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Tax Controversy Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

... Managing relationships with external advisors on tax controversy matters - Developing strong working relationships among cross-functional teams, including Legal, Accounting, HR, and other teams ...

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Tax Controversy Manager information

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$55K

$129.4K

$176K

How much do tax controversy manager jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for tax controversy manager in the United States is $129,367.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $145,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tax Controversy Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tax Controversy Manager, you need expertise in tax law, audit processes, and dispute resolution, generally supported by a CPA, JD, or relevant tax qualifications. Familiarity with tax research tools, case management systems, and compliance software is essential. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly are vital soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial to effectively manage disputes, minimize client exposure, and ensure favorable outcomes in dealings with tax authorities.

How does a Tax Controversy Manager typically interact with legal and finance teams during an audit or dispute?

As a Tax Controversy Manager, you play a key liaison role between your organization’s tax department, legal counsel, and finance teams during audits or tax disputes. You’ll collaborate closely with legal advisors to develop defense strategies, ensure documentation is legally compliant, and communicate complex tax positions. Additionally, you will work with finance teams to gather supporting financial data and ensure accurate, timely responses to regulatory inquiries. This cross-functional collaboration is essential for effective risk management and achieving favorable outcomes in audits or disputes.

What are Tax Controversy Managers?

Tax Controversy Managers are professionals who specialize in managing and resolving disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities, such as the IRS or state agencies. They oversee cases that involve audits, appeals, tax litigation, and negotiations related to tax compliance issues. Their role includes developing strategies to minimize liabilities, representing clients in discussions with tax authorities, and ensuring that all actions comply with relevant tax laws and regulations. Tax Controversy Managers often work for accounting firms, law firms, or within corporate tax departments, and they play a crucial role in protecting their clients' financial interests.

What is the difference between Tax Controversy Manager vs Tax Analyst?

AspectTax Controversy ManagerTax Analyst
CredentialsCPA or JD often preferredCPA or related degree
Work EnvironmentLegal and audit settings, client-facingCorporate finance, compliance, reporting
Employer & IndustryTax firms, corporations, government agenciesCorporations, accounting firms, government
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding dispute resolution rolesTax compliance and reporting roles

The main difference is that a Tax Controversy Manager focuses on resolving tax disputes and representing clients before tax authorities, often requiring legal or CPA credentials. In contrast, a Tax Analyst primarily handles tax compliance, reporting, and analysis within organizations. While both roles require tax knowledge, the controversy manager deals more with dispute resolution and legal issues, whereas the analyst concentrates on tax data and financial reporting.

More about Tax Controversy Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Tax Controversy Manager jobs? Cities with the most Tax Controversy Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Tax Controversy jobs? The most popular types of Tax Controversy jobs are:
What states have the most Tax Controversy Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Tax Controversy Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Tax Controversy Manager job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,367 per year, or $62.2 per hour.
Associate Manager Tax Controversy

Associate Manager Tax Controversy

Johnson Controls

Milwaukee, WI

$100K - $134K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Johnson Controls rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 385 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

131st of 511 rated manufacturers


Job description

Build your best future with the Johnson Controls team

As a global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Join a winning team that enables you to build your best future! Our teams are uniquely positioned to support a multitude of industries across the globe. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful work projects and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with an experience, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Become a member of the Johnson Controls family and thrive in an empowering company culture where your voice and ideas will be heard - your next great opportunity is just a few clicks away!

What we offer

  • Competitive salary
  • Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
  • Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care
  • On the job/cross training opportunities
  • Encouraging and collaborative team environment
  • Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy

What You Will Do

Under the general direction of the Tax Counsel, Tax Controversy, you'll play a key role in end-to-end US federal and state tax controversy-owning issues from initial request to resolution. You'll research and defend the company's technical positions, help shape audit strategy, partner with cross-functional teams to deliver clear, timely responses, and support day-to-day relationships with tax authorities. If you're a CPA or lawyer who thrives in fast-moving, high-visibility work, this is a chance to jump in and make an immediate impact on active disputes.

How You Will Do It

  • Drive responses to tax authority requests and notices (e.g., IDRs, NOPAs, proposed adjustments, protests), ensuring accuracy, consistency, and a strong technical story.
  • Own controversy documentation: organize workpapers, correspondence, and issue trackers using audit management tools.
  • Build strong relationships across Treasury, Legal, HR, and business stakeholders to quickly translate facts into defensible tax positions.
  • Research and analyze complex federal tax issues-plus select international and transfer pricing topics-to support positions, quantify exposure, and evaluate settlement options.
  • Coordinate with external advisors to align on strategy, manage deliverables, and keep matters moving toward resolution.
  • Spot opportunities to streamline-improving templates, trackers, and workflows-and leverage technology to raise the quality and speed of our controversy support.
  • Partner with tax planning, transfer pricing, compliance, and finance to build audit-ready files and deliver crisp, well-supported responses to IRS and state inquiries.

Why You'll Love This Role

  • High-visibility ownership: you'll run real issues end-to-end and see your work directly influence audit outcomes.
  • A strong fit for Big 4 or Big law talent: bring your federal technical chops and client-service instincts in-house-without losing the pace or complexity.
  • Cross-functional exposure: partner with planning, transfer pricing, finance, legal, and business teams to build fact patterns and craft positions.
  • Room to build: help improve templates, trackers, and processes-leaving the function stronger than you found it.

What We Look For

  • 4+ years of experience in public accounting (Big 4 strongly preferred) or in-house, with a focus on US federal corporate tax; controversy/exam experience is a plus.
  • CPA, admission to the bar of at least one state, or other professional certification strongly preferred.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple competing deadlines.
  • Self-motivated and an ability to work independently.
  • Comfort with common tax/accounting systems and audit/controversy tools (e.g., Corptax, HFM/OneStream, Bloomberg Corporate Tax Analyzer, Deloitte Tax Controversy Manager, or similar).
  • Clear, confident communicator who can distill technical issues for both tax and non-tax audiences.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to effectively handle and resolve tax-related issues.
  • Ability to maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, external advisors, and tax authorities.

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $100,000 - $134,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the

Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us

#LI-Hybrid

Johnson Controls International plc. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To view more information about your equal opportunity and non-discrimination rights as a candidate, visit EEO is the Law. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please visit here.


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About Johnson Controls

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Johnson Controls is a world leader in smart buildings, creating safe, healthy and sustainable spaces. For nearly 140 years, we’ve made buildings better and now we’re transforming them again with our award-winning digital technologies and services. We’re using artificial intelligence and data driven solutions to give you deeper insight into your building’s health, sustainability and performance. It’s changing the way we design, operate and maintain indoor environments and driving to a new era of autonomous buildings. We deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, hotels, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive suite of connected solutions. Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology, software and services. Supported by a team of more than 100,000 dedicated employees working across 150 countries, we’re helping customers achieve their sustainability goals and power their mission.

Industry

Machinery manufacturing, water transportation, public safety statistics centers and offices and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Milwaukee, WI, US