How to Become a Tax Examiner

December 15, 2021

While the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be 4,300 openings for tax examiners each year between 2021 and 2031, on average, due to the need to replace workers who exit the labor force or transfer to other occupations.
Tax examiners play a critical role in ensuring that the U.S. government remains funded, since their job is to review tax returns to determine how much should be paid, then collect those taxes on behalf of the government.
Professional tax examiners are paid relatively well, with the BLS reporting they earn an annual median income of $56,780 as of May 2021.

Reviewing tax returns to ensure that all data provided is accurate.
Determining if taxpayers have filed taxes correctly, properly following applicable tax rules, regulations, and laws.
Providing filers with information about tax forms, including details on how to use and complete the forms accurately.
Helping filers complete tax forms when they have problems doing it themselves.
Determining if filers have paid enough taxes, or overpaid their taxes, then correcting any problems with the return.
Advising filers on how to minimize their taxes using adjustments, deductions, and credits.

Tax Return Skills – A tax examiner’s primary task is to understand all the laws and regulations regarding tax returns so that they can review tax returns and determine if they were completed properly. Familiarity with the process of filing taxes, tax codes, laws, and regulations will be of paramount importance here.
Technical Assistance Skills – Tax examiners need to assist with the many different forms and systems provided to people filing their tax returns. Since part of the job involves providing customer support, tax examiners need good people skills, customer service skills, and technical skills.
Critical Thinking Skills – The US tax code is incredibly complex and some processes or calculations are open to interpretation, an effective tax examiner needs to possess excellent critical thinking skills so he or she can determine whether or not people filing their taxes have done them properly.
Financial Literacy Skills – Tax examiners need to have traditional accounting skills so they can conduct audits, review financial paperwork, understand complex financial processes, and implement the rules and regulations governing tax filing. Without strong financial literacy skills, they couldn’t do their job effectively.
Attention to Detail – Because there’s so much involved in calculating a tax return, tax examiners need to be capable of paying close attention to detail, especially since they have to perform complex calculations without making any mistakes.

A general understanding of US tax laws and the ability to review complex financial documents like tax returns.
The ability to prepare, analyze, and confirm the accuracy of all sorts of financial records.
Best practices on organizing and maintaining complex financial records.

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