What Do Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents Do?

Job Description & Duties Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

List of Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent Job Duties

• Answer questions from taxpayers and assist them in completing tax forms.
• Maintain knowledge of tax code changes, and of accounting procedures and theory to properly evaluate financial information.
• Investigate claims of inability to pay taxes by researching court information for the status of liens, mortgages, or financial statements, or by locating assets through third parties.
• Maintain records for each case, including contacts, telephone numbers, and actions taken.
• Direct service of legal documents, such as subpoenas, warrants, notices of assessment, and garnishments.
• Secure a taxpayer’s agreement to discharge a tax assessment or submit contested determinations to other administrative or judicial conferees for appeals hearings.

Qualities of a Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent

Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Types of Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents

• Administrative Specialist
• Deputy Clerk
• Verifier
• Tax Collector
• Collector of Port

Job Opportunities for Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents

There were about 62,100 jobs for Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents in 2016 (in the United States).

Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent jobs are decreasing by a rate of -0.6%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -400 jobs for Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents by 2026. The BLS estimates 4,200 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents are Florida, Georgia, and Virginia.

Watch out if you plan on working in Missouri, Kentucky, or California. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents Make between $32,500 and $101,120 a year. The median salary is $54,440.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alaska	$89,450
Connecticut	$84,990
Kansas	$78,330
Illinois	$77,970
Arizona	$75,590
New Jersey	$74,380
Michigan	$73,940
Hawaii	$72,410
Rhode Island	$72,190
Massachusetts	$70,780
New York	$70,560
North Dakota	$67,120
Iowa	$67,060
California	$66,600
Ohio	$66,440
Washington	$65,170
Colorado	$64,980
Minnesota	$64,700
Wisconsin	$62,950
Delaware	$62,230
Maryland	$60,990
North Carolina	$59,970
Nebraska	$59,500
Montana	$59,270
Oregon	$58,630
Texas	$58,040
Vermont	$57,390
Wyoming	$57,100
Alabama	$56,860
Tennessee	$55,950
New Hampshire	$55,770
Arkansas	$55,670
Maine	$54,690
South Carolina	$54,420
Virginia	$53,870
Indiana	$52,940
Idaho	$52,430
South Dakota	$52,300
Louisiana	$51,510
Georgia	$50,490
Utah	$49,680
Oklahoma	$49,250
West Virginia	$49,230
Pennsylvania	$48,580
Kentucky	$48,540
Missouri	$47,590
Florida	$47,300
New Mexico	$46,850
Mississippi	$45,590

What Tools do Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents:

• Microsoft Access
• Intuit QuickBooks
• Microsoft Outlook
• SAP
• Microsoft Word
• Tax software
• ADP Workforce Now
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Fund accounting software

How do I Become a Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent?

Are there Tax Examiner, Collector, or Revenue Agent education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents Work

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents might also be interested in the following careers:

• Regulatory Affairs Specialists
• Accountants
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Those who work as Tax Examiners, Collectors, and Revenue Agents sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
• Real Estate Brokers

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons