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Tax inspector

Alternative titles for this job include Senior tax professional

Tax inspectors make sure the correct amount of tax is paid and investigate cases of fraud.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£53,250 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

How to become a tax inspector

You can get into this job through:

  • applying directly

Direct Application

You'll need to apply for a place on HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Tax Specialist Programme and have one of the following:

  • a degree in any subject, minimum second class
  • an equivalent award like a professional accountancy qualification

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in taxation from Civil Service Careers.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

  • examining business accounts
  • visiting businesses to interview board directors, lawyers and accountants
  • investigating suspected fraud
  • offering specialist advice about tax
  • negotiating settlements
  • representing HMRC at appeals tribunals
  • considering and applying tax law to cases
  • leading a team of caseworkers and administrative staff
  • managing relationships between HMRC and customers

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Career path and progression

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move through HMRC's promotion structure to more senior or specialist posts.

You could go into the private sector as a tax adviser, or become a self-employed tax consultant.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

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