Tax Collector

Answer 1

The job of a tax collector is one that dates back for centuries. In modern times, the position of a tax collector mostly involves following up on the work done by tax examiners, who review tax returns submitted by citizens and file them.

It’s also up to a tax examiner to notice any problems with filling out the forms or reporting income and alert the taxpayers accordingly. If the taxpayers do not respond or if they never filed a form in the first place, a tax collector must work with them to secure the missing funds. Sometimes they can help reduce the debt that is owed to the government; at other times, they take property from delinquent taxpayers in order to settle the debt.

Those who are interested in working as a tax collector need to get a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or finance, and a master’s is recommended, especially for someone who wants to advance. In order to work for the IRS, one must also have a year of experience in bookkeeping or tax examination. While finding a position with the Internal Revenue Service is extremely difficult, other positions are more easily attainable, and outlook is generally good for the immediate future of this field.

In order to succeed as a tax collector, one must have a persistent personality and be willing to deal with belligerent people. Securing funds that are owed to the government is often a difficult job, with some people refusing to pay and others unable. Strong computer skills are a definite plus, as much of the work that goes into investigating taxpayers is done on the computer, and excellent communication skills expedite a complex process.

The average salary for a tax collector ranges between about $35,000 and $63,000. Benefits for full-time collectors often include paid vacations, health insurance and savings for retirement. Most tax collectors work in offices, but their jobs are likely to include going out on the road to deal with delinquent taxpayers, and tax season generally translates to very long hours. Aside from the stress of facing angry citizens, tax collectors have a fairly serene work environment doing an important job.