Advance Your Legal Career with the IRS: Estate and Gift Tax Specialist

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for tax law and compliance? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) division as a Legal Administrative Specialist. This role sits at the intersection of legal analysis and financial oversight, offering a chance to make a tangible impact on the nation's economic integrity.

Job Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

Perform independent examinations of complex estate and gift tax returns.
Conduct deep-dive legal research into federal, state, and foreign tax laws.
Investigate underlying financial transactions and asset valuations.
Author technical memoranda and legal opinions to support compliance decisions.

Comparison Table: GS-11 vs GS-12

Feature	GS-11	GS-12
Experience Requirement	1 year at GS-09 level	1 year at GS-11 level
Focus	Learning, skill development, and case analysis	Advanced adjudication, complex federal law application
Complexity	Standardized complex cases	Highly unusual, precedent-free matters

Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate deep knowledge of legal practices and federal tax codes. You must hold U.S. citizenship, pass a thorough background check, and be in compliance with all tax filing obligations. Your resume must be strictly formatted to two pages.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range starting at $74,678 up to $145,468 annually. Beyond base pay, employees enjoy federal health, retirement (TSP), and paid time-off benefits.

Application Tips

Quantify your experience: Use specific dates and hours per week.
Follow formatting: Sans-serif font, 10pt minimum, 0.5-inch margins.
Complete assessments: Do not wait until the last minute to start the USA Hire assessment.

This role is an ideal pathway for professionals who value legal research, precision, and national service. Apply by July 9, 2026, to secure your opportunity.

Why This Legal Administrative Specialist (Estate And Gift Tax) - Estate Tax Legal Specialist Job Matters

Advance your legal career at the heart of the U.S. financial system by ensuring tax compliance and integrity at the IRS.

Legal Administrative Specialist (Estate And Gift Tax) - Estate Tax Legal Specialist Job Overview

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is seeking highly skilled professionals to join the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) division as Legal Administrative Specialists (Estate and Gift Tax). This role is critical in conducting complex independent examinations of estate and gift tax returns, performing extensive legal research, and ensuring taxpayer compliance with federal laws. You will interpret intricate tax codes, evaluate high-value assets, and provide technical guidance on complex legal matters.

Requirements for Legal Administrative Specialist (Estate And Gift Tax) - Estate Tax Legal Specialist

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Must be 18 years of age or older (or 16 with specific educational documentation).
Must be registered with the Selective Service System (if male born after Dec 31, 1959).
Must hold a valid government-issued charge card for official travel.
Must successfully pass a background investigation, fingerprint check, and continuous vetting process.
Must provide two forms of identification for I-9 verification.
Must be in good standing regarding federal tax obligations (subject to tax record verification).
Resume must not exceed two pages and must include specific MM/DD/YYYY dates and hours worked per week.

Preferred Qualifications for Legal Administrative Specialist (Estate And Gift Tax) - Estate Tax Legal Specialist

Expertise in Federal Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer tax laws.
Proven ability to research and interpret complex judicial decisions, precedents, and federal/state tax regulations.
Experience in identifying and resolving non-routine issues in voluminous case files.
Strong analytical skills regarding real estate valuation, business interests, and financial assets.
Advanced education in Law (J.D. or LL.M) from an accredited institution.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay adjustments.
✓Comprehensive federal benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
✓Defined benefit retirement plan and Thrift Savings Plan (401k-style).
✓Flexible work schedules and telework eligibility.
✓Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
✓Paid federal holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

💡 How to Apply Legal Administrative Specialist (Estate And Gift Tax) - Estate Tax Legal Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Legal Administrative Specialist (Estate And Gift Tax) - Estate Tax Legal Specialist Job

Review the full announcement and required documentation thoroughly.
Prepare a federal-style resume limited to two pages adhering to all formatting guidelines.
Click 'Apply Online' to be redirected to the USA Staffing portal.
Complete the online questionnaire and required assessments (e.g., USA Hire Assessments).
Upload all necessary supporting documents (transcripts, SF-50 if applicable, DD-214 for veterans).
Submit your complete application package by the closing date of July 9, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume includes specific start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY) and hours worked per week for every position.
Do not use embedded links or photographs in your resume.
Check your USAJOBS account regularly for status updates and notifications.
Ensure your email is not blocking external communications to avoid missing critical alerts.
Prepare for a potential 3-hour assessment window for USA Hire requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a lawyer to apply for this position?

While legal experience and knowledge are required, the position primarily focuses on tax administration and compliance. Specific education in law can help meet qualification requirements, but the core requirement is specialized experience in legal environments or tax research.

Can I work remotely?

The position is telework-eligible, but it is not a fully remote position. You will be assigned to a specific office location.

What happens if my resume is longer than two pages?

Applications with resumes exceeding the two-page limit will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Job from Internal Revenue Service

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS represent the backbone of the nation's financial system. With over 100,000 employees, the agency is committed to applying tax law with fairness and integrity. Working here means contributing to the collection of over $2 trillion in annual revenue, providing a stable and challenging career environment.