Taxpayer Advocate Grad Intern

NOTE: Must be enrolled in law/graduate school for the Fall term 2025.

NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service.

The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate (OTA) is an independent office within the Department of Finance which assists customers who have been unable to resolve their tax issues through normal Department of Finance channels. In addition, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate makes systemic recommendations to improve DOF policies and procedures. OTA’s base matters consist of NYC property, business, and certain excise tax issues.

The Office provides both case advocacy and systemic problem resolution on cases involving NYC business and excise taxes and property taxes. The student would work under the supervision of either the Taxpayer Advocate or the Attorney Advisor, both of whom are attorneys.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

– Assisting Case Advocate on researching and investigating facts in cases
– Researching policy implicated by systematic problems
– Assisting the Taxpayer Advocate in her annual report of the 10 most serious problems facing NYC taxpayers
– Attending task force or working group meetings on issue or projects that the Taxpayer Advocate is involved in
– Attend outreach events with tax professionals and NYC taxpayers

Additional Information:
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

The student will be asked to sign a Tax Secrecy agreement and should understand the rules that prevent nondisclosure of Department of Finance information.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in an accredited college, university or law school.

Preferred Skills

– Excellent writing and legal research skills – Proficient with computer programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint – Ability with managing times and meeting project deadlines – Excellent interpersonal skills The office interacts on a regular basis with taxpayers who are frustrated and angry and the intern should be able to handle challenging conversations.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.