New Taxpayer Rights Advocate Appointed at NYS Tax Department
Camille Siano Enders brings record of success in advocacy and legal services
For Release: Immediate, Monday, January 28, 2013
Contact: Geoffrey Gloak, 518-457-7377
New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance today announced the appointment of Camille Siano Enders to serve as Taxpayer Rights Advocate.
In her new role, Siano Enders will oversee the Office of Taxpayer Rights Advocate, an independent organization within the Tax Department. The office acts as a mediator between the Department and taxpayers. It assists taxpayers whose tax problems are causing undue economic harm or whose issues aren't resolved through normal Department channels.
"Camille is highly skilled in developing successful advocacy strategies and programs," said Commissioner Mattox. "She has a range of professional experience and a focus on service to others that will allow her to engage immediately in assisting taxpayers, promoting taxpayer rights and identifying opportunities to improve the state's tax administration system."
Since the Office was established in October 2009, it has resolved thousands of taxpayer cases, nearly 75% of which resulted in full or partial relief for the taxpayer. It also has been instrumental in recommending administrative and legislative tax reforms, including changes to the Department's Offer-in-Compromise program and the establishment of a statute of limitations on collection of liability.
Ms. Siano Enders will be the second individual to fill the Advocate position, succeeding Jack Trachtenberg who left the position for the private sector.
"The role of the Taxpayer Rights Advocate is critical to the fairness and efficiency of the tax system in New York," said Mr. Trachtenberg. "The Advocate not only gives taxpayers an avenue to address issues that might otherwise go unresolved, but also provides a critical feedback loop to improve the overall functioning of the Department. I wish Ms. Siano Enders well in her new role and extend my congratulations to her."
Ms. Siano Enders most recently served as deputy director (acting) at the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, Administrative Review Division. In addition to 16 years in other state level public service roles, she served as a private sector litigator.
The new Advocate has a long history and great passion for serving the under-represented. She is a founding member of the Capital District Women's Bar Association Legal Project Inc. The Project established free legal clinics for domestic violence victims, and provides a variety of free and low-cost legal services to the working poor, victims of domestic violence and other underserved individuals in the Capital Region.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University at Albany in 1991 and a law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in May 1994.
● Learn more about the Office of Taxpayer Rights Advocate at
http://www.tax.ny.gov/tra● Follow the Tax Department on Twitter and YouTube