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What does a tax compliance officer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A Tax Compliance Officer works for the IRS. This office primarily focuses on whether businesses and individual are making their necessary tax payments. Looking after the business reported revenue and paid taxes are the functions of the Tax Compliance Officer.

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Tax compliance officer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real tax compliance officer resumes:

  • Reconcile tax liabilities withhold by the business partners against deposits and the IRS transcripts monthly.
  • Collect and deposit tax liabilities withhold by various business partners throughout the firm to the IRS.
  • Assist the organizations in computing accurate taxation amounts.
  • Account administration of ultra high net worth clients encompassing all aspects from initial implementation through termination, emphasizing taxation.
  • Update taxpayers addresses, assign temporary ITIN numbers to taxpayers without a social security number, establish fiduciary accounts for taxpayers
  • Used databases, spreadsheet software such as IDRS to enter, revise, manipulate, store and retrieve data.
  • Scrutinize taxpayer documentation utilizing IDRS software.
  • Reconcile general ledgers and financial account statements to the taxpayer's representation of income and expenses.

Tax compliance officer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 39% of Tax Compliance Officers are proficient in IRS, Tax Compliance, and Income Tax Returns. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Interpersonal skills, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Tax Compliance Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • IRS, 39%

    Applied and interpreted IRS statutes and regulations.

  • Tax Compliance, 35%

    Develop and oversee University-wide training opportunities to ensure tax compliance for all University units and individuals.

  • Income Tax Returns, 5%

    Interviewed the taxpaying public (including their representatives of accountants, attorneys) whose federal income tax returns are being examined.

  • Taxation, 4%

    Acquired valuable knowledge in accountancy, taxation, policies, regulations and procedures.

  • Indirect Tax, 2%

    Reconciled general ledger indirect tax accounts quarterly.

  • Tax Issues, 2%

    Review examinations and related investigations of a variety of individuals and business taxpayers involving complex tax issues and accounting records.

Common skills that a tax compliance officer uses to do their job include "irs," "tax compliance," and "income tax returns." You can find details on the most important tax compliance officer responsibilities below.

Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling tax compliance officer duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "tax collectors must be comfortable interacting with people. when pursuing overdue accounts, tax collectors should be firm and composed." According to a tax compliance officer resume, here's how tax compliance officers can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "improved my interpersonal skills while working with different clients daily and educating them on the tax code. "

Analytical skills. tax compliance officers are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to tax compliance officer responsibilities, because "tax examiners and revenue agents must be able to identify questionable claims for credits and deductions and determine if claims are lawful." A tax compliance officer resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "tax examiner- analyzed and adjusted tax accounts for payroll tax returns, including international returns. "

Detail oriented. tax compliance officer responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "tax examiners and revenue agents verify the accuracy of each entry on the tax returns they review." This resume example shows what tax compliance officers do with detail oriented on a typical day: "maintained detailed audit reports summarizing results of field and desk audits in accordance with department rules and practices. "

Organizational skills. Another common skill required for tax compliance officer responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of tax compliance officers all the time, as "tax examiners and revenue agents may work with multiple returns and a variety of financial documents." An excerpt from a real tax compliance officer resume shows how this skill is central to what a tax compliance officer does: "apply extensive knowledge as well as organizational skills to ensure the timely, accurate and effective sales and use tax compliance. "

Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a tax compliance officer does. Tax compliance officer responsibilities require this skill because "tax collectors must be able to clearly explain complex details, especially about sensitive information, in their work with the public." This resume example highlights how tax compliance officer duties rely on this skill: "drafted tax research and communications by using microsoft word, excel and outlook. "

See the full list of tax compliance officer skills

The three companies that hire the most tax compliance officers are:

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Compare different tax compliance officers

Tax compliance officer vs. Revenue specialist

A revenue specialist is in charge of overseeing and processing payments for their company, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Their responsibilities revolve around reviewing invoices and insurance claims, monitoring tax deductions and expenses, liaising with external parties, collecting payments, producing progress and revenue reports, and maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a revenue specialist, it is essential to devise strategies for managing revenues, all while upholding the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

We looked at the average tax compliance officer salary and compared it with the wages of a revenue specialist. Generally speaking, revenue specialists are paid $3,805 lower than tax compliance officers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between tax compliance officers and revenue specialists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like taxation, computer system, and tax laws.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between tax compliance officers and revenue specialist. For instance, tax compliance officer responsibilities require skills such as "irs," "tax compliance," "income tax returns," and "indirect tax." Whereas a revenue specialist is skilled in "patients," "revenue cycle," "cpt," and "data entry." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Revenue specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $44,321. On the other hand, tax compliance officers are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $46,453.On average, revenue specialists reach similar levels of education than tax compliance officers. Revenue specialists are 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Tax compliance officer vs. Revenue agent

A revenue agent typically works for government agencies where they are in charge of ensuring that businesses and citizens comply with their tax obligations. Their responsibilities include performing field audits and assessments, gathering and analyzing data, reviewing documents and procedures, and investigating tax delinquencies in adherence to the state and federal laws and regulations. They must also directly communicate with organizations and individuals to conduct assessments, collect information, respond to inquiries and concerns, and discuss their rights and obligations.

A career as a revenue agent brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a tax compliance officer. In fact, revenue agents salary is $11,951 lower than the salary of tax compliance officers per year.A few skills overlap for tax compliance officers and revenue agents. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "irs," "tax compliance," and "income tax returns. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real tax compliance officer resumes. While tax compliance officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "indirect tax," "tax planning," "educational assistance," and "conduct examinations," revenue agents use skills like "partnerships," "cpa," "financial transactions," and "appeals."

Revenue agents earn a lower average salary than tax compliance officers. But revenue agents earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $55,113. Additionally, tax compliance officers earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $46,453 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Revenue agents tend to reach similar levels of education than tax compliance officers. In fact, they're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Tax compliance officer vs. Revenue enforcement agent

An internal revenue agent is primarily in charge of auditing and examining businesses' and individuals' financial records to ensure compliance with tax laws and payments. Their responsibilities typically revolve around reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, traveling to different locations, gathering and reviewing documentation, and even processing tax payments. Furthermore, as an internal revenue agent, it is essential to discuss and help taxpayers understand the tax laws, assist in complex procedures, and provide counseling as needed, all while adhering to the government laws and regulations.

On average, revenue enforcement agents earn lower salaries than tax compliance officers, with a $136 difference per year.By looking over several tax compliance officers and revenue enforcement agents resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "subpoenas," "withholding tax," and "district court." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

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 compliance officer resumes include skills like "irs," "tax compliance," "income tax returns," and "taxation," whereas a revenue enforcement agent is more likely to list skills in "parking enforcement," "patrol," "law enforcement agencies," and "dhs. "

When it comes to education, revenue enforcement agents tend to earn similar degree levels compared to tax compliance officers. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Tax compliance officer vs. Internal revenue agent

Internal revenue agents average a higher salary than the annual salary of tax compliance officers. The difference is about $23,269 per year.According to resumes from tax compliance officers and internal revenue agents, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "irs," "income tax returns," and "taxation. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A tax compliance officer uses "tax compliance," "indirect tax," "tax planning," and "educational assistance." Internal revenue agents are more likely to have duties that require skills in "partnerships," "cpa," "financial transactions," and "treasury. "internal revenue agents enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $83,517. For comparison, tax compliance officers earn the highest salary in the government industry.In general, internal revenue agents hold similar degree levels compared to tax compliance officers. Internal revenue agents are 3.7% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of tax compliance officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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