Hearing Officer

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 67,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid leave

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is seeking a Hearing Officer to resolve taxpayer appeals, issuing final determinations and negotiating settlements. You will conduct hearings, perform legal research, and apply Indiana tax law with professionalism and impartiality.

The role requires active Indiana bar admission, strong writing and verbal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team. This exempt position may involve overtime as needed and offers robust benefits.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed and active in good standing to practice law in the state of Indiana.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Knowledge of, experience with, or ability to learn legal concepts, laws, trial rules, and Indiana tax law.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and conduct administrative hearings permitting each taxpayer the opportunity to fully explain the basis for that taxpayer’s appeal.
• Perform necessary legal research to fully address the taxpayer’s appeal, including internal DOR research.
• Fully resolve taxpayer appeals issuing thoroughly researched final determinations addressing each appeal.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with taxpayers, colleagues, and other DOR sections; advise as needed.
• Prepare and present settlement proposals, execute settlement documents, and ensure compliance with settlement agreements.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Indiana tax law knowledge

Oral advocacy

Education

Bar admission in Indiana

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About The Indiana Department Of Revenue (DOR)

The Indiana Department of Revenue team is comprised of over 700 staff that are located in 13 locations across the state of Indiana. We work collaboratively with the Indiana Governor's office, the General Assembly, state agencies, individuals, business owners, corporations, tax practitioners, and a variety of tax program participants to administer Indiana's tax laws. DOR administers over 65 tax types and annually processes nearly $21 billion of tax revenue. Our mission is to serve Indiana by administering tax laws in a fair, secure, and efficient manner.

Role Overview

DOR’s legal team is a highly productive and collegial team who has a lot of fun doing complex work and helping Hoosier taxpayers. As a Hearing Officer, you will use your experience and education as an attorney on day 1 with the goal being the resolution of taxpayer appeals on both a formal and informal basis. Primary responsibilities include resolving appeals by writing and issuing final determinations (which are published in the Indiana Register and represent DOR’s final word on a tax matter short of legislative or court reversal), or via negotiated settlement. You will serve as an impartial decision maker, evaluating the legal merits of the taxpayers’ arguments and DOR’s actions. You will conduct legal research in order to fully address a taxpayer appeal. You will also serve as a reviewer for DOR’s written documents and as a resource person-either as adviser or participant-to ad hoc or standing committees organized to address unique or ongoing issues before DOR. Ultimately, you will ensure that both DOR and taxpayers are in full compliance with Indiana tax law. You will also help advise and train other sections of DOR on the procedures of the Appeals section.

Salary

The minimum salary for this position starts at $67,314.00 for attorneys with 1-5 years, or $85,020.00 for attorneys with 5+, years of experience while admitted to a state bar, but may be greater commensurate with education or work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day In The Life

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Schedule and conduct administrative hearings permitting each taxpayer the opportunity to fully explain the basis for that taxpayer’s appeal if a hearing is requested by the taxpayer.
• Schedule administrative hearings within 30 days following the date on which the appeal is initially assigned.
• Perform the necessary legal and other research in order to fully address the taxpayer’s appeal, including internal DOR research.
• Fully resolve taxpayer appeals issuing thoroughly researched and clearly written final determinations addressing each appeal or otherwise resolving appeals in a timely manner.
• As necessary, consult with other members of the Legal Division team, and other members of DOR.
• Develop and maintain harmonious and professional relationships with taxpayers and their representatives, as well as colleagues within DOR.
• Resolve all associated issues raised following issuance of the final determination including requests for rehearing, preparation and issuance of supplementary final determinations, and settlement issues; as well as issues associated with litigation if a final determination is challenged in court.
• Prepare and present for consideration settlement proposals stemming from assigned appeals or otherwise assigned settlements; prepare, edit, and present for execution settlement documents; assure that all necessary steps are taken to assure that DOR complies with the executed settlement agreement.
• Provide internal legal advice to the rest of DOR, as requested.
• Participate in training and education of other DOR sections.
• Have fun working with a cohesive team and helping Hoosier taxpayers.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need For Success

• Must be licensed and active in good standing to practice law in the state of Indiana.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Self-directed team players with problem solving skills and a desire to find the right answer and think outside the box.
• Knowledge of, experience with, or ability to learn legal concepts, laws, trial rules, and, specifically, Indiana tax law.
• Experienced in conducting all aspects of legal research, including resources and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of, experience with, or ability to learn federal, state, and local law procedures, and precedents pertaining to DOR’s function and purpose.
• Ability and willingness to learn about programs, purpose, services, and structure of DOR.
• Well-versed in Microsoft products for office use (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).
• Adept at learning new software applications.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits Of Employment With The State Of Indiana

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .