CHIEF, OFFICE OF TAX ANALYSIS

Definition

Under general direction of a director in the Department of the Treasury, directs the work programs and staff performing tax analysis; conducts research in the broad field of taxation and with specific emphasis on New Jersey tax problems, procedures, and policies; prepares estimates of tax revenue and the total effect of proposed new tax measures; prepares statistical analyses; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Plans, organizes, and conducts detailed research in the broad field of taxation with emphasis on tax problems of New Jersey at both the state and local levels; compiles factual data on tax matters and prepares such information in useable form; prepares statistical analyses and reports for use by the Director, Division of Taxation, the State Treasurer, the Legislature, the Governor, and others.
• Prepares statistical estimates of anticipated revenues from particular taxes, of the impact on specific groups of taxpayers, of probable taxpayer compliance, and of the cost of collection.
• Plans, organizes, and conducts research into existing and new sources of revenue.
• Reviews pending and existing legislation and develops projections of their impact on revenue.
• Assists in planning division procedures, organizational changes, and regulations.
• Attends meetings of New Jersey state and local tax study and tax policy groups, local tax policy committees, and other groups; provides information concerning the history and effect of present and proposed tax measures, the broad field of government taxation and specific data concerning tax problems, procedures, revenue, and costs in New York, Pennsylvania, and other states having tax problems similar to those of New Jersey, and local tax law and procedures.
• Provides advice, data and information on taxation matters.
• Establishes and directs programs and systems for the collection, compilation, and interpretation of statistical and other taxation data.
• Prepares analyses and studies of specific tax problems.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with other internal units, other state departments, and with varied organizations and groups interested in taxation and government.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Prepares correspondence.
• Develops recommendations for the Legislature based on extensive reviews by the Tax Policy Committee; participates as a Committee member.
• Supervises a section that serves as the central point for gathering and disseminating study materials relevant to economics and taxation.
• Implements and maintains data processing programs within all local tax districts to ensure the availability of local property tax data.
• Acts as a regular member of an interdepartmental coordinating committee that defines and catalogues existing and new statistical material available throughout state government.
• Conducts detailed studies of national and state employment, population trends, economic conditions, and other factors to determine their implications for future tax revenue.
• Provides consultation and advise on tax matters; responds to inquiries from county tax boards, members of local governing bodies, local tax assessors, tax administrators of other states, members of the Legislature, and the Governor.
• Drafts extensive technical correspondence on tax matters.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports of tax matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Economics or Public Policy.

Experience

Five (5) years of comprehensive technical research and analysis experience (for example, collecting and preparing data for analysis, using statistical/forecasting software packages, and drafting technical reports of results or policy conclusions) in the fields of taxation, economics, public policy, or a closely related field, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of research methods, procedures, and techniques and their application to state tax research and statistical reporting.
• Knowledge of statistical procedures, methods, and devices used to collect, analyze, and interpret data and their adaptation to extensive tax research and analysis.
• Knowledge of New Jersey tax revenue problems, both state and local.
• Knowledge of literature and trends concerning taxation, government finance, and management analysis.
• Ability to understand and apply NJ statutes pertaining to state taxes including: Motor Fuel, Cigarettes, Beverage, Inheritance, Local Property, Railroad, Public Utility, Sales Tax, Corporation, Emergency, Transportation, and Outdoor Advertising taxes.
• Ability to understand and apply all laws and fiscal acts of municipalities and counties in New Jersey.
• Ability to conduct research on the tax statutes and policies of other state jurisdictions.
• Ability to understand New Jersey tax revenue problems, both state and local.
• Ability to plan, organizes, and supervises work involved in conducting detailed studies and surveys of tax matters.
• Ability to assume responsibility for the conduct of special tax research programs, and to provide assignments and instructions to staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with division staff and representatives of other public and private agencies.
• Ability to make accurate estimates of economic and other conditions affecting taxation and government finance at state and local levels.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret basic law, regulations, and policies pertaining to taxation and government finance at state and local levels, and apply these in research studies and analyses of general and specific tax problems.
• Ability to locate, reviews, and comprehends tax statutes and other documents pertaining to revenue and government finances.
• Ability to conduct and supervise tax studies and statistical research into the varied problems of taxation, to present factual data and to prepare research reports.
• Ability to provide technical advice and assistance on tax matters to the Director, the Legislature, the Governor, county tax boards, and local governing bodies.
• Ability to draft legislation on tax matters.
• Ability to draft statements of tax policy.
• Ability to prepare estimates of revenue anticipated from new and existing taxes, and to project taxpayer compliance and/or resistance to specific tax proposals.
• Ability to utilize electronic, statistical, or accounting resources in tax research and statistical work.
• Ability to confer with and provide technical advice and assistance on local property tax matters to tax study groups, local tax policy committees, and others.
• Ability to draft extensive correspondence.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical and other reports of tax problems, policy, and procedures containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to direct the establishment of records and files.
• Ability to utilize personal computers and spreadsheet or statistical software.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: 35/M35 - MCK 7/17/99

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

A general Master's degree supplemented by a minimum of twelve (12) graduate semester hour credits in the following subjects may be substituted for the specific degree requirements: Economics and/or Policy Analysis - six (6) semester hour credits; Quantitative Analysis - six (6) semester hour credits.

Experience in auditing, accounting, tax accounting, tax preparation, or tax enforcement cannot be substituted for tax research experience.