It Takes a Certain Person... - Revenue Officer IRS Employee Review

2.0
Nov 6, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are some benefits to working for the IRS. You have all of the government holidays, TSP (the government's version of the 401K), and the management is pretty cool. Also, they provide a pretty fair amount of classroom learning so you can learn (or pretend to learn) the tax law that might relate to your job. Also, it seemed standard practice to bump entering revenue officers from GS-7 to GS-9 after the first year--which was about a 30% raise.

Cons

There's a certain look people get when you tell them you work for the IRS. It's a cross between pain and pity, and was never a pretty sight. If you can get over that, you'll have to still stomach the amazingly low starting pay (especially in Southern California). I had to knock on many taxpayers doors, put up with many unhappy phone calls, people crying to me, etc. I still have bad dreams where I relive some of this stuff. But then some people like this stuff; I didn't.

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5.0
Feb 26, 2026
Anonymous contractor
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good team environment to work.

Cons

None as good to work

3.0
May 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Got me started in my career as an auditor -thorough tax law training -many senior auditors helping you learn the profession

Cons

-communication from management is not always transparent -when you are at the bottom of the ladder, you get verbal abuse from not only POA and taxpayers (understandable, given this is the IRS), but also management/OJI's. They want to look good to their bosses and will throw you under the bus if they have to in order to save themselves. Even if they gave you instructions that got you in trouble. They SHOULD be supporting you in your function as an auditor, but they'll do whatever is easiest for themselves ultimately. -on job training can be disorganized -bureaucratic culture -like many other companies, a lot of things you're expected to learn by yourself. Such as how to avoid POA delays.

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