions and benefits, and ensures that plans are benefiting employees in general and do not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
  • Analyzes amendments to existing plans to determine if their qualification or exempt status is adversely affected.
  • Examines curtailments and terminations of a plan and determines if discrimination will result and if a valid business reason existed for such action.
  • Examines employer's return for employee's pension or profit sharing plans to substantiate deductions for contributions made under deferred compensation plans.


Requirements



Conditions of Employment


  • To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement/enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
  • Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/(https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.


Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework 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.

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

BASIC REQUIREMENT (ALL GRADES and GS-05): A 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 Combination of education and experience: equivalent to 4 years that included courses equivalent to a major in accounting, i.e., at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and 6 semester hours in related subjects as described above, in combination with appropriate experience or additional education. A Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) obtained through written examination in a State, territory or the District of Columbia meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants with CPA certificates may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: In addition to meeting the requirements outlined above, your coursework must be sufficient to demonstrate you have the following: principles of accounting, intermediate accounting, auditing, and two advanced accounting courses. A course in cost accounting is acceptable as one of the advanced accounting courses.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-07 LEVEL: 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-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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-09 LEVEL: 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-11 LEVEL: 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.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.


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.
  • Note: If substituting Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) for experience at the GS-7 level, please note that grade-point averages are rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9. The Qualifications requirements above will reflect if SAA is accepted for this position and the online questionnaire will offer the option to select SAA as a qualifying response.

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 for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.


Additional information


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-12 LEVEL: 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; Experience in corporate financial transactions and financial management principles and practices; Experience interacting effectively with a broad range of individuals and negotiating with specialists in accounting, legal, tax, and other similar business related professions. Experience preparing written reports and analyses, and articulating and communicating results and analyses orally and in writing.
  • Subject to a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • 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.
  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.
  • The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
  • This is a bargaining unit position.
  • Tour of Duty: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.
  • Relocation expenses - No
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • May be eligible for telework based on IRS policy. If you are in a telework eligible position, you may be directed to temporarily telework on a full-time basis due to COVID 19. Employees must be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. Once normal operations resume, employees may be directed back to the office to perform the duties of their position. Telework eligibility does not guarantee telework; employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.