Tax Controversy Specialist at Mercor

Tax Controversy Specialist | $80–120/hr | Remote

Mercor is hiring experienced Tax Controversy Specialists on behalf of a cutting-edge AI research lab building advanced financial and legal reasoning systems. This unique role focuses on training, evaluating, and refining AI systems using real-world tax controversy expertise. You'll help develop AI models capable of understanding complex tax disputes, audit processes, regulatory interpretation, and litigation strategy.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience managing IRS audits, appeals, and tax disputes, and can translate complex procedural and technical tax matters into structured, high-quality feedback for AI improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and annotate AI-generated outputs related to tax audits, disputes, and litigation scenarios
• Evaluate model reasoning on IRS examination procedures, appeals processes, and tax court matters
• Validate technical interpretations of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provisions and Treasury Regulations
• Provide structured feedback on penalty assessments, reasonable cause arguments, and settlement strategies
• Assess AI-generated responses to IDRs (Information Document Requests) and audit defense strategies
• Identify compliance risks, procedural errors, or flawed legal reasoning
• Collaborate with research teams to improve model performance in tax dispute workflows

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in tax controversy, tax litigation, IRS audit defense, or regulatory dispute resolution
• Strong knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, and IRS procedures
• Experience handling audits, appeals, or tax court matters
• Familiarity with penalty abatement, voluntary disclosures, and settlement negotiations
• Strong analytical writing skills and ability to provide structured legal feedback
• JD, CPA, or equivalent tax specialization experience preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing clients before the IRS or in U.S. Tax Court
• Background in Big 4 controversy practice or tax law firm
• Exposure to international tax disputes or cross-border issues
• Experience mentoring junior professionals or reviewing complex tax memoranda

Engagement Details

• Project-based or part-time engagement (10–20 hours per week)
• Competitive hourly compensation based on experience
• Opportunity to contribute to frontier AI systems in tax and legal reasoning