Location: Augusta,Maine,United States
Maine Revenue Services
Criminal Investigations Unit
Revenue Agent
Opening Date: December 19, 2024
Closing Date: January 7, 2025
Job Class Code: 0504
Grade: 20
Salary: $33.32 – $34.66/Hourly *Includes a 20% recruitment and retention stipend
Position Number: 016304022
Job Description
A Revenue Agent is a professional-level field investigator position located within Maine Revenue Services in the Department of Administrative & Financial Services. This is an 18-month trainee classification (with a one-year probation period) which, upon successful completion and demonstration of certain specified competencies, results in advancement to Senior Revenue Agent.Some in-state and out-of-state overnight travel is required.
An employee in this classification initially works under close supervision as a part of the Criminal Investigations Unit and then independently on selected work assignments.This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to deal tactfully with taxpayers and other professionals, both public and private.The nature of the work requires the employee to exercise sound independent judgment and logical decision-making in the application of statutes, rules, policies, written guidance, and technical criteria to the facts found during an investigation.
REPRESENTATIVE TASKS
- Utilizes special accounting and auditing abilities to forensically analyze transactions in order to identify unreported taxes and prove criminal intent
- Knowledgeable and experienced with different software programs, such as Excel and QuickBooks, in order to analyze financial information, assist with the identification of unreported taxes, and prove criminal intent
- Determines proper tax liabilities for state taxes in order to establish taxpayer compliance with state tax laws and regulations
- Demonstrates a thorough understanding of federal and state tax laws and private business practices in order to develop methods and procedures to uncover unreported income and taxes
- Interviews witnesses with the ability to adjust to varying circumstances in order to obtain the information needed to prove that criminal tax violations have occurred
- Follows procedures for gathering and protecting evidence in order to ensure confidential information is handled properly
- Prepares, and consolidates reports in order to summarize the evidence required to prove criminal violations of Maine tax laws and complete examinations of individuals, businesses and corporations
- Represents the State in court proceedings, including failure to file violations, testifies as a witness for the State in criminal tax matters (including Grand Jury), and represents the State at arraignment proceedings as requested by the Attorney General’s Office in order to facilitate successful prosecution of criminal tax violations
- Communicates effectively with a wide variety of individuals, including revenue agents, attorneys, CPAs, witnesses, defendants, and the Attorney General’s Office in order to obtain the information needed to complete criminal tax investigations
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Ability to conduct investigations of alleged or suspected violations of the State of Maine tax laws
- Knowledge of the principles and procedures used in evaluating accounting systems and auditing procedures associated with tax examination work and utilizes special accounting and auditing abilities to forensically analyze transactions
- Ability to use a laptop or personal computer and applicable computer programs, such as Excel and QuickBooks
- Understanding of state and federal tax laws, codes, regulations, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and business principles and practices used in the private sector and their relationship to taxation; and the ability to develop methods and procedures to uncover unreported income and taxes
- Ability to interpret and explain tax laws, rules and regulations
- Ability to Interview witnesses and defendants and adjust the approach to varying circumstances
- Ability to gather and protect evidence and follow procedures to ensure the proper handling of confidential information
- Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports of investigation work, communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Understanding of the judicial processes used in tax enforcement proceedings, testifies as a witness for the State in criminal tax matters (including Grand Jury proceedings), and represents the State at arraignment proceedings as requested by the Attorney General’s Office
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals, including revenue agents, attorneys, CPAs, witnesses, defendants, managers and the Attorney General’s Office
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Post-secondary education and/or training in business administration, accounting, mathematics, economics, information technology, finance, property appraisal, auditing, or taxes with experience demonstrating the ability to use independent judgment, initiative, and discretion to make decisions on complex matters.
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 costsfor 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.
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