Tax inspector

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


Typical Salary

£30,000 – £57,000

per year

Working Hours

38–40

hours per week

Career Area

Taxation experts

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Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • examine business accounts
  • visit businesses to interview board directors, lawyers and accountants
  • investigate suspected fraud
  • offer specialist advice about tax
  • negotiate settlements
  • represent HMRC at appeals tribunals
  • consider and apply tax law to cases
  • lead a team of caseworkers and administrative staff
  • manage relationships between HMRC and customers

Skills needed

  • 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
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • applying directly

Career 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.