Definition
Develops, interprets, and advises executive management on, highly complex and sensitive tax policies and issues having industry-wide, statewide and national significance.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Incumbents at this level serve as senior policy analysts in a variety of tax policy disciplines.
- Positions analyze, review, and draft proposed taxation legislation for the agency, other agencies, taxpayers and legislators. They draft WAC revenue rules and conduct public hearings regarding proposed new rules and rule changes. They provide technical legal advice on taxation issues to agency management, staff and the taxpaying public; OR
- Positions conduct highly complex studies upon which they base recommendations concerning the characteristics, design, implementation and administration of various tax policies. They also prepare and present testimony to legislative committees and workgroups, and advise legislators and legislative staff regarding the impacts of various tax policy options; OR
- Positions attend executive level meetings and conduct in-depth legal and policy research and analysis to consult and advise executive management on precedent-setting decisions for complex and emerging tax issues. They draft complex Washington Administrative Code and Interpretive Policy Statements on the most sensitive tax issues, conducting all public meetings and hearings required by the Administrative Procedure Act through adoption of the rule or statement; OR
- Positions preside over highly complex administrative taxpayer appeals. Decisions often set precedent and require extensive research and interpretation of tax law and tax policy. Incumbents argue informal cases on the agency's behalf before the Board of Tax Appeals.
Typical Work
Drafts rules to be adopted as part of the Washington Administrative Code for all revenue acts administered by the agency;
Provides formal and informal technical legal and policy advice to agency management, staff, and the taxpaying public;
Conducts public hearings and receives testimony regarding proposed rule changes;
Develops and recommends policy options and evaluates existing policies at the request of the Governor, legislators and executive branch agencies by means of statistical, survey, mathematical, and other scientific methods of analysis; advises on advantages and disadvantages of existing and proposed policies;
Conceives, designs and implements tax incidence, econometric, forecasting, and simulation models;
Directs all aspects of economic, tax impact and/or operations research studies having industry-wide and statewide significance; conceives, plans, and organizes analysis including measurement, modeling, estimation, forecasting of trends, and determining impacts and policy implications;
Prepares and presents testimony to legislative committees and workgroups;
Presides over highly complex administrative taxpayer appeal hearings;
Renders written decisions and determinations for highly complex taxpayer appeals;
Provides agency management with analyses of complex tax law, policy questions, and economic impact issues;
Represents the agency in informal hearings before the Board of Tax Appeals;
Performs other work as required.
Legal Requirement(s)
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
For Research positions:
A Bachelor's degree in economics, public finance or closely allied field
AND
Five years of professional experience in economic analysis or tax program/policy analysis. A Master's degree or equivalent in a Ph.D. program in economics, public finance or closely allied field will substitute for two years of experience. A Ph.D. degree in economics, public finance or closely allied field will substitute for three years of experience.
For Legislation and Policy, Interpretations and Technical Advice:
Admission to practice law in the State of Washington; or graduation from an accredited school of law and current admission to practice before the highest court of a state
AND
One year of experience as a Tax Policy Specialist 2.
OR
Three years of experience as hearing examiner in a governmental agency, assistant attorney general, or practice as an attorney. An LL.M or Master’s degree in taxation or closely allied field will substitute for one year of experience.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in public finance, business, accounting, public administration, or closely allied field
AND
Six years of professional experience in economic or tax program/policy analysis, tax administration, tax auditing, tax collection, or experience as a hearing examiner in a governmental agency. At least three years must be in tax program/policy analysis. A Master’s degree in taxation or closely allied field will substitute for one year of experience.
For Legal positions:
Admission to practice law in the State of Washington; or graduation from an accredited school of law and current admission to practice before the highest court of a state
AND
One year of experience as a Tax Policy Specialist 2.
OR
Three years of experience as hearings examiner in a governmental agency, assistant attorney general, or practice as an attorney. An LL.M or Master's degree in taxation or closely allied field will substitute for one year of experience.
Class Specification History
New class: 7-15-94
Revised new class code: (formerly 15430) effective July 1, 2007.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, and desirable qualifications, adopted June 13, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
