Thursday, January 4, 2024 to Friday, October 18, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
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2.
IRS CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus IRS employee and:
you are located either within or outside the local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
3.
Treasury CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus Department of Treasury (non-IRS) employee and:
you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
4.
ICTAP Candidate - Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position and:
you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal, AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form.
5.
U.S. Citizen Candidate - Are you a U.S. citizen (either by birth or naturalization) or national of the United States?
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6.
Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity. Former employees will be subject to a screening of their prior performance and conduct with the Service, and all other applicants may be subject to reference checks of prior employment. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.
Please select the response that best describes your current or prior employment with the IRS. If you never worked for the Internal Revenue Service, you must select the last response "Not applicable."
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7.
Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity, and must be in compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. Applicants being considered for employment with the IRS will be subject to a tax check. You can "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/ (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) and check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. Applicants not in compliance will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.
Please select the response that best describes your compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. You will be subject to a tax check that will verify your response to this question.
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8.
The following question is regarding your Selective Service status. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government (5 CFR 300.704). Visit http://www.sss.gov/ for additional information.
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Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 3 location(s).
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2.
In the preference question above that states "Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location." you selected the location(s) you prefer to be considered for.
Below, please prioritize the locations you selected above by selecting the 1st location preference you would like to be considered for.
The following list includes Wage & Investment , Customer Assistance, Relationships and Education (CARE) locations but not all locations are available for this announcement.
Only locations listed on the announcement and in the above question are available.
Do NOT select locations you did not choose in the question above.
Applicants will NOT be considered for locations that are not included on the announcement and in the question above.
3.
In the preference question above that states "Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location." you selected the location(s) you prefer to be considered for.
Below, please prioritize the locations you selected above by selecting the 2nd locationpreference you would like to be considered for. If you do NOT have a 2rd priority, select "No additional priority location".
The following list includes Wage & Investment , Customer Assistance, Relationships and Education (CARE) locations but not all locations are available for this announcement.
Only locations listed on the announcement and in the above question are available.
Do NOT select locations you did not choose in the question above.
Applicants will NOT be considered for locations that are not included on the announcement and in the question above.
4.
In the preference question above that states "Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location." you selected the location(s) you prefer to be considered for.
Below, please prioritize the locations you selected above by selecting the 3rd preference location you would like to be considered for. If you do NOT have a 3rd priority, select "No additional priority location".
The following list includes Wage & Investment , Customer Assistance, Relationships and Education (CARE) locations but not all locations are available for this announcement.
Only locations listed on the announcement and in the above question are available.
Do NOT select locations you did not choose in the question above.
Applicants will NOT be considered for locations that are not included on the announcement and in the question above.
7.
If you selected "Other", please enter the agency and organization.
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8.
If you are a current Federal employee, what is your duty station? [City, State]
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9.
If you are a Federal employee, under what type of appointment are you currently serving?
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10.
If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, please provide your current or last pay plan, series, and grade level or pay band. For example: GS-0303-05, IR-0343-02, WG-5400-04.
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11.
If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held. For example: GS-05, IR-02, WG-04.
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12.
Are you a current or former Federal employee with reinstatement eligibility?
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13.
Are you a retiree receiving a Federal annuity, either military or civilian?
Note: If you are an annuitant, your salary or annuity may be reduced upon employment.
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14.
Have you accepted a buyout from a Federal agency within the past 5 years?
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15.
Regarding the effectiveness of our recruitment strategies; how did you first hear about this job?
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16.
If you answered "Posting on a job board or search agent other than USAJOBS (Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, LinkUp, etc." in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the job board or search agent other than USAJOBS you saw the advertisement.
If you answered "Social Media posting (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, on-line job fairs, etc.)" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the Social Media platform you saw the advertisement.
If you answered "Attended a recruitment event (Job/Career Fair, Open House, Meet & Greet, Meetup, etc.)" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name and state of the recruiting event.
If you answered "School/University announcement/career counselor" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the school/university of the announcement where you saw the advertisement.
