Posted September 9, 2026
Internal Revenue Agent (Excise Tax Specialist)
Compensation: $106,437 to $163,062 Annually
This Internal Revenue Agent (Excise Tax Specialist) position is with Internal Revenue Service (Department of the Treasury) in Mesa, AZ.
WHAT IS SBSE - Small Business Self Employed A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s): SB/SE, Examination Deputy Operations Specialty Examination, Estate & Gift/Excise Tax Exam REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS
Key duties:
• The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position. Assists in formulating excise tax examination plans. Screens returns for examination potential. Based on a listing of returns filed, selects returns that should be examined as part of the Examination Plan. Returns are selected based on dollar values, classes of tax (manufacturers, fuel distributors, etc.), geographical location, etc.] Reviews and evaluates returns which have been assigned by the Manager. Conducts necessary preliminary research and obtains requisite background information. Determines whether the return should be accepted as filed or whether an audit is required. Develops pre-audit analysis identifying broad areas of discussion and review. Prepares audit plan, schedules the work and revises or modifies the plan as may be appropriate during the audit. STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTIONS (SPD): PD90844 Visit the IRS SPD Library to access the position descriptions.
Qualifications:
Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS All GRADES (ALSO MEETS GRADE 5 QUALIFICATIONS): A Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a bachelor's or higher degree in accounting that included at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and an additional 6 semester hours in related subjects such as business law, economics, statistical/quantitative methods, computerized accounting or financial systems, financial management, or finance. OR A bachelor's or higher degree in a field other than accounting or a combination of education and experience equivalent to 4 years that included at least 30 semester hours in accounting or 24 semester hours in accounting and 6 semester hours in related subjects as described above. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Qualifying experience must have been in progressively responsible and diversified professional accounting or auditing work that required 1) knowledge of and skill in applying professional accounting principles, theory, and practices to analyze and interpret accounting books, records, or systems specifically to determine their effect on Federal tax liabilities and their adequacy for recording transactions affecting tax liabilities; 2) skill in interpreting and applying Federal tax law for individuals, business, and/or exempt organizations, partnerships, and corporations; 3) knowledge of business and trade practices to develop tax issues based on analysis and evaluation of overall business operations and financial condition; 4) knowledge of corporate financial transactions and financial management principles and practices; and 5) skill in interacting effectively with a broad range of individuals and in negotiating with specialists in accounting, legal, tax, and other similar business-related professions. In addition to the above your specialized experience for this position must include at least two (2) of the following: Experience with business practices of major firms, such as intercompany transactions who are subject to excise taxation; experience with various issues raised during an examination and to solve problems where guidelines are not clear or few precedents exist Experience meeting and dealing with corporate officers and competent tax practitioners well versed in excise tax law and regulations in order to present the Government's case in a convincing manner. Experience writing clear and comprehensive reports to serve as the basis for proposed adjustments in cases of considerable importance and complexity. AND You must also meet the following requirement(s): TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens" TIME IN GRADE (TIG): For positions above the GS-05, applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the grade you are applying for. For positions at the GS-05, you cannot advance to the GS-05 if you have held a GS-02 in the past 52 weeks. There is no TIG restriction for GS-02, 03 or 04 positions. For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.
View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.
Expires October 9, 2026