Tax and Revenue Collector Careers Information
As the saying goes, nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. For those who try to get out of the latter, there are tax and revenue collectors to set them straight. These tax workers are given the delinquent (non) taxpayer accounts and charged with collecting the money owed.
Tax and Revenue Collector Careers & Degrees
- Grand Canyon University: Online
Jones International University: Online
Colorado Technical University - Undergraduate: Undergraduate - Online
Tax and revenue collectors may work at the federal, state, or local level. Though somewhat of a thankless job, it is necessary for making sure everyone pays his or her fair share for the municipal services we all rely upon.
When a tax and revenue collector is given an account, he must first try to contact the delinquent taxpayer. Sometimes the taxpayer will have made a mistake on his taxes and is unaware his account has been flagged; this can easily happen with businesses, too, as their tax law is even more complex. In situations such as these the job of tax and revenue collector is as easy as collecting the necessary tax and possibly some fine, as the case may warrant.
Other times, however, when the owner of the delinquent account isn’t so helpful and refuses to pay, or hasn’t even filed a tax form, a collector must figure out just how much is owed and what assets the delinquent taxpayer has. Armed with this data, the collector may decide to take a lien, that is, a claim on some asset, like a car or home, or garnish the taxpayer’s wages.
Tax and Revenue Collector Careers Path
For those who wish to work at the federal level, a Bachelor’s degree is required. At the state and local level, an Associate’s degree or some college with additional experience will often suffice. Degrees or coursework in accounting or finance are the most common for collectors, though because of the unique nature of the job, a background in criminal justice may also be helpful.
After being hired, collectors can expect to receive on the job training and should be prepared to continue their professional education throughout their careers.
Tax and Revenue Collector Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Good with people, excellent communication skills, strong analytic skills, diplomatic, good negotiator, tenacious, hard-working, patient, able to work under high stress, willing to travel into the field for research.
Tax and Revenue Collector Careers: Salary Expectations
The average salary for tax and revenue collectors is $48,100 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $36,590 and $66,730. With more experience, a tax and revenue collector may be able to move into more managerial role and therefore earn a higher salary.
Like in most government jobs, collectors can expect to receive vacation and sick days, retirement plans, and health insurance as part of their employment package.
Tax and Revenue Collector Careers: Job Outlook
In general, the job outlook for tax and revenue collectors in the coming years is good. Though automation may reduce the need for examiners, collectors will still be needed to deal with delinquent accounts and to replace those who will soon be retiring.
Because the federal government is expected to more closely scrutinize the books of large companies, which have complex financials, those collectors with the most knowledge of tax regulations will have the best chance of landing and keeping the best paying jobs.
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos260.htm
