Tax inspectors work for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They are responsible for applying tax laws and making sure that companies and individual taxpayers pay the right amount of tax.

The job includes:

• checking tax returns from businesses and individuals
• examining accounts and background material
• investigating suspected cases of tax fraud  
• advising about tax matters
• making sure that taxpayers only pay the correct amount due
• negotiating settlements with taxpayers or accountants
• managing technical and clerical staff.

If there are doubts about the accuracy of business accounts submitted to HMRC, tax inspectors visit business premises, examine accounts, interview staff and look into the lifestyle of the owner or directors.

Hours and Environment

As a tax inspectors you will usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You may need to work extra hours at certain times of the year when tax deadlines are approaching. Flexitime and part-time work is possible.

You will be office-based but will spend some time traveling to visit businesses. Formal business dress is expected.

Skills and Interests

To be a tax inspector you need:

• good spoken and written communication skills
• the ability to investigate and analyse information
• decision making ability
• excellent mathematical skills
• computer literacy
• the ability to apply rules fairly
• a creative approach to problem solving
• drive and determination.

Entry

You can join HRMC at various levels depending on your qualifications. To join directly as a trainee tax inspector, you will usually need a degree or a professional accountancy qualification and you can apply to one of the following recruitment programmes:

• HMRC's Talent Recruitment Programme - you will need at least a second class honours degree (class 2:2 or above) in any subject, or a professional accountancy qualification 
• Fast Stream Development Programme (for senior management and policy work in all Civil Service departments including HMRC) - you will need at least a second class honours degree in any subject.

If you do not have a degree, you could join HMRC in an administrative assistant or assistant officer grade, and apply to join the Talent Recruitment Programme after gaining experience. You will usually need two GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) for administrative assistant jobs, and five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including maths and English for assistant officer jobs. You may be able to enter without these qualifications if you pass a selection test.

You must be a UK national to work in a job where you are directly involved in a taxpayer's financial affairs (known as a 'reserved post').

Contact HMRC for more information on general recruitment and the graduate schemes.

Training

You will be trained on the job and also attend formal in-house training courses.

On the Talent Recruitment Programme you will usually follow the Inspector Development Programme (IDP). The IDP is a modular programme that includes on the job learning, formal training courses, self-study and exams. It takes around four years to qualify as a tax inspector through the IDP.

On the Fast Stream Development Programme, your first year will be similar to the IDP, but from the second year you will usually focus more on training for policy, advisory or strategic management work. Training usually takes four years.

Opportunities

As a tax inspector you could work at HM Revenue and Customs offices all over the UK.

Jobs are advertised in the local press, in job centres and on the HRMC and Civil Service Recruitment Gateway websites.

With experience you could move into specialist advisory work and management jobs. HMRC has a clear promotion structure to pass through the grades. Alternatively, you could choose to work in the private sector as a tax adviser, or become a self-employed tax consultant.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Experienced tax inspectors earn £23,460 to £40,698.
Graduates on the Inspector Development Programme start on £20,040 a year (£22,430 in London).
Graduate tax inspectors qualified through the IDP earn £37,630 to £54,170 a year.

Starting salaries for Fast Stream recruits are around £21,500 a year, rising to around £35,000 after four years.

All salary increases depend on individual performance.

Further information

No central telephone number for information, please see website for contacts for individual departments