Photo: AgnesAbah (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Job description
Much of the work involves reviewing individual or business tax filings for discrepancies, then contacting taxpayers by phone or mail to request documentation or resolve disputed amounts. Cases can range from a simple missing form to a more involved audit requiring judgment calls about what the law and regulations actually require, and examiners keep detailed records on every case they handle. Many of these roles are with federal, state, or local government agencies, and experienced examiners can move into more complex audit or revenue agent work.
Pros
- Pay can reach $114k+ for experienced revenue agents, well above entry-level office roles
- Only vocational training, apprenticeship, or an associate's degree is required, not a four-year degree
- Standard indoor desk work with a consistent 40-45 hour week
Cons
- Employment in this field is projected to shrink over the next decade (-1.8%)
- Only about 4,300 positions nationwide, so opportunities are limited
- Regularly dealing with frustrated or upset taxpayers as a core part of the job
A typical day
The queue this morning holds a dozen flagged returns, and the first one has a dependent claimed by two different filers -- a puzzle solved with records, not accusations. Mid-morning is phone time: a taxpayer set up on a payment plan, another walked through exactly which document will clear their case. The afternoon's field audit review compares a small business's reported income against bank deposits, with every discrepancy documented to the cent. The day closes with case notes, because each file must let the next examiner pick up precisely where this one stopped.
Tasks at the job
- Contact taxpayers by mail or telephone to address discrepancies and to request supporting documentation.
- Confer with taxpayers or their representatives to discuss the issues, laws, and regulations involved in returns, and to resolve problems with returns.
- Answer questions from taxpayers and assist them in completing tax forms.
- Send notices to taxpayers when accounts are delinquent.
- Maintain records for each case, including contacts, telephone numbers, and actions taken.
- Notify taxpayers of any overpayment or underpayment, and either issue a refund or request further payment.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting, and most of the day is spent sitting at a desk.
There's a regular, moderate amount of time pressure, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. Precision and accuracy are essential to the work. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job.
Education necessary or common
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or associate's degree
Licenses & certifications
- Enrolled Agent (EA, optional advancement)
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- Accounting or business math -- the daily toolkit
- Algebra II -- comfort moving through numbers quickly
- English -- letters to taxpayers must be clear and correct
- AP US Government -- tax administration is government in action
- Computer applications -- case systems and spreadsheets
Clubs, activities & competitions
- FBLA -- accounting and business competitions
- Treasurer role in any club -- real recordkeeping accountability
- VITA volunteer tax preparation when age-eligible
- Part-time work with cash handling
First steps you can take now
- Learn to read a 1040 line by line using the IRS's own instructions
- Volunteer with a VITA free tax-prep program (training provided, age rules vary)
- Serve as treasurer for a school club and keep flawless books
- Look up state revenue department entry roles and their requirements