If you answered "Third party referral, such as diversity or community organization, or employment office (Federal, state or local)" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the third party referral and the state you saw the advertisement.
If you answered "Newspaper (print/online)" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the newspaper and the state you saw the advertisement.
If you answered "Radio" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the radio station and state you heard the advertisement.
If you answered "Transit/Bus Advertisement" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the city and state you saw the advertisement.
If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Major News Websites" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the website.
If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Movie Theater Websites" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the website.
If you answered "Classified Advertisement Website (Craigslist, Angie's List, etc.)" in the previous question, please indicate in the box below the name of the website, city and state.
If you answered "Other" in the previous question, please specify in the box below.
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17.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently employed, or have been employed within the last 5 years, in any one of the categories below, you must disclose this information. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Are you a current or former political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316 (relating to the Executive Schedule)?
-OR-
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, or an individual who serves or served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch?
-OR-
Are you a current or former noncareer SES appointee, or an individual who serves or served in a political capacity under Limited Term SES or Limited Emergency SES appointment in the Executive Branch?
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18.
If yes, identify the position held, the employing agency/organization, and the dates of the appointment. Please provide SF-50s showing your political appointment and, if applicable, resignation/termination SF-50.
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19.
For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, are you aware that you must submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent as specified in this announcement? An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
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Assessment 1
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Thank you for your interest in applying for this position. Your responses to the following questions supplement the information provided in your resume.
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QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
GENERAL EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION FOR GS-05: You must have three years of general experience one year of which was at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-04 in the Federal Service. General experience for this position includes: Analyzing problems to identify significant factors; gathering pertinent data and recognizing solutions; planning and organizing work; and communicating effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Other experiences that may provide evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION FOR GS-07: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: A knowledge of business practices, basic accounting principles, and Federal tax laws and regulations; and that required the ability to audit tax records, analyze systems and bookkeeping, use fact-finding techniques, and develop interpersonal skills.
OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: 1 year of graduate education in a field of study such as: business administration, finance, accounting, auditing, taxation, or other related fields. OR Superior Academic Achievement may be met by having a Bachelor's degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 2.95 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.45 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION FOR GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations and administrative procedures related to the full range of personal, business, and other tax-related issues. Examples of qualifying experience include: Interpreting and applying rules and regulations; Interviewing others to elicit facts to identify and resolve problems; Communicating with others to elicit facts to identify and resolve complex problems; Analyzing financial documents, such as financial accounts, tax returns, financial statements, etc., to reconcile factual differences or to reconstruct missing facts, and; Deciding whether actions are in compliance with statutory provisions and/or procedural and policy requirements.
OR
You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study such as: accounting, finance, or business administration. OR Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a field of study such as: accounting, finance, business administration or public administration. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.
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1.
GS-05: Which is true about your general experience and/or education?
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2.
GS-07: Which of the following is true about your experience and/or education?
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3.
GS-09: Which of the following is true about your experience and/or education?
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The questions in this section relate to your work- and education-related experiences. If you are not currently in a work group, please answer the questions based on experiences you may have had in previous jobs, or in school, social, athletic, or volunteer organizations. For each of the following items, choose one answer from among the alternatives presented. Answer each statement as accurately as you can.
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4.
Explaining tax related technical procedures, regulations, laws, or rules to customers.
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5.
Interacting with individuals from varied backgrounds (for example, education, cultural, economic) in a business environment.
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6.
Documenting in writing actions taken to explain technical or routine procedures or non-technical issues.
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7.
Explaining how to fill out forms and follow instructions.
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8.
Researching and interpreting instructions, guidelines, and procedures to determine the appropriate actions.
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9.
Listening to information provided by individuals and asking questions to gather relevant facts to solve problems.
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10.
Resolving issues with individuals who are confrontational or uncooperative.
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11.
Searching and retrieving information from a computer database or the Internet.
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12.
Reviewing and inputting data into a computer while working with customers.
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13.
Navigating in multiple computer windows to retrieve or update information.
