A revenue officer is a crucial employee of a government or public agency tasked with collecting delinquent taxes or fees. This role involves direct contact with individuals or businesses in arrears on payments, operating on a case-by-case basis.
At the federal level, these officers are employed by agencies such as the IRS in the United States and the CRA in Canada. State and local tax departments also hire revenue officers, often under the job title of tax collector.
Key Takeaways
- Revenue officers are responsible for collecting overdue taxes or fees owed to government agencies.
- In the U.S., revenue officers focus on tax collection, while revenue agents conduct tax audits.
- Despite being government officials, revenue officers do not carry firearms or have arresting authority.
Responsibilities of a Revenue Officer
Revenue officers primarily engage in collecting debts for their employing agencies, with roles varying between countries.
Responsibilities in Canada
In Canada, excise tax revenue officers have a broader scope including audit, advisory, and legal roles.
Responsibilities in the U.S.
In the U.S., IRS revenue officers focus on collecting delinquent and overdue tax returns. Key duties involve:
- Conducting face-to-face interviews with taxpayers.
- Analyzing financial information to assess payment capacity.
- Designing payment plans for tax arrears.
- Garnishing wages and seizing property to settle overdue taxes.
U.S. IRS revenue officers may also file for extensions on tax collection statutes of limitations and initiate legal actions.
Special Considerations
While IRS revenue officers are government officials, they neither carry firearms nor have arresting powers. Their primary goal is to devise payment plans for tax debtors, sometimes conducting unannounced in-person visits known as field audits.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categorizes revenue officers with examiners and revenue agents. These professionals earned an average annual salary of $56,780 in 2021. With 55,300 jobs in 2021, the field is projected to decline by 7% by 2031.
Revenue Officers vs. Revenue Agents
While revenue officers collect taxes, revenue agents focus on tax audits. When collection efforts like letters, phone calls, tax levies, or garnishments fail, revenue officers step in to handle difficult cases and can seize assets if necessary.
Revenue agents determine tax liability through audits, working directly with taxpayers and their representatives. IRS revenue officers use two forms of official ID: a pocket commission and an HSPD-12 card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Become a Revenue Officer?
A bachelor’s degree is generally required, preferably with a focus on mathematics, statistics, or economics.
How Much Do Revenue Officers Earn?
Revenue officers earned an average annual salary of $56,780 in 2021. Pay can vary significantly based on location.
What Is a Chief Revenue Officer?
A Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing all revenue-generating operations within a corporation. The CRO typically reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and this role has become prominent especially in the SaaS industry.
Related Terms: Revenue Agent, Chief Revenue Officer, Tax Collector, Tax Levies, Garnishments.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents - What Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents D”
- Internal Revenue Service. “Business & Tax Enforcement”.
- Internal Revenue Service. “Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts”.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. “Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents - Summary.”
- Internal Revenue Service. “Internal Revenue Agent GS-0512”.
- Internal Revenue Service. “How To Know it’s Really the IRS Calling or Knocking on Your Door: Collection”.
- ZipRecruiter. “Revenue Officer Salary”.
