Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Human Advantage 72%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.5 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.
Also Known As: Adjustment Examiner, Block Advisor, City Collector, City Tax Auditor, Collections Specialist, Collector, Corporate Tax Associate, Credentialed Tax Expert +61 more
Core Tasks
- Send notices to taxpayers when accounts are delinquent.
- Confer with taxpayers or their representatives to discuss the issues, laws, and regulations involved in returns, and to resolve problems with returns.
- Notify taxpayers of any overpayment or underpayment, and either issue a refund or request further payment.
- Maintain records for each case, including contacts, telephone numbers, and actions taken.
- Contact taxpayers by mail or telephone to address discrepancies and to request supporting documentation.
- Answer questions from taxpayers and assist them in completing tax forms.
Supplemental Tasks (15)
- Collect taxes from individuals or businesses according to prescribed laws and regulations.
- Determine appropriate methods of debt settlement, such as offers of compromise, wage garnishment, or seizure and sale of property.
- Check tax forms to verify that names and taxpayer identification numbers are correct, that computations have been performed correctly, or that amounts match those on supporting documentation.
- Examine and analyze tax assets and liabilities to determine resolution of delinquent tax problems.
- Impose payment deadlines on delinquent taxpayers and monitor payments to ensure that deadlines are met.
- Direct service of legal documents, such as subpoenas, warrants, notices of assessment, and garnishments.
- Review filed tax returns to determine whether claimed tax credits and deductions are allowed by law.
- 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.
- Review selected tax returns to determine the nature and extent of audits to be performed on them.
- Examine accounting systems and records to determine whether accounting methods used were appropriate and in compliance with statutory provisions.
- Participate in informal appeals hearings on contested cases from other agents.
- Prepare briefs and assist in searching and seizing records to prepare charges and documentation for court cases.
- Enter tax return information into computers for processing.
- Secure a taxpayer's agreement to discharge a tax assessment or submit contested determinations to other administrative or judicial conferees for appeals hearings.
Education & Training
Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (22)
Tools & Equipment (8)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks 78% match
Zone 3
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents You are here
Zone 5
Survey Researchers 78% match
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