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Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Typical education: Associate degreeLower pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $62,370 Median per year · $29.98/hr Most earn $42,000–$114,550

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Prepare briefs and assist in searching and seizing records to prepare charges and documentation for court cases.
  • Secure a taxpayer's agreement to discharge a tax assessment or submit contested determinations to other administrative or judicial conferees for appeals hearings.
  • Impose payment deadlines on delinquent taxpayers and monitor payments to ensure that deadlines are met.
  • Notify taxpayers of any overpayment or underpayment, and either issue a refund or request further payment.
  • Direct service of legal documents, such as subpoenas, warrants, notices of assessment, and garnishments.
  • Prepare briefs and assist in searching and seizing records to prepare charges and documentation for court cases.

Job outlook

United States
1% fewer jobs by 2035, little or no change · about 4,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service46.1%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals34.7%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals19.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

This is usually not a job you start straight out of school. Most people first earn an associate degree or similar training, then work 1 to 2 years in a related tax or accounting role before moving into tax examining, collecting, or revenue agent work.

  1. Associate degree in accounting or business

    2 years

    You learn basic accounting, tax rules, and business math, which gives you the foundation for tax work.

  2. Tax Preparer

    1-2 years

    You prepare returns and learn how individual and business tax laws are applied to real cases, which builds the experience employers look for.

  3. Tax Examiner and Collector, and Revenue Agent

    Ongoing career

    You review tax filings, decide how much tax is owed, and collect taxes according to laws and regulations.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Revenue Agent

    3-5 years of experience first

    You handle more complex cases, often with less supervision, and may train or guide newer examiners and agents.

  2. Financial Examiner

    1-2 years of experience first

    You shift toward examining the finances of banks and other institutions, which usually requires a bachelor's degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math classes like algebra, geometry, and statisticsStrong math skills make accounting and tax courses in college much easier.
  • Join a business, finance, or future-accountants clubMany schools have these clubs, where you can practice budgeting and learn about careers in accounting and tax.
  • Take a business or economics class if your school offers oneIt introduces you to how money, taxes, and businesses work.
  • Get a starter job that involves handling money or recordsWorking as a cashier or in a family shop helps you build accuracy and customer skills.
  • Volunteer with a free tax-help program in your communityMany towns run volunteer sites that help people file taxes, which shows you the work up close.

In college

  • Enroll in an accounting or business program at a community collegeAn associate degree in accounting is the typical starting point for this career.
  • Take courses in federal taxation and bookkeepingThese classes teach the tax rules and record-keeping skills you will use every day in this job.
  • Get a part-time job in bookkeeping, payroll, or a tax officeEntry-level work gives you the 1-2 years of related experience employers commonly expect.
  • Earn a tax preparer certification or course credentialMany schools and towns offer tax preparation training that builds practical skills and your resume.
  • Join an accounting or finance student organizationClubs offer networking, speakers from the field, and chances to practice skills with peers.

Tips for getting started

  • Take math and statistics seriously, since tax work relies on careful number checking and clear reasoning.
  • Look for part-time or seasonal work in tax offices or bookkeeping to get hands-on experience while you study.
  • Learn the basics of tax rules early by reading IRS publications for individuals and small businesses, which are free and public.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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