Excise Tax Examiner - Estate Tax

The Department of Revenue's Audit Division is excited to announce an opportunity for an Excise Tax Examiner 3 position in the Estate Tax unit. The Estate Tax team is a small unit of tax professionals who support one another, value continuous improvement, and strive to enhance usability and customer service. All receipts collected through Washington's Estate Tax program are deposited in the Education Legacy Trust Account to support the state's common schools and expand student access to higher education.

The senior level position is responsible for performing and resolving complex financial examinations of Washington estate tax returns, providing training to attorneys, creating or updating program procedures, and performing initial collection activities.

• Review federal estate tax returns, income tax returns, financial statements, real estate appraisals, business appraisals, securities valuations, bank statements, life insurance statements, federal gift tax returns, certified appraisals for tangible personal property, actuarial calculations, expense statements, mortgage statements, federal income tax returns, foreign asset statements, and other state’s estate tax returns to ensure accurate reporting.
• Interpret trusts, wills, articles of incorporation, court determinations, DISCLAIMERS, probate documentation, contracts, real estate deeds, and Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) agreements to understand how an estate should be administered and taxable.
• Conduct research to ensure all assets were properly reported on the return.
• Utilize knowledge about asset valuations to ensure assets are valued correctly on the estate tax return.
• Conduct research on complex issues requiring in-depth knowledge of Chapter 11 of the Internal Revenue Code, Washington estate tax laws, rules and policies, and court decisions.
• Monitor critical tax reporting systems to ensure account integrity and data accuracy.
• Prepare letters and correspondence to taxpayers or representatives.
• Develop and/or provide training and industry specific education to the Division and external customers to ensure correct and consistent reporting.
• Represent the division or section in agency or divisional committees, special projects, system enhancement initiatives or trainings.
• Perform collection activities.

Demonstrated ability to perform complex financial examinations and asset valuation analysis, gained through progressive experience reviewing financial statements, tax returns, appraisals, and other estate-related documentation.

Proven ability to research, interpret, and apply the Internal Revenue Code and Washington tax laws, supported by experience resolving complex taxability questions and analyzing court determinations or legal documents.

Progressive experience preparing clear, concise, and technically accurate written communications such as audit findings, adjustment explanations, formal responses, and taxpayer correspondence, using appropriate grammar, structure, and formatting.

Demonstrated skill in analyzing trusts, wills, probate documents, agreements, corporate structures, contracts, and similar records to determine correct reporting and tax implications.

Demonstrated ability to provide high-level technical consultation to internal and external stakeholders, including explaining complex tax issues in lay terms and participating in conferences with taxpayer representatives or attorneys.

Proven ability to independently make sound decisions using judgment and analytical reasoning, especially in situations that involve case‑by‑case determinations, incomplete data, or competing interpretations of law or policy.

Demonstrated ability to identify system, process, or internal control weaknesses and communicate findings to management, supported by experience using Lean or similar process‑improvement principles.

Progressive experience organizing and managing multiple assignments simultaneously in an environment with changing work priorities, strict deadlines, and extended periods of computer‑based work.

Proven ability to develop and deliver training or educational materials for internal staff or external stakeholders,…