Tax Review Officer; TPS ; Legal

This opportunity is only open to Department of Revenue Employees.

The Administrative Review and Hearings Division resolves taxpayer disputes of department actions. These actions include the revocation or denial of a reseller permit, the revocation of a business license, the issuance of a tax assessment, the denial of a tax refund, and unclaimed property disputes.

• No billable hours! We work predictable schedules over a true 40-hour work week. We also offer plenty of paid leave so you can enjoy your life outside of work.
• Reasonable caseloads. Our Tax Review Officers handle 30-40 cases at any one time, with turnaround times between three and twelve months.
• Remote work. We work in a hybrid setting where employees are allowed to work from home all but 1-2 days per month. Our dedicated IT staff provides all the necessary equipment.
• Supportive culture. Whether you are new to tax or have a tax LLM, you’ll receive training and guidance from managers who want to help you succeed and grow. Senior Tax Review Officers generously share information and knowledge in a non-competitive work environment. There are opportunities to network with employees from other policy divisions, cross-training rotations, and regular salary increases. We also offer in-house CLE and pay your bar dues.

As a Tax Review Officer (Tax Policy Specialist
3), you will manage an active caseload of tax disputes, hear and resolve taxpayers' petitions for review of the department's actions, and respond to taxpayers' petitions in writing. Cases cover a variety of complex and interesting tax laws that provide you with opportunities to research and educate taxpayers on how the law is applied. You will also engage in tax policy development to achieve consistency and fairness in tax administration.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting informal administrative reviews of petitions for correction of tax assessments, refund denials, and adverse interpretive rulings.
• Presiding over mainstream, executive, and small claims hearings and drafting determinations.
• Recommending, referring, or negotiating the settlement of some cases.
• Analyzing, reviewing, and providing technical legal and policy recommendations regarding proposed guidance the department is considering.
• Representing the department in informal excise tax appeals before the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals, a separate state agency.

The incumbent must possess a combination of the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and progressive experience that demonstrates readiness to successfully perform the duties and tasks of this position:

Admission to practice law in Washington or before the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, or a federally recognized tribe.

Proven ability to write clear, concise, and legally sound documents using IRAC/CRAC/CREAC writing formats, and explain complex legal or technical concepts in accessible terms to varied audiences, developed through experience providing briefings, pleadings, or memoranda in professional settings.

Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and constructively with others, shown by experience assertively defending positions with civility and a spirit of collaboration.

Proven ability to independently produce high-quality work through progressive experience managing tasks and deadlines effectively, balancing accuracy and timeliness under competing priorities, and maintaining long‑term focus by proactively identifying next steps and adjusting actions as needs evolve.

Demonstrated ability to maintain impartiality and ensure parties are fully heard, supported by…