Paralegal - Landlord Tenant/Tax Controversy/Office Admin

Job Summary

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Paralegal with experience in Maryland landlord-tenant law and IRS tax resolution and controversy practice to join our team. In this role, you will support attorneys and CPAs in landlord-tenant disputes, federal and state tax collection and examination matters, legal research, document preparation, and case management. You will help keep office operations running smoothly, communicate with clients, courts, and taxing authorities, and make sure deadlines and procedural requirements are met. This paid position is a chance to build specialized skills where legal and accounting work overlap, in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Duties

Landlord-Tenant (Maryland)

• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and managing documents for landlord-tenant cases, including notices, lease agreements, and eviction filings.
• Prepare and file complaints in the District Court of Maryland for failure to pay rent, tenant holding over, and breach of lease, with the required supporting documents.
• Prepare and track pre-filing notices, such as notices to vacate, notices of intent to file, and breach-of-lease notices, so their content and timing meet Maryland requirements.
• Gather and verify filing prerequisites, including county rental license information (e.g., Prince George's and Montgomery Counties) and Maryland lead-paint registration and inspection certificates for pre-1978 properties.
• Prepare rent ledgers, lease abstracts, and payment histories for trial, and organize exhibits and witness materials for District Court hearings.
• Track post-judgment steps, including tenant redemption, petitions for warrant of restitution, appeals, stays, and consent or payment-plan agreements.
• Assist with security deposit matters under Maryland law, including itemized damage lists, deposit-interest calculations, and statutory response deadlines.
• Assist with rent escrow actions, commercial lease disputes, and lease-guaranty matters as needed.
• E-file and monitor cases through MDEC and Maryland Judiciary Case Search.

Tax Resolution & Controversy (IRS and State)

• Prepare and submit Forms 2848 and 8821, and pull and analyze IRS account, wage and income, and return transcripts through IRS e-Services.
• Build client compliance histories: identify unfiled years, substitute-for-return assessments, balances due, penalties, and accrued interest.
• Calculate and monitor key statute dates, including the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED), assessment statute (ASED), and refund statute (RSED), and docket all IRS response deadlines.
• Prepare collection financial statements (Forms 433-A, 433-B, 433-F) and organize supporting documents such as bank statements, pay stubs, and expense substantiation.
• Assist with collection alternatives, including installment agreements, Offers in Compromise (Form 656 / 433-A OIC), Currently Not Collectible status, and partial-pay agreements.
• Draft penalty abatement requests (first-time abatement and reasonable cause, including Form 843) and innocent spouse requests (Form 8857).
• Prepare Collection Due Process and equivalent hearing requests (Form 12153), Collection Appeals Program requests (Form 9423), and Taxpayer Advocate Service requests (Form 911).
• Assist with lien and levy matters, including levy releases and lien withdrawal, discharge, and subordination applications (Forms 12277, 14135, 14134).
• Support examination matters: track Information Document Requests, organize audit records, and help prepare responses to proposed adjustments (e.g., Form 4549).
• Assist with Trust Fund Recovery Penalty matters, including Form 4180 interview preparation and payroll tax analysis.
• Calendar and track 90-day notices of deficiency, and help prepare U.S. Tax Court petitions, stipulations, and trial exhibits.
• Read and triage IRS notices and letters (e.g., CP14, CP501–CP504, LT11/Letter 1058, CP2000, CP3219A) and route them to the responsible attorney or CPA.
• Help resolve Comptroller of Maryland and DC Office of Tax and Revenue matters, including payment agreements, notices, and liens.
• Coordinate with the firm's CPA practice on return preparation, amended returns, and delinquent-filing projects that support resolution cases.

General

• Conduct legal research in landlord-tenant, real property, tax procedure, and civil litigation to support case preparation, including the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations, the Internal Revenue Manual, and the Maryland Code (Real Property and Tax-General Articles).
• Manage case files using document management systems like iManage and PCLaw, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Coordinate client interviews and gather information to support case development, including intake questionnaires for tax resolution and landlord-tenant matters.
• Support litigation by preparing pleadings, discovery requests, and correspondence in civil matters.
• Maintain schedules for court deadlines, IRS response dates, filings, and appointments, and provide executive administrative support as needed.
• Perform data entry, filing, and document review efficiently and accurately.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of landlord-tenant law, procedural law, and legal research methods using Westlaw or LexisNexis.
• Working knowledge of Maryland landlord-tenant procedure in the District Court, including summary ejectment, holdover, and breach-of-lease actions, and familiarity with county rental licensing and lead-paint compliance requirements.
• Working knowledge of IRS collection and examination procedures, collection alternatives, penalty relief, and taxpayer appeal rights.
• Ability to read and interpret IRS transcripts, transaction codes, and notices.
• Comfort with financial documents, including personal and business financial statements, bank records, profit-and-loss statements, and payroll records. Basic accounting or tax preparation experience is a strong plus.
• Experience with tax resolution software (e.g., Canopy, IRS Solutions, TaxStatus) and IRS e-Services is a plus.
• Experience with legal case management software such as PCLaw, document management systems like iManage, and word processing tools.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) for drafting documents, managing communications, and building financial schedules.
• Effective client communication skills and professional phone etiquette. Must be comfortable working with clients facing financial stress or housing instability, and able to communicate professionally with IRS revenue officers, examiners, and court clerks.
• Familiarity with legal writing, proofreading, and document review techniques to ensure clarity and precision.
• Ability to handle confidential information responsibly, with strict adherence to privacy standards and an understanding of attorney-client privilege and taxpayer confidentiality obligations.
• Knowledge of general and commercial litigation support practices and procedural rules.
• Strong project management skills for coordinating multiple cases and deadlines across courts and agencies.
• Bankruptcy or business law experience is a plus.

Pay: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Flexible spending account
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Jefferson, MD 21755

Salary : $25 - $35