Tax Collectors Salary Information
Career News November 15, 2013The average salary for a tax collector is about $55,000. This includes state and federal tax collectors, and you can expect that the federal government will pay more than the usual figure. The tax collector profession at the federal level is expected to increase, leading to more job openings.
Although a degree is not always required for local and state positions, the federal government often does require a bachelor’s degree. Considering the changes in tax codes, enforcement officer positions in the federal government are expected to increase, leading to more job openings.
The most obvious drawback to a tax collector’s position is that you can find yourself in confrontational situations during collection, and there is always stress involved with collecting debt. For those who like particular work hours should understand that during tax seasons, overtime is often required, as well as unusual hours in the field. Another problem for some is that travel may be required, to meet with or investigate the tax obligations of people.
The Job of a Tax Collector
The basic duties include collecting unpaid taxes from individuals or businesses, according to prescribed tax codes and associated regulations. The first duty is the process of checking of tax forms, in order to verify names and taxpayer identification numbers are correct. The worker also verifies that computations are accurate and that all the numbers match supporting documentation.
You will be expected to notify taxpayers of any underpayment or the rare overpayment. You will be issuing a refund or request further payment, depending on the outcome of your investigation. To do this, you are expected to keep up on all current tax codes and proposed changes.
A tax collector can cover a wide variety of jobs. It can be the person dealing with the annual barrage of 1040ez’s, or an administrator hired to oversee other collectors doing their various duties. Within the overall job of a tax collector, there should be significant opportunity for advancement, by changing employers and or job locations.
What Will You Earn?
No one can say with certainty what your salary would be. Each local, state, or federal operation has its own pay schedule, which changes regularly. The most often seen starting income is in the $29,000 range. That salary could be affected by any available bonuses or scheduled annual raise. There seems to be plenty of opportunity to advance and earn more, based on performance.
Pursuing a career as a tax collector requires a bachelor’s degree and a willingness to work odd hours and with people. For those willing to meet the challenges, the benefits are often significant, and training is minimal. A bachelor’s degree may be all that is required to land an entry-level position in this field.
With work experience, you can excel in a field that is important and that ultimately helps consumers pay off their debts. You can contact UMCP, or a school of your choice, for more information about a job in tax collection.
