How Do I Become a Tax Collector?

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Are you looking forward to becoming a tax collector? Tax collectors are officers who work with the government to collect tax from business enterprises and individuals. This is a job that requires a wide range of skills that are vital to success. The work is demanding, of course, and workers are expected to have computer skills, communication skills, negotiating skills, and patience.

You are also expected to possess leadership and analytical skills. If you have these skills, have healthy self-confidence and work well with others, then you might be the right candidate for a lucrative government position.

What Does a Tax Collector Do?

As a tax collector, you should be ready to work under pressure for long time. Tax collectors act as mediators between the government and taxpayers. You have to talk politely to taxpayers who have financial constraints to ensure they abide by the law. This requires you to have good communication skills. You have to negotiate with others as a tax collector, and not merely bark orders.

Tax collectors are flexible because at times they have to travel to tax payers’ homes to investigate accounts, assets, and compile reports before a deadline. Deadlines are crucial, so you should have the means to work under pressure. You have to understand tax regulations, which are fundamental to this job.

Tax collectors are independent. They also have to stay up to date and keep the auditing books clean. You can learn a great deal by attend training offered by employers. The training will help you sharpen your skills regarding tax-related issues and auditing as well. As a tax collector, you have to plan when and how to collect debts from tax payers. You have to manage your time independently and keep excellent records.

Education Required for a Tax Collector

This is a professional job that requires you to have quality education from a recognized and accredited institution. Many tax collectors have Bachelor’s Degrees. This will help you to get a job with the IRS, but with a higher-level degree, there is an even greater possibility of finding a job and faster advancement.

The subjects that you have to tackle if you desire to be a professional tax collector are accounting, criminal justice, finance and business. Training is vital for this career. It might take about two years depending on the complexity of the job. If the job is more difficult, more time will be taken during training. During this time, you’ll also have to travel from one place to another to attend meetings and get to learn tax laws and technicalities that are involved.

Compensation

The salaries for tax collectors vary depending on the qualifications and the government under which one is working. On average, tax collectors earn $50,440 annually, according to the Bureau Labor Statistics.

Tax collection makes for a promising career path with excellent rewards. If you enjoy working with numbers and have a way with people, you can excel in a field that has high demand.