Supervisory General Attorney (Tax) - Area Counsel

⁠​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌⁠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.

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Learn about our Legal Divisions 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.

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). An Area Counsel of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division Counsel (TEGEDC) serves as a first-line supervisor responsible for the effective supervision and management of their geographic and practice areas and serves as one of the chief legal advisors to the TEGEDC Division Counsel (DC) and Deputy Division Counsel (DDC) TEGEDC with respect to legislation, regulations, and interpretation of rulings and opinions pertaining to the uniform interpretation and application of Federal tax laws under their jurisdiction.

As a Supervisory General Attorney (Tax) - Area Counsel, you will:

• Serve as a legal advisor to the IRS TE/GE Operating Division and SB/SE Employment Tax and supervise the litigation of cases in the United States Tax Court, including declaratory judgment cases.
• Coordinate large case petitions, Tax Court briefs, and other appropriate matters with other Division Counsel offices.
• Supervise and coordinate the rendering of legal advice and assistance to IRS field offices, Appeals offices, and Service Center offices concerning cases under examination.
• Supervise the preparation of defense letters in suits and provide advice and support to the Department of Justice in that litigation.
• Provide direct supervision for the TEGEDC Area and practice area attorneys and paralegals.

This is not an all-inclusive list.

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 Supervisory General Attorney (Tax) - Area Counsel, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below by the closing of this announcement:

Basic Requirements for Supervisory General Attorney (Tax) - Area Counsel:

• 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.

GS-15 Experience Requirements:

• 1 year of general professional legal experience from any area of expertise; plus
• 3 years of professional legal tax experience

Professional Legal Tax Experience is defined as:
(1) Comprehensive professional knowledge and understanding of Federal tax statutes and regulations as well as relevant Treasury and IRS guidance in one or more of the following areas: exempt organizations, employee plans, employment tax, health and welfare benefits, executive compensation, tax exempt bonds, Indian and Tribal Government, and/or government entities AND
(2) Experience with case handling and processing, including coordination within TEGEDC and with the Associate Offices, other Divisions, the client, or the Department of Justice.

At least one year of this experience must be equivalent to the work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-14).

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) 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.

Time in Grade Requirement for GS-15: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-14).