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Anyone have any knowledge about the competitiveness of the IRS? I know there are plans to expand the IRS and perhaps there will probably be more openings than usual. As it stands now though, what exactly do they typically look for their entry level positions? Are they general grade-hawks like the DOJ/Biglaw or is the commitment to the specialization of tax more important? Would taking the tax courses and getting good grades in them be as important to the IRS as perhaps taking crim/evidence courses & getting good grades in those would be to a state/city DA's office?

Thanks

IRS is very competitive. I got biglaw and DOJ SLIP- I did not get IRS honors. Showing interest is important, but grades are too, as is a bit of luck. Their hiring can be really erratic because of budget swings. One year they might take 2x as many as the next.

nealric wrote:IRS is very competitive. I got biglaw and DOJ SLIP- I did not get IRS honors. Showing interest is important, but grades are too, as is a bit of luck. Their hiring can be really erratic because of budget swings. One year they might take 2x as many as the next.

yep.

This is the type of law I want to go into. I want to do Tax Law and work for the IRS.

Will doing summer work on the editorial team of RIA or CCH help me? What is my best path to a job at the IRS?

Best path is to apply through the IRS website and to look out for any OCI or job fairs that the IRS will be attending. Also, if you're flexible between working at various field office locations or at the national office, you'll stand a better chance of finding an opening. Previous tax work is definitely a plus, but it's not necessary. Grades, journal experience (preferably Law Review), and an interest in tax and government work are probably the best things to show through your resume.

according to my interviewer, they are expecting to cut the number of summers dramatically this year, not to mention that last year was only about 40ish total for honors program nationwide. Budget this year is, without further need to explain, very very tight.

So, it is going to be a very tough year, in addition to usual competitiveness of the program.

I worked with a couple guys in accounting who had MS Accountancy and JD from good schools. Took them a couple years to finally get their foot in the door at the IRS.
So, yes, very competitive and a lot of good candidates with accounting experience, if my small, non-empirical sampling is any indication.

IRS OCC added on an OCI visit (for 2Ls) to UVA scheduled for next week a couple of weeks ago. Preselects have gone out already.

I did IRS at my school's OCI and they basically told me their recruiting process is super bureaucratic/sloppy/disorganized. First round sends recommended applicant files to Washington, who then tries to match you with an office that needs you (presumably this is where everything gets lost or thrown away). They said if you are going to hear back, it will be in 8-10 weeks, and if you don't hear anything after a few months that means you were rejected.

according to my interviewer, they are expecting to cut the number of summers dramatically this year, not to mention that last year was only about 40ish total for honors program nationwide. Budget this year is, without further need to explain, very very tight

I realize this is kind of a separate issue, but I've never understood why the IRS and DOJ Tax have such erratic funding. They are the only government agencies that actually make money.

nealric wrote:

according to my interviewer, they are expecting to cut the number of summers dramatically this year, not to mention that last year was only about 40ish total for honors program nationwide. Budget this year is, without further need to explain, very very tight

I realize this is kind of a separate issue, but I've never understood why the IRS and DOJ Tax have such erratic funding. They are the only government agencies that actually make money.

High retention rate, maybe? Each person they hire that isn't replacing someone constitutes an expansion of the department. Just a guess.