Tax Examiners & Collectors, & Revenue Agents

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Governments provide services and infrastructure such as schools and roads… how is it all paid for? Taxes provide income to pay government costs, and tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents ensure that governments receive tax money that is owed by businesses and citizens. Tax examiners deal with simple tax returns filed by small businesses and individual taxpayers. They review returns and enter them into a computer system for processing, ensuring that credits and deductions are lawful. They also may contact individual taxpayers to resolve issues. Collectors deal with overdue accounts. If a taxpayer makes no effort to pay, the case is assigned to a collector to settle the debt, whether by setting up a payment plan, claiming assets, or taking a portion of earned wages to collect taxes owed. Revenue agents specialize in tax-related accounting for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and for state and local governments. Like tax examiners, they review returns. However, revenue agents handle complicated tax returns from large businesses and corporations Most tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents work full time, in an office environment; some conduct field audits in taxpayers’ homes or places of business. Generally, a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is required to enter these fields, although education and experience requirements vary by position and employer.