07/15/1995 03801

REALTY TRANSFER TAX SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is specialized tax discovery work associated with Realty Transfer Tax including complex examination, collection and investigation to identify taxpayers suspected of non-compliance or evasion of Realty Transfer Tax and to ensure compliance with the Realty Transfer Tax Act in the Department of Revenue.

An employee in this class is responsible for reviewing and analyzing deeds, leases, wills, trusts, statements of value, declarations of acquisition, corporation tax reports, appraisal reports, purchase agreements and other associated documents to determine Realty Transfer Tax liability. Work includes reviewing documents related to realty transfer; examining sales agreements, construction contracts, mortgage documents, leases, deeds and other public and private business records. Work involves conducting investigations to determine if the sale and transfer of property was properly recorded and if the proper amount of tax was paid; analyzing complex Realty Transfer Tax transactions; reviewing documents related to real estate transfers pursuant to corporate mergers and consolidations, transfers between corporate officers, stockholders or business partners and between principals and agents; interpreting Realty Transfer Tax laws, regulations, court decisions, appeal board decisions and Board of Finance and Revenue decisions and explaining these decisions to taxpayers or their representatives; and reviewing Realty Transfer Tax cases received from county assessors, Recorders of Deeds and other sources and requesting additional documents for further investigation and review. Work also involves corresponding with taxpayers, attorneys, real estate brokers, developers, local tax officials, county assessors and Recorders of Deeds regarding technical tax questions; discussing the application of Realty Transfer Tax laws, rules, and regulations with attorneys, accountants, taxpayers, Recorders of Deeds, county tax assessors and real estate brokers to resolve realty tax issues; issuing notices of assessment; administering the collection and payment activities for Realty Transfer Tax owed the Commonwealth; preparing and tracking Deferred Payment Plans; recommending compromises and write-offs when further collection activity is not cost effective; and preparing requests for legal opinions and recommendations. Work is performed with considerable independence and is subject to general review from a manager for adherence to applicable laws and departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews and analyzes Realty Transfer Tax transactions, deeds, leases, statements of value, wills, trusts, declarations of acquisition, corporation tax reports, appraisal reports, purchase agreements and other real estate related documents to determine if taxes were properly reported and remitted and if a tax liability exists.

Examines sales agreements, construction contracts, mortgage documents, leases, deeds and other public and private business records to detect improper exclusion of contracted-for improvements as taxable consideration for property value.

Reviews documents related to real estate transfers pursuant to corporate mergers and consolidation, transfers between corporate officers, stockholders or business partners and between principals and agents; and conveyances from non-profit industrial development agencies to grantees for prescribed industrial or commercial use for tax exemption.

Reviews Realty Transfer Tax cases received from county assessors, Recorders of Deeds and other sources and requests additional documents for further investigation and review. Researches, reviews and retrieves Realty Transfer records located at county courthouses or realty developers locations as necessary.

Corresponds with attorneys, accountants, taxpayers, Recorders of Deeds, county tax assessors and real estate brokers to request missing or additional information to make a tax liability determination.

Discusses the application of Realty Transfer Tax laws, rules, and regulations with attorneys, accountants, taxpayers, Recorders of Deeds, county tax assessors and real estate brokers to resolve realty tax issues.

Answers technical inquires from attorneys, accountants, taxpayers, Recorders of Deeds orally or in written communications concerning Realty Transfer Tax.

Prepares Deferred Payment Plans for Realty Transfer Tax and recommends compromises and write-offs with delinquent taxpayers.

Reviews requests for refunds, determines if Realty Transfer Tax was overpaid, calculates refund amount and forwards to manager for approval.

Compiles all necessary technical data and prepares requests for legal interpretation from the Legal Bureau on Realty Transfer Tax matters.

Participates in meetings with corporation officials, attorneys, accountants and taxpayers to resolve realty transfer tax cases.

Determines tax liability and computes penalty and interest.

Prepares determination notices on Realty Transfer Tax cases.

Monitors Deferred Payment Plans to ensure taxpayers are making required payments.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of tax laws, rules, regulations and policies.

Knowledge of tax collection procedures.

Ability to learn Realty Transfer Tax laws, rules, regulations and precedent cases.

Ability to learn real estate practices and procedures.

Ability to determine tax liabilities according to Realty Transfer Tax laws, rules and regulations.

Ability to read and interpret provisions of Realty Transfer Tax law, court decisions, legal rulings and regulations.

Ability to analyze documents such as deeds, statements of value, declaration of acquisition, appraisal reports and corporation tax reports.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, accountants, taxpayers, county tax assessors, Recorders of Deeds and associates.

Ability to utilize a CRT terminal.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience performing complex work in the review and examination of tax documents, applying the tax laws, rules and regulations and making tax liability decisions.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.