TAX NEWS - 2010

Alabama Tax: Joe Walls Appointed Taxpayer Advocate

New Assignments in State Revenue Department - Joe Walls Appointed Taxpayer Advocate; Voncile Catledge Named Collection Services Division Director

Montgomery -- Alabama Assistant Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Underwood recently announced two key personnel changes within the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR).

Joe Walls was named to the post of Taxpayer Advocate, effective June 1, 2010.  Prior to his appointment as Taxpayer Advocate, Mr. Walls, a career Revenue employee, served as manager of the department's Sales, Use, and Business Tax Administration Section. He brings to the Taxpayer Advocate post over 34 years of experience in the tax administration field.  Mr. Walls began his career with the ADOR in 1976 as an account clerk, and since that time, has held various supervisory and management positions throughout his career.

As Taxpayer Advocate, Mr. Walls will serve as an independent channel of assistance for those taxpayers who have followed standard procedures, but find their tax matters still unsatisfactorily resolved. The post of Taxpayer Advocate was established by law in 2000.  

Mr. Walls replaces Voncile Catledge, who was named director of the department's Collection Services Division, effective June 1.     

Ms. Catledge, a career employee, brings to her new assignment as director of the Collection Services Division over 31 years of experience in the audit and management areas of income and business taxes. Ms. Catledge began her career with the ADOR in 1979 as a tax auditor, and has held various audit supervisory and management positions throughout her tenure with the department.  In March 2009, she was named to the post of Taxpayer Advocate.

As Collection Services Division Director, Ms. Catledge oversees the collection of final tax assessments for all ADOR tax divisions, excluding the Property Tax Division. 

Ms. Catledge replaced Director Dwight Pridgen, who retired in May.

"Both Joe and Voncile bring a wealth of knowledge from all facets of the department," said Assistant Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Underwood.  "Their commitment to jobs well done and their leadership styles set high standards within the department. We welcome them to their new assignments."