Tax Compliance Officer III

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

FMLI (Family Leave)

Job summary

The Department of Taxes in Montpelier, Vermont, seeks a Tax Compliance Officer III to pursue delinquent accounts, negotiate payment plans, and guide taxpayers toward full compliance. The role requires experience in debt collection or tax preparation and involves enforcement actions when needed, including liens or garnishments.

The position offers a strong benefits package and a clear career ladder. Candidates must pass background checks and fingerprinting; the job is open to state employees and

Qualifications

• Three+ years in debt collection, claims adjustment, or financial responsibility.
• Four+ years in tax preparation or relatable customer service experience.

Responsibilities

• Pursue delinquent tax accounts via phone, written correspondence, and in-person site visits.
• Negotiate, establish, and monitor formal payment agreements; evaluate settlement options; and waive or apply penalties when appropriate.
• Provide guidance to taxpayers regarding filing requirements, payment obligations, and steps to achieve compliance.
• Determine personal liability and initiate enforcement actions, including liens, levies, garnishments, and offsets.
• Educate taxpayers and promote voluntary compliance to resolve delinquent matters promptly.

Skills

Debt collection

Negotiation

Customer service

Education

Tax preparation or customer service experience

Job description

Overview

Looking for a career with purpose on a collaborative team? At the Department of Taxes, we invest in your growth and challenge you to solve meaningful problems that make a difference. If you are curious, motivated by public service, and enjoy helping people navigate complex challenges, we want to hear from you!

Overview

Looking for a career with purpose on a collaborative team? At the Department of Taxes, we invest in your growth and challenge you to solve meaningful problems that make a difference. If you are curious, motivated by public service, and enjoy helping people navigate complex challenges, we want to hear from you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Pursue delinquent tax accounts through telephone, written correspondence, and, when necessary, in-person site visits.
• Negotiate, establish, and monitor formal payment agreements; evaluate settlement options; and, when authorized, consider or waive applicable penalties.
• Provide guidance to taxpayers regarding filing requirements, payment obligations, and the steps needed to achieve and maintain full tax compliance.
• Determine personal liability when applicable, and initiate appropriate enforcement actions, including bank and wage garnishments, property liens, levies, offsets, and other authorized legal remedies.
• Provide taxpayer education and outreach to encourage voluntary compliance, address account discrepancies, and support the timely resolution of delinquent tax matters.

The Ideal Candidate

• Is curious, collaborative, and self-motivated, with a growth mindset and the ability to adapt and thrive in a changing environment.
• Thinks holistically and can "connect the dots" by evaluating the full picture to identify practical solutions that help taxpayers achieve and maintain compliance.
• Brings experience in a government tax environment, tax administration, collections, or compliance.

This Montpelier-based position offers professional development opportunities and a solid career ladder. Vermont State offers affordable and broad medical, leave, and retirement benefits. For additional information about employee satisfaction and benefits, please visit our website.

The hourly salary rate for this position ranges from $26.50 to $41.37 and State of Vermont benefits are very competitive. The starting salary for this position may be negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. The annual salary for this position ranges from approximately $55,120 to $86,049. The annual salary range reflects the minimum and maximum salary potential in the assigned pay grade. The annual salary is calculated based on 2080 hours of annual compensation and does not include authorized overtime or other compensation. It also does not include any time taken off payroll.

About The Compliance Division

The Compliance Division is responsible for promoting and ensuring Vermont taxpayer compliance, with a focus on early intervention, education, outreach, and fairness. We value service, integrity, and employee growth, as we aim to support Vermont communities effectively and efficiently. Our team includes auditors, tax analysts, tax collection agents, and support staff.

Background Checks

This position will primarily support the Department of Taxes. Candidates must agree to be fingerprinted and pass a background check to be eligible for this position, which will involve access to sensitive federal tax information. Background checks are required by the Internal Revenue Service and are authorized under Vermont law. 3 V.S.A.

• 241. In accordance with VDT Standard Operating Procedure 2018-01, Background Investigations, Vermont and national criminal record checks will be conducted on all candidates. Candidates will have the right to withdraw their application before fingerprinting or a background check is conducted. We value diverse teams and are committed to creating a community of inclusions.

Who May Apply

This position, Tax Compliance Officer III (Job Requisition #55768), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Please Note: This position is being recruited at multiple levels.

Level I: 55742

Level II: 55767

Level III: 55768

Environmental Factors

Duties are performed primarily in a standard office setting. Workload is consistently heavy with constant need for prompt and accurate decision making. Duties involve sensitive, sometimes controversial subject which may lead to emotional and adversarial situations. Incumbents must be able to function independently in a confrontational, even hostile environment, must be able to prioritize their own workload and multi-task effectively. Duties are highly confidential in nature. Occasional travel may require use of state vehicle or private means of transportation.

Minimum Qualifications

Three (3) years or more of experience in collection of debts, adjustment of claims, determination of financial responsibility, handling accounts receivable, negotiating, or investigation of financial background.

OR

Four (4) years of more of experience in tax preparation or relatable customer service experience.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.