What is The Difference Between an IRS Agent and Tax Revenue Officer?


By Todd Whalen - October 5, 2022

What is The Difference Between an IRS Agent and Tax Revenue Officer?

While they might sound similar and are often misused in place of each other, the positions of IRS tax agent and tax revenue officer are actually quite different.
Understanding the critical differences between these two positions could help you better understand your situation should one of them show up at your office one day.

What is an IRS Tax Agent?

An IRS tax agent is a government official tasked with examining tax returns and conducting in-person audits to determine the correct amount owed by the taxpayer in question. In most cases, IRS tax agents must have at least a basic background in accounting.

What is a Revenue Officer?

A revenue officer is a government official who handles the task of collecting the amount owed from the most challenging cases where traditional methods like letters and phone calls have not worked.
These officers may need to conduct interviews with taxpayers in order to determine the amount they can reasonably be expected to pay. They also have the authority to set up payment plans or garnish wages.

How Are They Similar?

IRS tax agents and revenue officers are both government agents tasked with getting residents to pay their fair share of taxes.
At the end of the day, they are on the same team. They just have different positions and expectations on that team.

What Are the Biggest Differences?

While IRS tax agents and revenue officers both work for the government, it is important to note that IRS tax agents are solely focused on determining the correct amount owed. On the other hand, revenue officers play no role in determining how much is owed and are exclusively focused on collecting the determined amount as efficiently as possible.
If you have additional questions about IRS tax agents, revenue officers, or any other aspect of your personal or business taxes, don’t hesitate to contact a specialist at Advanced Tax Solutions today!
 
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