Closing Date: 28th May, 2026
Description:
Summary:With nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. After pausing hiring in 2025, we now seek new law graduates and experienced attorneys to join us.
Click to learn more:
IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site (https://www.jobs.irs.gov/counsel)
Meet Our People (https://www.jobs.irs.gov/resources/meet-our-attorneys)
Learn about our Legal Divisions (https://www.jobs.irs.gov/resources/legal-divisions)
Duties:
Meet Our People (https://www.jobs.irs.gov/resources/meet-our-attorneys)
Learn about our Legal Divisions (https://www.jobs.irs.gov/resources/legal-divisions)
Duties:
As a General Attorney (Tax) in Income Tax and Accounting, you will:
This is not an all-inclusive list. If selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform the duties of the position and will receive training to help you grow in the position.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.
To qualify for this position of General Attorney (Tax), you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement:
Basic Requirements for General Attorney (Tax):
GS-12 Experience Requirements:
1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise
- Analyze Internal Revenue laws and other Federal laws relating to issues under the jurisdiction of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel or Associate Chief Counsel. Identifies regulatory and tax administration issues raised by those laws and develop and draft Treasury regulations interpreting or implementing those laws.
- Consider inquiries from members of Congress, the Service or Treasury officials, or the public concerning Internal Revenue laws relating to matters under the jurisdiction of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel or Associate Chief Counsel,
- and, as appropriate, prepares replies thereto.
- Respond to requests for legal opinions on the application or interpretation of the Internal Revenue laws, other Federal laws and state laws relating to the matters under the jurisdiction of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel or Associate Chief
- Counsel.
- Make recommendations regarding litigation; review briefs and other litigation-related documents.
- Respond to requests for legal opinions on the application or interpretation of the Internal Revenue laws, other Federal laws and state laws.
- Respond to technical inquiries from Field attorneys. Research the law and policy statements of the Service and prepare oral or written replies.
- Coordinate, formally or informally, proposed litigation positions with other Chief Counsel offices and the client.
- Prepare responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and/or discovery requests relating to cases in litigation. Assist the Department of Justice with discovery and trial preparation in District Court and the Court of Federal Claims upon request and as assigned.
- Draft published guidance, provide advice to field offices on technical issues and litigation matters, and issue rulings and information letters to taxpayers. The Division has jurisdiction over several major tax areas: recognition and timing of income; deductions and credits for individuals and corporations; depreciation and costing; sales and exchanges; capital gains and losses; accounting methods and periods; installment sales; long-term contracts; inventories; and alternative minimum tax.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- Refer to "Additional Information"
- Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Qualifications:
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.
To qualify for this position of General Attorney (Tax), you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement:
Basic Requirements for General Attorney (Tax):
- Possess at least the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; AND
- Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a State, U.S. Commonwealth, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise
GS-13 Experience Requirements:
GS-14 Experience Requirements:
Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as experience analyzing, researching, or providing legal advice or litigation services on general income tax issues and/or accounting issues, such as recognition and timing of income and deductions, sales and exchanges, capital gains and losses, accounting methods and periods, installment sales, long term contracts, and/or inventories. At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level of the position in the federal service.
Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience.
Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of the position (tax, GLS-related, or P&A- FOIA/Disclosure related field) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
Education:
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. (https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home)
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) (https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/)
Additional Information:
Conditions of Employment Continued:
- 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus
- 1 year of professional legal tax experience
- 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus
- 2 years of professional legal tax experience
Note: Only experience gained after Bar Admission may be credited as Professional Legal Experience.
Education Substitution: An LL.M. degree in the field of the position (tax, GLS-related, or P&A- FOIA/Disclosure related field) may be substituted for the one year of the general legal experience listed above.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
Education:
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. (https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home)
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) (https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/)
Additional Information:
- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
- Relocation expenses are not authorized.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Subject to a 1-year trial period.
- All newly appointed employees to the excepted service are subject to a trial period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the trial period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the trial period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding.
- Subject to a Tenure Commitment of up to 3 years.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf) to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System (https://www.sss.gov/verify/) or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verifica
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