Felicia Mona Belcher
Nottingham,MD
Summary
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Tax Law Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
03.2020 - Current
- As a Tax Law Specialist (TLS), I perform a full range of research, analysis on matters of tax law, in order to interpret Federal tax laws, regulations, congressional committee reports, revenue rulings and procedures, pending legislation, and translate into the most sensitive and complex tax forms, instructions, explanatory publications, and other materials to enable taxpayers to understand and meet their filing and other tax responsibilities.
- I prepare drafts of new and revised material and present them to internal customers, through the Tax Forms Coordinating Committee (TFCC) and other venues, to assure that needs of internal customers are met, and to assure that the Federal tax laws are administered effectively.
- As a TLS, I meet with TFCC members and others, including front-line and other field assistance personnel, to seek reactions, address concerns, and coordinate the interests of the various Service organizational units.
- I often take the lead during TFCC and planning meetings.
- As a TLS, I review suggestions from taxpayers, tax practitioners, industry, public interest and other groups, and internal customers, regarding simplification, burden reduction, and other improvements to division products.
- I review results of focus groups, surveys, and other customer satisfaction measurement tools to address concerns raised.
- As a TLS, I develop and implement simplification, paperwork reduction, and other improvements to division products.
- I recommend creation of additional products to reflect tax law changes, and to address previously unmet customer needs.
- I also provide assistance on tax law matters to other Service functions, including review of products dealing with tax law matters created by other functions.
- I review proposed legislation, regulations, etc., to provide information regarding administrative feasibility, and participate in studies, task forces, and other projects to develop legislative recommendations to simplify tax law and make it easier for taxpayers to comprehend and fulfill their filing and other tax obligations.
- I also prepare tax forms, instructions, and other explanatory materials.
- I'm an expert in converting a product into an online-only product.
- I've helped management and other stakeholders by educating them on the procedures and by providing assistance.
- I've repeatedly performed duties as a classroom instructor for new hires to provide their initial training.
- I've also received a certificate of appreciation for these duties.
- This is a federal job. Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/apply
Internal Revenue Agent
Internal Revenue Service
08.2014 - 03.2020
- As an Internal Revenue Agent in the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division, Employee Plans, I make independent determinations on the qualification status and perform independent examinations of employee plans.
- As an Agent, I analyze applications and issue determination letters on a variety of defined contribution plans and certain defined benefit plans under applicable Internal Revenue Code provisions.
- I examine and interpret the provisions of plans and documents accompanying applications.
- I also analyze information in exhibits and apply technical tests to determine if applicable statutory and other requirements are met.
- I consider probable effects of contributions and benefits, and ensure that plans are benefiting employees in general and do not discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
- I analyze amendments to existing plans to determine if their qualification or exempt status is adversely affected.
- I examine the termination of a plan and determine if discrimination will result and if a valid business reason existed for such action.
- I also had to examine employer returns for employees' pension or profit-sharing plans to substantiate deductions for contributions made under deferred compensation plans.
- I propose revocation of trust exempt status when related plan has ceased to qualify and recommend re-establishment of exempt status when plan has fulfilled the appropriate compliance requirements.
- I've obtained a professional knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices as evidenced by an accounting degree, equivalent class work, experience, and the ability to apply these techniques to analyze tax law and applications of defined contribution/benefit plans, examine and interpret provisions of the plans and perform audits on related tax returns.
- I'm very knowledgeable of the Internal Revenue Code, agency programs, tax laws and regulations relating to employee plans in order to analyze applications and issue determination letters on various contribution or benefit plans.
- I research material, including tax treaties, judicial and administrative decisions, revenue rulings and revenue procedures, and requests, develop implementation plans and complexity analyses.
- I'm knowledgeable of the pension and profit-sharing area of tax law, precedents, rulings and court decisions in order to substantiate deductions for contributions made under deferred compensation plans and to examine the bookkeeping of the plans and related operations of the trust.
- I maintain current awareness of changes in the tax law, regulations, rulings, administrative decisions, and determine the effect on tax products.
- As an Agent, I examine accounting practices and bookkeeping systems of pension and profit-sharing plans and related operations of the trust.
- I provide accurate technical expertise to serve internal and external customers with professional and helpful service.
- I also determine customer responsibilities for return filing, secure delinquent returns, and perform discrepancy adjustments.
- I confer with customers to determine whether the plan satisfies all the requirements for qualification and contact third parties to obtain or verify information.
- I review proposed and final drafts of technical tax material to ensure technical accuracy, reliability, and consistency.
- I work as an accountant, auditor, and investigator which requires the application of Federal tax accounting principles and/or the Internal Revenue Code and related laws.
- I review plans and related proposals by applying tax law that's unique to employee plans and are of typical complexity with standard patterns, standard corporate master plans, amendments, contribution deductions, and/or plans containing basic permitted disparity features; a variety of legal and accounting problems are encountered.
- Personal contact is made with applicant customers and their representatives who are usually attorneys or accountants.
- As an Agent, I make contact for the purpose of scheduling face-to-face audit interviews, obtaining additional information, discussing proposed features of plans, resolving deficiencies and proposing changes which will render a plan qualified.
- I provide prompt, professional and helpful treatment to customers and ensure that the tax law is applied fairly, observe all rights of the customers, and safeguard the confidentiality of customer information.
- I'm experienced in word processing, spreadsheet and database computer applications.
- I have the ability to successfully examine or review a variety of deferred compensation plans and related proposals.
- I convert complex tax laws and other technical matters into clear concise, logical explanations.
- I work independently by planning work so as to maximize productive use of time.
- I'm a Certified Trained Instructor and I've taught face-to-face Employee Plans training to newly hired Revenue Agents.
- This is a federal job. Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/apply
Tax Specialist - Reviewer
Internal Revenue Service
05.2011 - 08.2014
- As a Reviewer, I review examinations and related investigations of a variety of individual and business taxpayers involving complex tax issues and accounting records.
- I concentrate on technical and procedural features of issues raised by the examiners.
- I evaluate evidence and information used to support the examiner's conclusions to determine if documentation and case development is adequate.
- I then decide whether the conclusions reached by the examiner are in compliance with statutory provisions, procedural and policy requirements.
- In performing these duties, I possess the knowledge in elementary accounting principles, practices, methods, and auditing standards in order to analyze and evaluate audit results.
- I possess knowledge of current tax law IRS policies, practices, regulations, and procedures Internal Revenue Code rulings and court decisions to fairly and equitably determine the correct tax liability and compliance with recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
- I also possess knowledge of IRS automated tax systems and applications, such as IDRS and AIMS, to conduct research of case history and surrounding issues gain understanding and gather case facts and determine applicable tax law.
- I interpret and apply the auditing standards in accordance with established guidelines and provide feedback when needed.
- Work is technical in nature and consists of reviewing the case file and tax liability determinations made by examiners to ensure that the tax law has been consistent and correctly interpreted, that the information is sufficient to support the conclusions reached, and that the conclusions are properly documented and explained.
- I prepare correspondence and legal documents such as statutory notices of deficiency compose written responses to examiners, managers, and other customers.
- As the point of contact in the South Atlantic Area for the employee audit project, I provide technical, clerical, and management personnel with guidance and feedback on the program operations and feedback.
- I've provided feedback to the Territory Manager to address the trends, observations, and areas of concern based on the review of employee audit cases during a six-month period.
- On a monthly basis, I'm responsible for reconciling the AIMS/ERCS data assigned to our group with the RGS records the group possesses.
- This is a federal job. Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/apply
Supervisory Tax Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
10.2012 - 02.2013
- This was a 60-90 day detail assignment for the completion of FLRP (Frontline Leadership Readiness Program).
- As the Supervisor/Manager of the Baltimore Tax Compliance Officer group, I'm responsible for performing urgent and complex tasks on a daily basis.
- As a manager, I have a critical responsibility to achieve performance excellence within the group.
- I'm responsible for creating a positive workplace environment, promote an open and honest exchange of information, identify current and projected skill gaps, and promote diversity in the workplace.
- I'm also responsible for communicating to employees the importance of customer focus, establishing/implementing clear program performance objectives, collaborating with external and internal controls, promoting excellence, and providing informative/appropriate feedback and coaching to the employees.
- Monthly, I held inventory meetings with each employee to discuss case closing dates, problem cases (statue or overage cases), and any other case issues that needed to be addressed.
- I approved leave requests, provided technical advice on complex cases, conducted group meetings, developed an employee appreciation board, completed annual performance appraisals, and improved employee morale within the group.
- I often spoke with taxpayers to resolve issues, worked closely with the Territory Manager to inform him of the status of the group's performance levels, and addressed any areas of concerns that needed to be resolved.
- I also created a newsletter for the South Atlantic area to introduce the newly hired TCOs to the area.
- This is a federal job. Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/apply
Tax Compliance Officer
Internal Revenue Service
09.2008 - 05.2011
- As a Tax Compliance Officer (TCO), I plan and conduct pre-selected examinations and related investigations of a variety of individual taxpayers, exempt organizations, employee plans or government entities.
- I examine complex tax issues, and financial records.
- SB/SE Specialty Program activities include investigations of strategic or special emphasis programs such as; claims, non-filers, and preparer projects.
- I advise taxpayers of their rights as defined in the federal guidelines, the exam process, and explain the tax law and reporting responsibilities.
- I identify issues to be pursued based on large, unusual or questionable items that produce a significant tax or compliance effect, and utilize the tax law and facts needed to resolve them.
- I possess the ability to recognize when a case should be referred for additional procedural actions: fraud, preparer penalty, appeals, collections, and criminal investigation.
