Description
Pisgah Legal Services
Position: Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Qualified Tax Expert (QTE)
Contact: Sam Galloway
62A Charlotte St., Asheville, NC 28801
828-253-0406
humanresources@pisgahlegal.org
Apply Via Link: https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs
Application Documents: Resume (Required), Cover Letter (Required)
Application Begins: April 27, 2026
Application Deadline: July 21, 2026 (5:00 pm EDT)
Job Description
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Qualified Tax Expert (QTE)
CPA, Attorney, or Enrolled Agent
Hybrid remote work schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote
Base office in Asheville, NC
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Directors. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina (WNC), Pisgah Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in WNC. The organization currently has offices in Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Cashiers, Hendersonville, Highlands, Marshall, Morganton, Newland, and Rutherfordton.
With over 120 dedicated staff, including more than 30 attorneys plus program staff, and an active group of 200 volunteer attorneys, the program provides free services to nearly 28,000 people per year to meet their basic needs, primarily in the poverty law areas of housing, public benefits, domestic violence prevention, health care, immigration, and consumer law.
Pisgah Legal Services seeks a Qualified Tax Expert (QTE) CPA, Attorney, or Enrolled Agent for the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) with a commitment to, and passion for, the rights of low-income taxpayers. The QTE will work with other tax and benefits program staff to increase PLS's capacity to serve low-income taxpayers through tax controversy representation and advice on tax disputes with the IRS and the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The LITC is supported by a grant from the Internal Revenue Service.
The LITC QTE will:
- Represent low-income and ESL taxpayers before the IRS and/or NCDOR or in the US Tax Court regarding tax controversies. For example, controversies may involve examinations, audit reconsiderations, innocent- and injured-spouse issues, identity theft, return preparer misconduct, offers in compromise, installment payment plans, the right to claim dependents and dependent-related credits, income verification, eligibility for credits, properly claimed deductions, and many other tax-related issues.
- Obtain appropriate credentials to represent Taxpayers before the IRS and in the U.S. Tax Court.
- Prepare tax returns when necessary for case handling.
- Provide technical assistance to PLS staff including attorneys and tax preparers on issues regarding income taxes.
- Maintain a caseload commensurate with experience and conduct client intake with meticulously maintained and contemporaneous records in case management software.
- Conduct trauma-informed and client-centered interviews with a holistic approach to poverty law remedies.
Analyze and review changes in tax laws and regulations, with an emphasis on those impacting low-income and ESL taxpayers, and disseminate information to staff, volunteer attorneys, and the public. - Adhere to program priorities and case handling policies, procedures, and standards of practice, as well as the highest professional and ethical standards.
- Conduct outreach and community education to taxpayers and service providers to build awareness and knowledge of tax benefits and credits available to low-income and ESL taxpayers.
- Help coordinate and participate in special projects or clinics.
- Develop and maintain relationships with communities and other non-profit agencies, government officials, government employees, community leaders, and others.
- Provide all information and services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Qualifications
- Enrolled Agent, N.C. Licensed CPA, or N.C. Licensed Attorney.
- Knowledge and understanding of federal income tax law.
- Experience in tax preparation.
- Experience in tax controversy, or in advising and representing taxpayers before the IRS, is preferred.
- Demonstrated skills in socio-economic and cultural sensitivity, commitment to equity.
- Commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, consumers, clients, board members, donors, community groups, member organizations, and others.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently.
- Detail-oriented, accurate, and organized.
- Ability to create, communicate, understand, remember, and carry out complex instructions.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with teams.
- Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe PDF professional; experience conducting legal research with research tools such as Bloomberg Tax (BNA), Checkpoint, or TaxNotes.
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with co-workers and clients in virtual, face-to-face, and meeting settings.
General Requirements
- Available 8:30 am- 5 pm daily, Monday-Friday, except NC State holidays.
- Spanish language skills preferred.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Access to a reliable car with car insurance preferred.
- Available to work nights and/or weekends during high-demand periods.
- Possess socio-economic and cultural sensitivity and the ability to communicate with persons in crisis or under stress.
- Ability to multitask and interact well with professionals, clients, and others.
Salary/ Benefits
Salary ranges from $54,416 – $118,243 depending on IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) status, CPA designation, attorney licensure, experience, and qualifications.
Our salary scale is predetermined based on the years of relevant professional work experience that qualify for this position, to ensure equitable pay. Pisgah Legal Services is a Living Wage Certified Employer.
Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage on the 1st of the month following the start date. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) pays 100% of the Employee and 50% of the Dependent Cost for BCBS Medical and Dental coverage. PLS pays 50% of the Employee Coverage Cost for BCBS Vision coverage. PLS pays 100% of Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Coverage, Life Insurance Coverage of 5x base salary + an additional $15,000 Life & AD&D Coverage. 401k Retirement Plan after 6 months of employment.
Additional Fringe Benefits include:
Pet Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Bereavement Leave, 13.5 Company Holidays, 22 Paid Leave Days, Paid Sabbatical Leave for eligible staff, Employee Assistance Program for entire household, and a great working environment with work-life balance.
To Apply
Submit your online application with resume and cover letter through our Career Center located at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/jobs
PLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how their unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.
Pisgah Legal Services is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with our Human Resources department.
