Become an Irs Agent
You’ve probably heard of the Internal Revenue Service. They are responsible for collecting taxes on behalf of the United States of America. They are also responsible for auditing businesses and individuals who have not reported their income correctly.
The IRS is a large organization with many different divisions, including: Criminal Investigation Division, Small Business/Self-Employed Division, Large Business & International Division, Wage & Investment Division, Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division and more.
The Criminal Investigation Division focuses on investigating tax fraud and money laundering; the Large Business & International Division handles corporate tax returns; the Wage & Investment Division focuses on individual tax returns; and the Small Business/Self-Employed Division handles business returns (such as partnerships).
If you want to become an IRS agent you will need to complete some requirements first. You must be at least 23 years old but younger than 37 years old at the time of appointment or promotion (which ever comes later). You must also have completed at least 3 years of undergraduate education or its equivalent in accounting or law with one year in accounting or auditing courses from an accredited college or university; however if you have experience working in
How To Become Irs Agent
IRS special agents work for the Criminal Investigations Division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is the law enforcement side of the Department of the Treasury. IRS special agents are law enforcement officials who investigate financial crimes. Special agents who work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may advance to a supervisory position with experience. IRS special agents with an interest in computer evidence retrieval can apply for training as a Computer Investigative Specialist (CIS). Prospective computer investigative specialists must successfully complete basic training and computer evidence recovery courses over five weeks. Investigative specialists then must take a Computer Analysis Evidence Training course, which runs for three weeks, as well as training covering advanced data recovery.
Career Description, Duties, and Common Tasks
IRS special agents:
- Conduct audits
- Investigate criminal tax violations and currency crimes
- Work on gathering evidence regarding crimes
- Perform forensic accounting tasks
- Track and prosecute money laundering crimes
- Uncover violations of the Bank Secrecy Act
The crimes agents investigate typically fall into one of four categories:
- Drug-related financial crimes
- Illegal source financial crimes
- Legal source financial crimes
- Terrorism financing
Steps for Becoming an IRS Special Agent
Prospective special agents should meet strict qualifications, which include being a US citizen and at least 21 years of age. The education and experience required for a prospective IRS special agent depend on the level of the job. Some IRS jobs require a minimum of an associate degree with some experience and others require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Still others require an acceptable combination of education and experience. A master’s degree in accounting or finance will be especially helpful for candidates. Candidates who have a master’s degree and possess Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification have an even greater edge in the hiring process. Coursework in accounting, finance, economics, tax law, or a related field should increase your chances of being hired. Check with the IRS special agent job description to see if you meet the specific requirements for that position. In order to become an IRS special agent, you can expect to follow steps similar to the ones below.
- Acquire the degree and/or experience needed to become an IRS special agent.
- Find and apply for an open IRS special agent job on the USAJOBS website.
- Take and pass a drug test.
- Take and pass a physical examination.
- Undergo a full background investigation.
- Undergo a tax audit.
- Take and pass a drug test.
- Be interviewed.
- Be hired as an IRS special agent.
- Receive on-the-job training as an IRS special agent.
IRS Special Agent Job Training
Prospective IRS special agents should be prepared to complete both initial and ongoing training throughout their careers with the Department of the Treasury. New hires must first successfully complete the Criminal Investigator Training Program, which runs nine weeks at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, Georgia. Novice special agents must also complete a 16-week special agent basic training program, during which time they will learn about the agency’s policies and procedures and become versed in criminal tax fraud, tax law, money laundering, interviewing techniques, preparing for court, and testifying in court. Agents must also complete a two-phase on-the-job training process. The first phase of this training concentrates on new employee orientation and must be completed within 30 days of the hiring date. The second phase, which is self-paced and must be successfully completed by the one-year anniversary of the hire date, focuses on ethics, interviewing techniques, investigation procedures, form preparation, report writing, and safety.
Other Helpful Skills and Experience
Successful candidates should generally have previous experience in law enforcement or investigative work that focused predominantly on areas related to the IRS special agent’s role, including forensic auditing, accounting, and business practices.
Possible Job Titles for This Career
- IRS Criminal Investigator
- IRS Special Agent
Featured Online Programs
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IRS Special Agent Salary and Job Outlook
Salaries for IRS special agents are based on experience, education, and time-in-service. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents earn an average annual salary of $54,440.1 Those who work for the federal government earn a substantially higher average, at $61,880.1 Job growth is projected to change little in the period from 2016 to 2026, due to budget constraints at the federal, state, and local levels. However, new positions will open up as professionals in the field retire, and future adjustments to government budgets may lead to further growth in IRS special agent positions.1