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Questions in the Situational Judgment section draw primarily on your experiences in working with and relating to others in a work setting. For each of the questions in this section, you are asked to indicate how you would be most likely to respond in a given situation.
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For each of the situations described, you are asked to indicate how you would respond. No special training or experience is required to answer these questions. Identify from the response options the one that best represents how you would handle the situation. Select the response that is closest to how you would be most likely to actually handle the situation, not the response that you think others might select or the response that you think is expected.
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Below is information about the role of the Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist. Consider this information when answering the questions.
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Role of the Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist
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The mission of the IRS is to provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. The role of an Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist (ITAS) in fulfilling this mission is to:
• Provide technical and procedural information and customer assistance to taxpayers and/or their representatives in a face-to-face setting
• Resolve taxpayers' issues related to their accounts, payments, filings, and notices received from the IRS
• Facilitate the resolution of issues related to tax audits and collection of tax and penalties
• Prepare basic individual tax returns based on taxpayer need based on pre-determined criteria
• Promote voluntary compliance by educating taxpayers on meeting their tax responsibilities
• Protect taxpayer rights
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An Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist strives for one stop service, by providing efficient, complete, and correct responses to taxpayers' questions in one visit when they come into a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). The Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist works in a structured office environment that provides walk-in service. The Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist must read information from a computer screen and input information using the keyboard. He or she may work at a particular station for long periods of time or assist in other areas, such as greeting customers or re-stocking forms.
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The Taxpayer Assistance Center maintains specific hours of operation in which taxpayers can come in for Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist assistance or to pick up certain tax forms that are stocked in the Taxpayer Assistance Center. The Taxpayer Assistance Center provides specific services and the Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist employees are not permitted to handle tax issues for which they have not been trained.
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The Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist must also protect taxpayers' confidentiality and private information by only disclosing taxpayer information to those who are authorized to receive it, including other IRS employees. Therefore, the Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist plays a critical role in providing accurate information and quality service.
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14.
A customer comes into the Taxpayer Assistance Center requesting a copy of his father's most recent income tax return. You look up the account and determine that the father does not have written authorization on file to grant his son power of attorney. The customer states that his father can't come to the office to request the tax return himself because he is in the hospital, but asked the son to do it for him, because he needs the information immediately. What would you do in this situation?
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15.
A customer comes into the Taxpayer Assistance Center and is being assisted by another Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist. You overhear part of the conversation where the Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist is providing incorrect information. What would you do in this situation?
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16.
A limited number of employees in each Taxpayer Assistance Center are authorized to accept cash payments and write receipts. A customer comes into the office to make a payment. Her payment must be received today, or it will be considered late. The customer forgot her checkbook but has the cash necessary to make the payment. The employees authorized to accept cash payments are gone for the day. What would you do in this situation?
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17.
A customer enters a workstation at 4:15 pm for tax return preparation. He had an appointment scheduled at 3:30, but due to a busy day in the Taxpayer Assistance Center, the customer has just been called in. You review the customer's tax information and determine it will take 45 minutes or more to complete the return. The office closes at 4:30 and the workday ends at 4:45 for everyone in your office. What would you do in this situation?
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18.
There are three customers waiting to be screened by the receptionist before being seen by an Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist. The receptionist is temporarily away from her workstation stocking the forms racks. You have just finished assisting your customer and are waiting for the next one to be screened. What would you do in this situation?
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19.
A customer drove two hours for an appointment to have her tax return prepared at the Taxpayer Assistance Center. She brought all of her required documents, except her social security card, which is used for verification purposes. It would be a hardship for her to leave and return to the office at another time. After notifying your manager of her your arrival, what would be the next thing you would do in this situation?
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20.
You arrive at work 45 minutes late due to heavy traffic. Upon arrival you see the lobby is already full of taxpayers waiting for service. What is the first thing you would do upon your arrival in this situation?
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21.
