Understanding the Question

When an interviewer poses the question, "Can you discuss a time when you had to negotiate with the IRS or another tax authority on behalf of a client?", they are asking for a specific example from your past experiences. This question is designed to uncover your hands-on experience with tax law, your negotiation skills, and your ability to advocate effectively for your clients. It's crucial to understand that the interviewer is not merely interested in whether you have had this experience, but also in how you approached the situation, the strategies you employed, and the outcomes you achieved.

Interviewer's Goals

The interviewer, through this question, aims to assess several key aspects of your qualifications as a tax attorney:

1. Expertise in Tax Law: Your knowledge of tax law and its application in real-life scenarios.
2. Negotiation Skills: Your ability to negotiate with tax authorities, which is vital in securing favorable outcomes for your clients.
3. Client Advocacy: How well you represent and defend your client's interests in challenging situations.
4. Problem-Solving Abilities: Your approach to resolving disputes or issues with tax authorities.
5. Communication Skills: How effectively you communicate with both clients and tax authorities.

How to Approach Your Answer

When preparing your answer, structure it in a way that clearly outlines the situation, the actions you took, and the results of those actions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to organize your response succinctly and effectively:

• Situation: Briefly describe the context in which you needed to negotiate with the IRS or another tax authority. Set the scene for the interviewer.
• Task: Explain what your objectives were. What were you trying to achieve for your client?
• Action: Detail the steps you took to negotiate with the tax authority. Highlight your strategic approach, the negotiation techniques you used, and how you advocated for your client.
• Result: Share the outcome of your negotiation. Focus on the benefits for your client, but also what you learned from the experience.

Example Responses Relevant to Tax Attorney

Here is an example of how to craft your response, following the STAR method:

Example 1:

• Situation: "A client was facing a significant audit from the IRS due to discrepancies in reported income. The potential penalties and back taxes were substantial."
• Task: "My goal was to minimize the financial impact on my client while resolving the discrepancies in a manner satisfactory to the IRS."
• Action: "I meticulously reviewed the client's financial records and identified legitimate deductions that had been overlooked. I prepared a comprehensive argument and engaged in multiple negotiation sessions with the IRS, presenting our findings and advocating for the client's position."
• Result: "Ultimately, we were able to significantly reduce the client's liability, saving them thousands of dollars. The IRS accepted our documentation and argument, and the case was resolved with a much more favorable outcome for my client."

Example 2:

• Situation: "During a routine compliance check, one of my clients was found to have unintentionally misclassified several employees as independent contractors."
• Task: "I needed to negotiate with the state tax authority to address the misclassification without crippling financial penalties for my client."
• Action: "After conducting a thorough review of employment records and the applicable tax codes, I engaged with the tax authority to present our case. I negotiated a settlement that included the client making adjustments for future tax periods and a payment plan for the owed taxes that considered the client's financial capacity."
• Result: "The negotiation led to a waiver of potential penalties, and the payment plan allowed my client to remain financially solvent. This case also helped highlight the importance of regular compliance reviews for my client, preventing future issues."

Tips for Success

• Be Specific: Choose an example that showcases your skills and experience in the best light. Avoid vague descriptions.
• Focus on Your Role: Make it clear what your contribution was to the negotiation process and the outcome.
• Highlight Learning Experiences: If possible, mention what you learned from the experience and how it has made you a better tax attorney.
• Stay Professional: When discussing interactions with tax authorities and clients, maintain a professional tone and respect confidentiality.
• Practice Your Response: Ensure your answer flows well and fits within a reasonable time frame to keep the interviewer engaged.

By following these guidelines and preparing thoughtfully, you'll be able to effectively demonstrate your expertise and value as a tax attorney during your job interview.