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Case Advocate

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Taxpayer Advocate Services (TAS)

Summary

WHAT IS TAXPAYER ADVOCATE SERVICE?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

  • Position(s) are to be filled in the following area(s):
    • TAS - Deputy National Taxpayer Advocate - Executive Director Case Advocacy (EDCA)
  • Consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a location, that location will become your official post of duty.
REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$40,736 - $90,731 per year

The range reflects the minimum locality to maximum locality for locations listed in the announcement. Salary will be based on selected duty location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 9
Promotion potential
11 - This position has career progression. If selected at a lower grade level you may be promoted without further competition to the full working level as your career progresses.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Tour of Duty: Day Shift, Monday-Friday start and stop times between 6:00am and 6:00pm, 40 hours per week. Tour of duty may be temporarily changed for required training.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. New hires may be placed in a local commuting area for required training.
Appointment type
Permanent - Career Conditional/Career Appointment requires a 1 year probationary period and three years of continuous service to move from Career Conditional to a Career appointment.
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-13046576C-TAX-0501-5T9
Control number
882603700

Duties

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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.

  • In a developmental capacity the incumbent provides assistance to the taxpayer in technical and procedural tax cases covering the full range of cases and issues encountered in the TAS office while concentrating on those with the most complicating or specialized factors. The Case Advocate represents the office in advocating these cases involving complications and specialized issues for the taxpayer with the IRS' operating/functional divisions (OD/Fs) to resolve issues. Takes corrective action within TAS statutory and delegated authorities, including development of cases for purpose of recommending the issuance of Taxpayer Assistance Orders.
  • Performs specialized research, analysis, and necessary computations to make adjustments to taxpayers' accounts that have specialized factors. Using highly developed institutional knowledge of internal processes, solves vexing process and procedural problems of cases. Per the TAS/IRS service level agreements, recommends adjustments as appropriate and initiates credit transfers, payment tracers, and computations to tax, penalty, and interest. Prepares manual refunds, makes abatements, and prepares and executes waivers to extend statutes within TAS statutory and delegated authorities.
  • Confers with the taxpayer who has experienced a delay beyond normal processing time, a significant hardship, or where systemic issues have been identified and actions taken, clarifying the basis of the complicating problem and citing applicable laws as necessary.
  • Educates taxpayers and/or their representatives regarding tax obligations, responsibilities, rights, and options, including possible adverse consequences of decisions. Fully advises taxpayer of all rights and, as applicable, secures agreement of taxpayer to final decision.
  • Provides guidance to targeted audiences in seminars, speeches, and workshops. The incumbent may be required to work outside their tour of duty (TOD) for this work. Provides in-house training and assistance to lower-level employees as necessary.
STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTIONS (SPD): PD 26402, PD 26403, and PD 26404. Visit the IRS SPD Library to access the position descriptions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Probationary Period - All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding.
  • Government Credit Card - Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
Key Eligibility Requirements:
  • U.S Citizenship - Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Selective Service Registration - Males born after December 31, 1959 are required to be registered with the Selective Service System or prove they are exempt from having to do so.
  • Personal Identity Verification (PIV) - Must provide 2 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.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS SHOWN IN QUALIFICATIONS OR ADDTIONAL INFORMATION SECTIONS

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through 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/day/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.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
GS-05 Level: You must have 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service.
General experience for this position must include:

  • Analyzing problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
  • Planning and organizing work.
  • Communicating effectively orally and in writing.

Such experience may have been gained in government, business or industry, investigative work, banking, law, accounting, or other work appropriate to the position to be filled.
OR
You may substitute education for general experience as follows: Four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work from an accredited college or university.
OR
An equivalent combination of qualifying undergraduate education and general experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-07 Level: You must have one 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 must include:

  • Advising & assisting others in order to explain issues related to meeting Federal tax obligations.
  • Applying knowledge of business practices, policies, procedures, basic accounting principles, and Federal tax laws & regulations.
  • Interviewing individuals and reviewing tax and bookkeeping records and returns.
  • Analyzing systems using fact-finding techniques.

OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: One (1) full year of graduate education demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work such as accounting, finance, taxation, business administration or other field from an accredited college or university.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) - Completed requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, 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 the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the final 2 years of the curriculum. (Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.) OR by ranking in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or subdivision. OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Any society not included in the Association of College Honor Societies listing must ensure the honor society cited by the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. (Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.)
OR
An equivalent combination of qualifying graduate level education and specialized experience.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-09 Level: You must have one 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 must include:

  • Applying basic accounting principles, examination techniques & collection processes to assist taxpayers in resolving tax issues.
  • Communicating with taxpayers & their representatives to determine the nature of assistance needed, obtaining information & determining its relevance to resolve tax issues/problems.
  • Advising and assisting taxpayers in meeting federal tax obligations.
  • Managing an inventory and meeting deadlines.

OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work from an accredited college or university such as accounting, finance, taxation, business administration or another related field.
OR
Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work such as accounting, finance, taxation, business administration or other related field from an accredited college or university
OR
LL.B. or J.D., if related to an accounting, finance, taxation, business administration or other related field demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work from an accredited college or university.
OR
An equivalent combination of qualifying graduate level education (in excess of that required at the next lower grade level) and specialized experience.

AND

You must also meet the following requirements

  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old, or at least 16 years old and have:
    • Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
    • Completed a formal vocational training program; or
    • Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education.

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

Education

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.

We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).

Additional information

Suitability Requirements:

  • Prior IRS Employment - Former employees will be subject to a screening of their prior conduct with the Service. The Taxpayer First Act of 2019, 26 U.S. Code 7804, prohibits the IRS from rehiring certain former employees who were removed from service.
  • Tax Check - Must undergo a review of income tax verification. To check the status of your tax record go to: (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript). If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
  • Fingerprint/Criminal History Check - This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information regarding your rights refer to Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).

Additional Information:
  • Consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a location, that location will become your official post of duty.
  • In the event that a building is closed due to rent management, new hires may be placed in a local commuting location.
  • Additional jobs may be filled from this announcement or any other source to fill these vacancies.
  • Salary: General Schedule (GS) Locality Pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
  • Cost-of-Living Allowances (COLA): Alaska (AK3237) includes COLA. See COLA Rates 2026.
  • Formal Development Plan - If this position is covered by a formal development plan, pay retention will be offered where applicable based on law and regulation.
  • Travel may be required for in-person training.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  • Accountability
  • Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Rating: Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, CAT A, CAT B or CAT C.

Referral: Eligible applicants rated in the highest category group, may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates, if required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices), will be interviewed in category group order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Qualified preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS, CP) are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Remaining preference eligibles are placed above non-preference eligibles within their assigned category.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must receive a rating of category CAT B to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

If you are selected, you will be subject to all requirements listed in the Requirements, Qualifications, and Additional Information sections of this announcement which includes, Prior Employment/Tax Checks, Fingerprint/Criminal History checks.

Internal Revenue Service

WHY IS THE IRS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK? As an IRS employee, you will feel proud knowing you helped make America stronger while working at one of the world's biggest financial institutions. You will be part of an organization that collects over $2 trillion in revenue and processes over 200 million tax returns annually. We are proud of how we apply the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. The IRS hires talented and dedicated individuals from many backgrounds, including accounting, business, finance, law enforcement and information technology. You will be challenged & supported on a daily basis. Whether you are just starting out or looking for a new opportunity, consider an IRS career.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has a distinguished history dating back to the founding of our nation. As the steward of U.S. economic and financial systems, Treasury is a major and influential leader in today's global economy. We have employees across the country and around the world. Come Join the Department of the Treasury and Invest in Tomorrow.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? Visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

Agency contact information

IRS Cincinnati External
Email
covingtonpersonnel1@irs.gov
Address
TAS - Deputy National Taxpayer Advocate
1111 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20224
US

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