What does a tax clerk do?
Tax clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real tax clerk resumes:
- Manage resident's private information for insurance verification, billing, and eligibility to apply for Medicaid.
- Research job aid tools such as: CRG, IDRS.
- Search DMV records to reroute return mail
- Suspend and clear tags/licenses on DMV system.
- Collect and process quarterly taxes for the borough of Fairview.
- Assemble tax returns, make copies and deliver to CPA.
- Train temporary employees on how to enter in w-2's.
- Review EOB for accuracy and discount through a PPO network.
- Contact Medicare and other insurers for EOB's when need.
- Prepare quarterly and annual statements for USDA and for CPA review.
- Sort and enter w-2's for companies in and out of state.
- Photocopy documents to include in client's file and for mailing return to the IRS.
- Used IDRS, ADR, and AIMS/DI to update information such as telephone numbers and addresses.
- Prepare notices such as delinquent statements, tax sale notices, lien certificates, payroll, purchase orders and other reports.
- Produce all documentation require for subpoenas and summons.
Tax clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 30% of Tax Clerks are proficient in Corrective Action, IRS, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Integrity, Math skills, and Computer skills.
We break down the percentage of Tax Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Corrective Action, 30%
Recommended corrective action, as appropriate, under the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.
- IRS, 13%
Utilized Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook as well as proprietary software during my time at the IRS.
- Data Entry, 6%
Performed data entry operations as needed.
- Treasury, 5%
Calculated and prepared all refunds for Collin County, State of Texas and disbursements to Collin County Treasury Department.
- Individual Tax Returns, 5%
Reviewed documentation / performed quality assurance checks of individual tax returns prior to completion by accountant.
- Revenue Service, 5%
Confirmed all checks were accurate and met Internal Revenue Service guidelines.
"corrective action," "irs," and "data entry" are among the most common skills that tax clerks use at work. You can find even more tax clerk responsibilities below, including:
Integrity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a tax clerk to have is integrity. Their role and responsibilities require that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks have control of an organization’s financial documentation, which they must use properly and keep confidential." Tax clerks often use integrity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "employed in the trust pension accounting department; duties involved data entry, accounting, typing, and key punch. "
Math skills. Another essential skill to perform tax clerk duties is math skills. Tax clerks responsibilities require that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks deal with numbers daily and should be comfortable with basic arithmetic." Tax clerks also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "verified math accuracy and completeness of incoming invoices, post from journals to ledgers. "
Computer skills. This is an important skill for tax clerks to perform their duties. For an example of how tax clerk responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to be comfortable using computer spreadsheets and bookkeeping software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a tax clerk: "fuel tax clerk acme truck line, inc. use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing. ".
Detail oriented. tax clerk responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are responsible for producing accurate financial records." This resume example shows what tax clerks do with detail oriented on a typical day: "explained in detail to borrowers the amounts owed for tax bills. "
The three companies that hire the most tax clerks are:
- Parker Global Strategies2 tax clerks jobs
- Columbus Consolidated Government2 tax clerks jobs
- Copart1 tax clerks jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable tax clerk resume templates
Build a professional tax clerk resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your tax clerk resume.
Compare different tax clerks
Tax clerk vs. Accounting assistant
An accounting assistant is responsible for supporting the daily operations of the business' accounting department, from reviewing financial transactions to the submission of financial reports. Accounting assistants' duties include performing data entry and clerical tasks, maintaining a safe record of account statements, updating and analyzing transactions, verifying the accuracy of financial records, and managing customers and vendors' inquiries as immediate as possible. An accounting assistant must have a broad knowledge of the accounting principles and processes, as well as excellent communication and time-management skills, especially on meeting strict deadlines and doing complex tasks as needed.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between tax clerks and accounting assistant. For instance, tax clerk responsibilities require skills such as "corrective action," "treasury," "individual tax returns," and "revenue service." Whereas a accounting assistant is skilled in "customer service," "reconciliations," "purchase orders," and "credit card payments." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Accounting assistants tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,823. In contrast, tax clerks make the biggest average salary, $35,238, in the government industry.On average, accounting assistants reach similar levels of education than tax clerks. Accounting assistants are 2.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Tax clerk vs. Processing specialist
A processing specialist mainly functions to extend and relay information within a company or organization. Most of the time, they are responsible for gathering, verifying, processing, and analyzing data from various aspects such as clients and sales. Aside from this, they perform research and analysis, utilizing the results to develop strategies and plans to help the company pursue deals and provide optimum services. Furthermore, a processing specialist needs to coordinate with managers and be equipped with communication skills as there are instances where they must engage with clients.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real tax clerk resumes. While tax clerk responsibilities can utilize skills like "corrective action," "treasury," "individual tax returns," and "revenue service," processing specialists use skills like "customer service," "quality standards," "process improvement," and "patients."
On average, processing specialists earn a higher salary than tax clerks. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, processing specialists earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $76,790. Whereas tax clerks have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $35,238.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Processing specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than tax clerks. In fact, they're 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tax clerk vs. Accounting technician
An accounting technician is responsible for evaluating financial information procedures to support accounting and taxation tasks, verifying the accuracy of account statements for the reference of accountants. Accounting technicians manage the payroll processes, generate invoices, perform account reconciliations, analyze account receivables, prepare budget reports, and monitor the company's financial transactions. Accounting technicians should always adhere to taxation legislation, comply with accounting disciplines, and coordinate with the account management for any findings and concerns, requiring them to have excellent communication and analytical skills.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from tax clerk resumes include skills like "treasury," "individual tax returns," "revenue service," and "property tax payments," whereas an accounting technician is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "financial reports," "payroll," and "purchase orders. "
Accounting technicians make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $39,070. On the other hand, tax clerks are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $35,238.When it comes to education, accounting technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to tax clerks. In fact, they're 2.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Tax clerk vs. Accounting associate
An accounting associate is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department, ensuring the stability of the financial services and status of an organization. Accounting associates process invoices, update client accounts on the database, manage financial reports, assist with tax auditing and processing, monitoring the financial statements and activities of the organization, escalate financial disputes, and verify accounts receivable. An accounting associate must have excellent knowledge of the accounting industry, as well as exceptional analytical and time-management skills to perform clerical duties as needed under minimal supervision.
Types of tax clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
