2B49
TAX ANALYST TRAINEE

This is training level tax analyst work learning to apply the principles and practices of tax enforcement. Employees in this class receive instruction in, and follow departmental practices, directives and guidelines in the initiation of enforcement against delinquent taxpayers, negotiating settlements, and the collection of taxes. Through experience gained by exposure to accepted legal and revenue collection standards, and revenue codes and ordinances, the employee is assigned more complex cases leading to the full performance level. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior.

• The position must be located in the City Solicitor's Office.
• The employee must initiate collection action against delinquent taxpayers.

• Receives guidance in examining case folders of the less involved accounts which are delinquent in one or more of the various self-assessed taxes; determines and assesses collection probability and estimates the feasibility of initiating litigation; directs correspondence to taxpayers, or their representatives requesting payment or additional information.
• Learns, under the direction of a technical superior, how to negotiate settlements within defined boundaries; discusses the feasibility of initiating litigation, the placing of cases into suspense, and the closing of cases.
• Learns to prepare complaints against taxpayers as directed and submits them to an attorney or technical superior who reviews them for factual and technical correctness.
• Learns to prepare legal documents as directed by the Law Department such as judgment papers, writs of execution, final decrees, and petitions for attachment. Processes payments to the Revenue Department covering the monies owed to the City or School District; prepares the memoranda and other documents related to payment reconciliation, account status and general tax administration; meets with and/or discusses with taxpayers, outstanding taxes owed; negotiates tax settlements pursuant to direction of a superior within established settlement guidelines; enters computer data for cases being handled, and uses software applications such as word processing, database, spreadsheet, mainframe access, and intranet/internet to generate documents and analyze data.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• business mathematics
• application of standard analysis principles, practices and methods
• computer software for word processing and spreadsheet applications
• computer generated reports, use of database
• English usage and grammar
ABILITY TO:
• learn to effectuate case settlements
• learn to comprehend, interpret and analyze appropriate Federal income tax laws, city tax ordinances, and apply facts to tax cases
• learn to ascertain facts from information gathered by field investigators
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, taxpayers and their representatives, court personnel and employees of other municipal agencies
• operate computer programs and software applications

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in accounting, finance, mathematics, taxation, or a related field.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included completion of the coursework specified above.

NOTE:

Two years of experience as a Collection Customer Representative with the City of Philadelphia performing collection work related to tax enforcement may be substituted for the major course work cited above, provided the candidate has a bachelor's degree.

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.