Maine Revenue Services
Compliance Division - Collections Unit
Tax Examiner I - Anticipated Vacancy
Opening Date: March 26, 2025
Closing Date: April 9, 2025
Job Class Code: 0511
Grade: 18
Salary: $32.40 – $33.70*/Hourly (*includes 27.25% recruitment and retention stipend)
Position Number: 016303828
JOB DESCRIPTION:
This position is located within the Compliance Division, Collections Unit at 51 Commerce Drive, Augusta Maine. This is administrative work involving the examination, review, assessment, collection and procurement of delinquent returns for all taxes administered by Maine Revenue Services while operating within the boundaries of Title 36 and office policy.
This is entry-level administrative work learning the examination, review, assessment, and collection of all the taxes administered by Maine Revenue Services. The Tax Examiner I is a trainee position which, upon successful completion and demonstration of certain specified competencies after 12 months, results in advancement to Tax Examiner II, and upon successful completion and demonstration of certain specified competencies after 12 months as a Tax Examiner II, results in advancement to Tax Examiner III.
Responsibilities include responding to taxpayer questions or concerns, educating taxpayers on the Maine Tax Portal, actively working a collection caseload and selecting and implementing correct collections procedures to bring accounts into compliance, contacting and/or meeting with taxpayers and/or authorized representatives to discuss and explain various tax issues and repayment methods, preparing collections for enforced collection action when collection efforts are unsuccessful, working cooperatively with division personnel, requesting and attaining training to build and maintain skills necessary to perform the above tasks. Work is performed under limited supervision and requires the highest degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
Applicants must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. A successful applicant must be able to communicate and write clearly and effectively; have the ability to comprehend federal and state tax law; possess excellent math skills with knowledge of basic accounting principles; and have the ability to deal effectively with taxpayers and their representatives in confrontational situations. This position interacts with a wide variety of people, at all different levels tactfully, knowledgeably and professionally. One must have the ability to gather information from a variety of sources, thoroughly review and analyze such information, and make decisions regarding the correct course of action.
TYPICAL DUTIES
- Maintain familiarity with tax laws pertaining to collection of taxes and/or returns and familiarity of collection tools available to bring accounts into compliance. This knowledge is to be used to work assigned collections while maintaining the State’s best interest.
- Recall and actively work each collection in assigned inventory. Review collections and proceed with the next logical collection action.
- Verify assessments and demands are delivered and enforceable.
- Establish ability to pay and collect taxes through telephone contact, email or enforced collection measures; negotiates payment terms.
- Educate taxpayers to utilize the Maine Tax Portal.
- Discuss and explain tax issues, forms, laws, and policies with taxpayers and their representatives.
- Process incoming offer in compromise requests, to include making a recommendation and sending appropriate written responses to taxpayers.
- Process incoming reconsideration requests.
- Create charge off collection when all collection efforts have been exhausted.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of State tax laws, rules, and regulations.
- Knowledge of accounting procedures and systems.
- Knowledge of state and federal tax forms
- Knowledge of computerized taxation systems.
- Knowledge of tax collection procedures.
- Ability to negotiate tax payment plans.
- Ability to explain tax laws, rules, procedures, and forms.
- Ability to deal effectively with taxpayers.
- Ability to present and defend technical and administrative decisions.
- Ability to write clear, concise reports.
- Ability to examine tax returns/forms and detect irregularities and errors.
- Ability to apply business mathematics in defining and solving problems associated with tax
- enforcement and compliance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution -OR- four (4) years of equivalent post-secondary education, training, and/or professional level experience in accounting, tax collection, finance, or directly related computer science that demonstrates the ability to use independent judgment, initiative, and discretion to make decisions on complex matters.
Please note: All job candidates applying for Maine Revenue Services’ positions will be subject to a tax clearance check. In order to be selected for a position, all returns must be filed, and tax liabilities must be paid in full. The results of the tax clearance check will be documented as part of the selection process.
For all candidates not currently employed at Maine Revenue Services: State law requires that applicants seeking initial employment with Maine Revenue Services undergo a fingerprint-based state and criminal history record check.
Benefits of working for the State of Maine:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
- Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.