Senior Tax Auditor

Job Description and Duties

All applicants will be considered, however SROA/Surplus candidates will be given priority.

Are you interested in making life better for Californians? Are you looking for a career and not just a job? Do you want to create a meaningful impact in your community? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has a career opportunity waiting for you! California not only needs you, it wants you as part of the growing workforce. New employees, new ideas, and new creative perspectives are needed in all areas at the CDTFA. We value staff and are dedicated to employee career development. Our agency supports the development of staff by offering training to flourish in their position and programs to promote and explore upward mobility. To learn more about us, please see CDTFA Gateway to New Opportunities video

Working for the California state government means fulfilling an opportunity to be of service to your fellow Californians. Working with the California Department of Tax & Fee Administration (CDTFA) means doing that PLUS helping businesses and taxpayers across our state in ways you may not have imagined. At the CDTFA, we believe in lifting each other up and supporting our team members to be their very best. We offer mentoring and training to all team members with the hopes you find your path to excellence. You will be fully trained in how to do your job while receiving all the tools you need to perform your job well, not to mention the possibility of lifelong career advancement along the way.

The CDTFA promotes and supports telework. This position is not required to regularly travel but may require occasional travel.

The Associate Tax Auditor is responsible for independently working with moderate to difficult level claim for refund cases while under the general direction of the Supervising Tax Auditor II.

The incumbent in this position will be responsible for becoming familiar with:

• California Revenue and Taxation Code.

• California Tax Regulation.

• CDTFA Tax Annotations.

• CDTFA Audit and Compliance Manuals.

• CDTFA Systems.

As an Associate Tax Auditor (ATA) within the Refunds Section, your primary responsibility will be to review and analyze the validity of claims for refund. These reviews will consist of account analysis and gathering information and documentation related to the basis of each claim in conjunction with applicable tax laws, regulation, and annotations.

The ATA position is an excellent opportunity for you to learn and apply California's tax laws while sharpening your communication and auditing skills.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

How did you hear about this opportunity? Tell us in this brief survey.

Under Government Code 14200, this position may be eligible for partial telework for eligible candidates residing in California. All telework/hybrid schedules require staff to report to the office a minimum number of days per week. Schedules are subject to change.

Currently, per the California Budget Act of 2025, all California Department of Tax and Fee Administration salaries are subject to the provisions of the State of California’s Personal Leave Program.

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill additional identical vacancies which occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• Position may be located in a high-rise building.       

• Standard office environment.

• Requires being in a stationary position, consistent with office work, for extended periods of time.

• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Telework is partially available.    

Special Requirements

• This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to

• Position requires employee to be fingerprinted and successfully pass a background investigation. 

• Travel may be required up to five percent (5%) of the time. 

Eligibility for Promotional Exams

In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications for the Associate Tax Auditor, competition is limited to individuals who meet at least one of the following promotional examination criteria:

• Have a permanent civil service appointment with CDTFA, or
• Are current or former employees of the legislature for 2 or more years as defined in Government Code 18990, or
• Are current or former non-elected exempt employees of the executive branch for 2 or more consecutive years as defined in Govt. Code 18992, or
• Are persons retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active duty with a service disability or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code 18991. Applicants must provide a copy of discharge papers (DD 214) for verification purposes at the time of application.

Under certain circumstances other employees may be allowed to compete under provisions of Rules 234, 235 and 235.2. California Code of Regulations Rules 233, 234, 235.2 and 237 contain provisions regarding civil service status and eligibility for promotional examinations. If you are unsure of your eligibility for promotional examinations, please contact View email address on calcareers.ca.gov .

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Experience working in a position related to taxation.

• Experience communicating with the public verbally and in writing.

• Proficient with using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Excellent organization skills. 

Benefits

CDTFA appreciates and proudly celebrates diversity with an emphasis of an inclusive atmosphere in all levels of the organization. CDTFA is a participant in The Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Capitol Cohort to advance racial equality and advance opportunities for all in California. Employees of different races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, disabilities, gender orientations and personal experiences are welcomed to contribute to the success of CDTFA.

The CDTFA was presented with the Large State Employer of the Year Award for 2018 from The Association of California State Employees with Disabilities (ACSED); showcasing CDTFA’s support of employment, promotion, and fair treatment of persons with disabilities.

CDTFA values its staff and is dedicated to employee career development. Our agency supports the development of staff by offering training to flourish in their position and programs to promote and explore upward mobility.

Working for the State offers great opportunities, generous benefits, and career development. In addition, you can look forward to:

• Nearby (third-party) parking. 
• Convenient to public transportation. 
• Located near multiple eateries, major freeway access.

For more information about the outstanding benefits offered to State Employees

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. 

Additional Instructions for Applicants

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

Paper applications must include a signature. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.  

A completed state application (STD. 678) and any documents list under “Required Application Documents” must be submitted with your application package. Applicants who are relying on additional documentation (e.g. transcripts, copy of degrees, certifications, licenses, etc.) in order to prove that they meet the minimum qualifications listed in the Classification Specification (located on the right under “Additional Documentation) must submit those documents with their application package. Failure to submit these documents may result in your application being disqualified. Applications must include a description of the duties performed for each position held; reference to a resume in place of a description of the duties performed will not be accepted.

Applicants must state their basis of eligibility (List Eligibility, Lateral Transfer, Reinstatement, T&D, or Surplus/SROA), and the Job Control (JC) number and/or position number in the “Examination(s) or Job Title(s), For Which You Are Applying” section on the STD. 678. Surplus/SROA candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application . Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth, etc.) as well as any information regarding your LEAP eligibility and/or exam scores from your documents prior to submission. 

If applying electronically, please note that CalCareers no longer allows applicants to withdraw their applications. If you need assistance to withdraw your application, please contact the Certification Section at View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

For all other questions regarding your CalCareer account, please contact CalHR’s CalCareers Unit at Show phone number or View email address on calcareers.ca.gov .

For more information on the recruitment process please email  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.