Few IRS employees are misunderstood quite like IRS revenue officers. These professionals handle some of the most complicated and confusing interactions with taxpayers. The more you understand about their work and their training, the easier you’ll find it to navigate future dealings with the IRS.
IRS Revenue Officer Training
The IRS maintains a General Schedule (GS) that determines who is qualified for which positions. This consists of levels 1-15, with each additional level requiring more education or experience.
IRS revenue officer jobs typically begin with GS 5, which requires four years of formal education beyond high school. This should be accompanied by specialized experience that has equipped the aspiring revenue officer with critical knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). As revenue officers climb the career ladder, they may need to seek graduate-level credentials.
A Day in the Life
IRS revenue officer responsibilities can vary significantly from one division or department to the next. Depending on the professional’s specific role, daily tasks might include:
- Conducting interviews with taxpayers or their representatives.
- Counseling taxpayers on their filing and payment obligations.
- Explaining taxpayer rights and IRS policies.
- Meeting with taxpayers to observe signs of hardship.
Customer service is a critical component of the job, as tax revenue agents need to work with people from all walks of life.
IRS Revenue Officers Vs Revenue Agents
The terms ‘revenue officer’ and ‘revenue agent’ are often used interchangeably, but these positions are not one and the same. Typically, revenue agents focus on auditing taxpayers, while officers handle collections. Depending on the nature of your tax situation, you may eventually need to deal with both types of IRS representatives.
Do you dread the idea of interacting directly with IRS revenue officers? Why not let an enrolled agent handle this process on your behalf? If you work with the Highland Tax Group, you can let the experts shoulder the burden of IRS negotiations. Contact us today to learn more.