Tax Legal Support/Paralegal in Sacramento, California at BOUTIN JONES INC

Boutin Jones Inc. is looking for a motivated Tax Legal Support professional or Paralegal to join our Tax Controversy and Litigation practice. We represent individuals and businesses in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and California tax agencies, including the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Office of Tax Appeals, and the Employment Development Department (EDD). We also handle property tax cases, regularly working with county assessor offices and assessment appeals boards across the state. Our matters cover a wide variety of administrative tax proceedings and litigation in the United States Tax Court, federal district court, California superior courts, and appellate courts.

Position Summary

Tax Controversy and Administrative Proceedings

• Prepare, track and file powers of attorney and tax information authorizations with federal, state and county tax authorities.
• Support attorneys in a wide variety of administrative tax proceedings before the IRS, California tax agencies, and county assessor offices.
• Track agency notices, response deadlines, statutory periods, and document request due dates.
• Organize and prepare document productions, exhibits, and supporting records for submission to taxing authorities.
• Prepare and submit filings to administrative agencies and follow up as needed, including protests, appeals to the California Office of Tax Appeals, and property tax assessment appeals.

Litigation Support

• Format, finalize, and file petitions, motions, briefs, and other pleadings in the U.S. Tax Court.
• Prepare tables of contents, tables of authorities, indices, and exhibit sets for complex filings.
• Maintain litigation calendars and docket court deadlines, hearing, and trial dates.

Legal Drafting and Analysis Support

• Help attorneys prepare complex legal analysis documents, including protest letters, responses to agency requests, memoranda, and client advisory letters.
• Proofread documents for accuracy, consistency, and compliance with court formatting rules.
• Draft routine correspondence and documents for attorney review.
• Prepare, format, and review complex Word and Excel documents for accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

Client and Agency Communication

• Act as a professional, responsive point of contact for clients, businesses, opposing counsel, and federal, state, and county tax personnel.
• Schedule conferences, hearings, and meetings with agency representatives and counsel.
• Receive and greet clients and handle phone calls for attorneys and paralegals.
• Write clear, professional correspondence to clients and government agencies.

Practice and Office Management

• Maintain electronic calendars for attorneys and yourself.
• Request conflict checks and open new clients and matters following firm procedure.
• Create and maintain organized client and matter files, keep records, and prepare reports.
• Process daily mail, including time-sensitive agency notices.
• Arrange travel, lodging, and continuing education registration for attorneys.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least (1) year of experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal.
• Exceptional spelling, grammar, punctuation and proofreading.
• Basic math skills, including the ability to perform accurate calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Strong organization skills and the ability to keep track of multiple matters and deadlines accurately.
• Professional, posed communication with clients, attorneys, and government representatives, both in writing and in person.
• A collaborative attitude and willingness to help colleagues with coverage when needed.
• Discretion and sound judgement in handling confidential taxpayer and financial information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a legal assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal in a tax, corporate/transactional, or litigation setting.
• Associate degree, relevant professional certification (Paralegal certificate), or equivalent combination of education and experience.