A taxpayer comes to the office and states that the IRS is taking part of his wages to pay past due taxes. That is, IRS has levied his wages. He states he now does not have money for rent or food for his family. You advise him that he may qualify for a hardship release and that he will need to submit a financial statement. He states he doesn't have all of the needed financial information with him. What would you do in this situation?
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22.
To help assist customers who are just dropping off payments, your manager has assigned you to serve these customers only. You have assisted all of the customers waiting to make a payment, although other customers are there for other services. What would you do in this situation?
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23.
A customer comes into the Taxpayer Assistance Center with a Balance Due notice that she doesn't understand. You have limited knowledge gained through Taxpayer Assistance Center experience, but you haven't received the training on these types of issues yet, and all of your co-workers are busy assisting other customers. What would you do in this situation?
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24.
You are working with a customer on a financial analysis. You are halfway complete. It is your assigned lunch time and you are first in the lunch schedule rotation for Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist employees. You think it will take about another 20 minutes to finish with this customer. What would you do in this situation?
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25.
A customer came into the Taxpayer Assistance Center and requested a 120-page technical publication on sale of rental property, because he is thinking about selling his rental property. The publication is stocked in the distribution center, but not stocked in the Taxpayer Assistance Center offices. What would you do in this situation?
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26.
You are in the process of preparing a tax return for a customer. You determine that he does not meet the qualifications criteria for return preparation because he has a complex tax issue that is outside of the Taxpayer Assistance Center criteria. What would you do in this situation?
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27.
A customer comes to you to set up an installment payment agreement. She owes $12,000 and cannot pay in full as she has had her work hours reduced. In this situation, IRS regulations allow up to 5 years for full payment of tax once the installment goes into effect. What is the minimum monthly payment, excluding interest?
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28.
After hearing a taxpayer's question, you determine that you cannot answer his question because it is beyond the scope of services provided in the Taxpayer Assistance Center. What would you do in this situation?
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29.
You return from lunch break and see your co-worker in a heated discussion with an irate taxpayer. Both have arisen from their seated positions in a confrontational manner as you approach. What would you do in this situation?
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30.
You prepare a tax return for a taxpayer using the required software. When you review the completed return with the customer, he becomes irate when he learns he has a balance due. He tells you he always gets a refund and he insist you do the return again. What would you do in this situation?
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31.
A taxpayer needs to file a joint return with his wife, but she is in the hospital and unable to come to the office. He has his and her identification cards, social security cards, and income information. He states he needs to file today because he needs the refund as soon as possible because his wife is in the hospital. According to IRS guidelines, both spouses must be present and give written consent for you to complete a joint return. What would you do in this situation?
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32.
Your next door neighbor is having trouble getting her ex-husband to pay child support. She asked if you could look at her ex-husband's tax return to determine where he is earning his money and how much he is earning, so she can report it to the court. What would you do in this situation?
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33.
Your manager advises the group of the necessity to change everyone's lunch break to accommodate the large increase of customer traffic during core lunch time. You are enrolled in an exercise class at the gym during your current lunch period that you would rather not change. What would you do in this situation?
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34.
Two colleagues are standing outside your workstation discussing the latest football scores. You are assisting a customer and the conversation is distracting you and the customer. What would you do in this situation?
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35.
A taxpayer filed his individual return on the due date of April 15 but paid the taxes three months late. The failure-to-pay penalty is 1/2 of 1% of the unpaid taxes for each month that the tax is unpaid. The taxpayer's unpaid tax is $800.00. Compute the failure-to-pay penalty.
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36.
During your contact, you tell the taxpayer that he owes tax and penalties of $1,500. The taxpayer becomes angry and raises his voice at you. What would you do in this situation?
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37.
A taxpayer is at your workstation and is upset and crying uncontrollably. She always pays her taxes on time; however, she just lost her job. She will owe $2,000 in taxes this year and is afraid IRS will take her unemployment check. She will not be able to pay both her rent and tax. What would you do in this situation?
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38.
To qualify for this position and receive full credit for your relevant experience you must list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the questions. Do you understand that failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination?
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39.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below.
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