Job Description of a Tax Collector
Tax collectors are also referred to as revenue officers by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They deal with delinquent tax accounts and tax offenders, and support government agencies in collecting unpaid taxes from both citizens and businesses.
Other People Are Reading
-
Job Profile
-
Tax collectors are responsible for settling unpaid tax debts. Tax collectors have the authority to issue subpoenas and request seizures of property. They conduct background checks and research the status of claims, liens, mortgages and other financial obligations. Tax collectors use this information to choose between accepting a lien to settle the tax debt, or garnishing wages to collect the taxes owed.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
-
The competencies required to carry out the responsibilities of a tax collector include knowledge of laws, legal codes and court procedures, customer service principles, basic mathematics and clerical procedures; and skills in active listening, interpersonal communications, critical thinking and complex problem solving. Deductive reasoning and problem sensitivity are particularly useful skills for tax collectors.
-
Education and Professional Experience
-
Most government agencies that hire tax collectors require candidates to have training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience or an associate's degree. Candidates with a bachelor of science degree in business, accounting, or finance are preferred.
Compensation
-
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, reported median annual earnings of $48,550 for all tax collectors, examiners and revenue agents, as of 2009. National income trends from Indeed.com place the median annual wages of tax collectors in the United States at $35,000, as of 2010, while the average earnings of jobs with similar or related titles, including revenue specialist and insurance collector are $31,000. Factors such as level of government and occupational specialty can affect a tax collector's compensation.
Career Advancement Opportunities
-
Advancement potential for tax collectors employed by federal, state and local agencies varies. According to 2008 research conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, tax collectors with demonstrated leadership skills and advanced knowledge of debt collection may advance to supervisory or managerial collector positions.
-
References
- Photo Credit tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
