Should I Consider Becoming a Tax Collector?

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Tax collectors deal with overdue accounts. To find out if you could be the right candidate to become a tax collector, ask yourself a couple questions.

•Do you find yourself enjoying mathematics on a regular basis?
•Can you analyze massive amounts of data without making errors?
•Do you like to research?
•Have you had any type of accounting experience?
•If required, can you be aggressive?
•Are you good with money?
•Can you meet deadlines?

These are some of the questions you should ask before making a decision. If you can answer yes to most of these, you could be an excellent candidate for a tax collector position.

What Does a Tax Collector Do?

The process normally starts with a revenue agent or tax examiner who sends a report to the taxpayer regarding money owed. If the tax payer makes any effort to pay, it is then assigned to a tax collector. They work with the tax payer to collect monies owed. Settlements may involve payment plans. If taxes are delinquent and payers say that they are unable to pay collectors, this launches an investigation conducted by the tax collector. He or she will check mortgages, finance statements, bank accounts, real estate, vehicles and wages. The collectors will then decide whether the Internal Revenue Service should place a lien on all properties and assets. They may garnish wages, and if payment is still not satisfied, they may foreclose.

Tax collectors work primarily in office settings while others will spend most of their time on the road conducting audits in taxpayer’s homes and places of business. They work for federal, state and local governments and may work for the Internal Revenue Service. A background check may be required if you are employed by the IRS.

Tax Collector Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, tax collectors at the lowest 10% make around $30,000; the median level pays around $50,000 and at the highest 10%, they make around $92,000. Educational requirements for a bachelor’s degree are in accounting, auditing, and tax compliance. To work for the Internal Revenue Service, it is required that you have a bachelor’s degree or one year of specialized experience such as loan officer, credit manager, background in collections, management, customer service or tax compliance. Education in business, finance, accounting and criminal justice are desired by employers. You are encouraged to continue higher education by attending meetings to gain more knowledge about changes and methods for collections. You will get both formal education as well as on the job training under the supervision of other tax professionals.

Skills needed include computer skills, impeccable people skills, organizational skills, analytical skills, and leadership skills.

When searching for the right college, you may want to ask about financial assistance to help you pay for college. You may also want to see what their flexibility and hours of class schedules may be. Make sure the college meets your learning curve and fits your lifestyle. There may even be online classes available that can better fit your needs.

This is an exciting opportunity for a person who is qualified, good with numbers, and eager to work in an exciting career field.