Tax Policy Research Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) seeks a state tax policy professional (Senior Analyst) to join our State Policy Team. Our dedicated, congenial, influential staff works with policymakers andpartners to research, support, and develop tax policies that address inequality.

The Senior Analyst will report to ITEP’s State Policy Director, collaborate closely with our research, data, and communications teams, and be a resource to our network of partner organizations. This role requires deep familiarity with state tax policy and strong analytical and quantitative skills.

The Senior Analyst will be responsible for: analyzing policies for assigned states using ITEP’s microsimulation tax model; maintaining regular engagement with researchers, advocates, and lawmakers; authoring 50-state tax policy research reports, briefs and blog posts; testifying and presenting on tax policy proposals across the country; educating the public through media appearances; and working with lawmakers and policy organizations to advance equitable, sustainable tax policies at the state and local levels. Success in this role requires precision, rigorous quality control, a deep quantitative skillset, initiative, responsiveness, and the ability to work effectively across teams and partnerships.

• A proven researcher with eight or more years of relevant work experience (this includes time spent receiving advanced degrees)
• Bachelor’s degree required, relevant advanced degree preferred
• Deep understanding of tax policy; preference for state-level tax policy experience
• Very strong quantitative reasoning and data analysis skills, including aptitude for applying those skills within the highly sophisticated user interface of ITEP’s microsimulation model. Excel proficiency required; experience querying data with SQL very helpful; experience with statistical analysis tools like Stata, R, or Python likely transferrable.
• Commitment to organizational goals of advancing equitable, sustainable tax policy
• Careful attention to detail, especially when analyzing tax forms, statutes, and the intricacies of complex data sources
• Ability to communicate clearly aloud and in writing about complex policy issues
• Ability to work well independently and as a team player in a collaborative environment, often under tight deadlines
• Ability to complete the job responsibilities described below

• Develop and maintain knowledge of current state tax policy and economic issues in assigned states. The Senior Analyst will work on a range of cross-state issues but will have a particular focus on a cohort of between 10-15 states.
• Model tax policy changes using ITEP’s microsimulation tax model, regularly maintaining and reevaluating state tax laws. Communicate and coordinate with ITEP’s data team to efficiently advance projects
• Provide technical assistance, policy expertise, and strategic guidance to partners and policymakers seeking to build more equitable and adequate state and local tax codes. This can be time-sensitive
• Build and sustain external relationships with other researchers, government finance officers, nonprofit partners and policymakers
• Manage research projects, coordinating with internal teams and external experts, develop and build out issue expertise, manage timelines; write reports, briefs, blogs, and op-eds on state tax policy issues
• Review and analyze fiscal and economic data
• Represent ITEP at events, meetings, speaking engagements, and in media interviews
• Contribute to the tax policy field, and the public discourse, by researching and writing on new and underexplored issues; specific topics will be determined based on the policy landscape and the organization’s needs
• Lead assigned components and bring new and innovative thinking to ITEP’s flagship report, Who Pays?, which analyzes the distribution of state and local taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia

The position may be based anywhere in the continental U.S. ITEP’s office is located in Washington, DC, however remote-working arrangements are possible for this position.

This is a full-time position. Standard days and hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with some flexibility in those start and end times. The Senior Analyst must be generally available between core work hours of 10am- 4pm ET.

Occasional travel for staff retreats, state testimony, and conferences will be expected.

This is a full-time exempt position with a salary range of $85,000 – $105,000. ITEP offers a generous benefits package, including:

• One hundred percent of the premium for health and dental insurance for employees and their dependents.
• 403(B) plan to which ITEP contributes 10% of employee’s salary.
• Generous PTO, including flexible time off with approval, 14 paid holidays, and a winter closure between Christmas Eve and New Years Day.
• Flexibility to work remotely.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment.
• After five years, staff are eligible to request a six-week paid sabbatical.

ITEP is an amazing place to work. We encourage you to apply if you meet at least 80% of the qualifications, skills, and attributes listed above. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) is a non-profit, data-driven research organization that analyzes federal, state, and local tax policies. Our work demonstrates the need to raise more revenue from corporations and wealthy individuals to fund public priorities.

For decades, ITEP has been a leader in tax policy modeling and analysis. Our research shapes tax policy debates by showing how taxes affect people across income, race, and geography. Our unique microsimulation model demonstrates who pays taxes, while our corporate tax research documents corporate tax avoidance. This work steers the debate about how taxes can enable public investment, enhance economic and racial equity, and improve lives.

ITEP is committed to equal opportunity in all employment practices, including to employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and actively recruit and value individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Nothing in this job description or posting guarantees employment.