- I'm an expert in working the National Research Program (NRP) cases.
- The cases are selected for a research study analysis to determine what issues are mostly overstated and require examination.
- I also perform duties as a Mentor and an on-the-job instructor (OJI).
- I've been assigned to be a Mentor to a TCO within my office; to assist them in meeting the critical job elements (CJEAs) of the position.
- I also serve as a backup OJI to the trainees within my office when their OJI is not available.
- As an OJI, I'm responsible for sharing my skills and knowledge with others to assist them in producing superior work.
- I've completed details as a 'CDE Classifier.'
- As a CDE classifier, I assess returns through the CDE system and make a determination whether to select it for examination or accept it as filed.
- When a return is selected for an examination, I have to identify at least three large, unusual, and questionable items that need to be examined by either a TCO or a Revenue Agent.
- I've taught workshops as a classroom instructor, for our annual training class; CPE 2010.
- I was responsible for teaching 'Work Papers' to four different classes.
- I was responsible for meeting the objectives of the lesson and addressing any additional questions asked by the TCOAs.
- I also taught workshops to the new hires within my office; SFR and Case File Assembly.
- I also applied and was selected to be the OJI (On the Job Instructor) for the group.
- I've completed Acting Manager assignments within my group to gain managerial experience.
- I've assisted my manager with presenting information and areas of concern to the group during our meetings.
- I've worked hand in hand with my manager on ways to improve the workplace environment and professionalism within our office.
- I serve as a leader within my group, other TCOAs come to me for assistance and my manager depends on me to set a level of professionalism for other TCOAs to follow.
- This is a federal job. Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/apply
CSR-Customer Service Representative
Internal Revenue Service
10.2005 - 09.2008
- As a CSR, I worked primarily in the W&I and SB/SE organizations through telephone contact with taxpayers.
- Responsibilities include providing information and assistance; as well as taking action where needed to resolve tax issues often involving delinquent situations.
- Actions needed might include initiating liens or installment payment agreements as well as researching the taxpayer's ability to pay.
- I am also required to forward referral form 4442 (Internal Processing Procedures) to the various departments in order to resolve the taxpayer's issues.
- Some of the departments I send referrals to are Erroneous refunds, bankruptcy refund hold accounts management, and criminal investigation.
- I work independently (little or no supervision) with a high degree of judgment and initiative to make determinations related to the taxpayer's situation at hand.
- I must be aware of the many changes of tax law since regulations and policies frequently change.
- Flexibility and self-education is required to meet the many demands of the taxpayer.
- Being able to fully research the account allows me to give accurate and useful information to the taxpayer.
- I also work on the NTA (National Taxpayer Advocate) line to assist taxpayers with additional help when they're not getting the help needed through the IRS.
- This is a federal job. Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/apply
Education
Bachelor's degree - Management Science and Economics
Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD, United States07.2005
Some college (no degree) - MBA
Phoenix University
Nottingham, MD, United States06.2007
Associate of Science - Accounting
Strayer University
Baltimore, MD, United States04.2012
High school diploma or equivalent - College Preparation
Baltimore City College High School
Baltimore, MD, United States06.2000
Skills
- Financial statement analysis
- Tax accounting/Auditing
- Tax law
- Time management
- Evaluate evidence
- Tax compliance
- Tax research
- Efficient researcher
- Public speaking
- Mentoring and coaching
- Effective communication
- Team building
- Correspondence writing
- Professional business writing
- Group instruction
Job Related Training
- Tax Law Specialist Training, 2020-03
- Revenue Agent Training, 2014-08-01
- CITC trained
- Frontline Leadership Readiness Program, 2013-03-01
- TCO training; phase I, II, and III, 2013-01-01
- Tax Law, 2009-08-01
- Customer Service Training, 2005-01-01
Organizations And Affiliations
- AIMS - Supporting minorities in the workplace
- GALP - Aspiring Leaders Program
Additional Information - Awards And Achievements
- You Make a Difference Certificate, 2023-06-01
- Honor Award, 2017-06-01
- Managerial Award, 2012-07-01
- Performance Award, 2010-08-01
- Managerial award, 2010-07-01
- Performance Award, 2008-08-01
Timeline
Tax Law Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
03.2020 - Current
Internal Revenue Agent
Internal Revenue Service
08.2014 - 03.2020
Supervisory Tax Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
10.2012 - 02.2013
Tax Specialist - Reviewer
Internal Revenue Service
05.2011 - 08.2014
Tax Compliance Officer
Internal Revenue Service
09.2008 - 05.2011
CSR-Customer Service Representative
Internal Revenue Service
10.2005 - 09.2008
Bachelor's degree - Management Science and Economics
Coppin State University
Some college (no degree) - MBA
Phoenix University
Associate of Science - Accounting
Strayer University
High school diploma or equivalent - College Preparation
Baltimore City College High School