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Tax inspector

Also called fiscal advisor, excise officer, tax specialist

Tax inspectors are responsible for the calculation of taxation and the ensurance of its timely payment by individuals and organisations. They provide information and guidance concerning taxation legislation and examine financial documents and accounts to ensure compliance with legislation. They also examine records to investigate fraud.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects25 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Business and administration associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Business and administration associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree. 3 in 10 train through vocational routes.Business and administration associate professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Government tax and excise officials · ILO

What you'd do

Government tax and excise officials · ILO
  • Advising organizations, enterprises and the public on government laws, rules and regulations concerning the determination and payment of taxes, duties and other government fees, and on the public‚Äôs rights and obligations
  • Examining tax returns, bills of sale and other relevant documents to determine type and amount of taxes, duties and other types of fees to be paid
  • Investigating filed tax returns and accounting records, systems and internal controls of organizations to ensure compliance with taxation laws and regulations
  • Performing related administrative tasks to document findings, maintain records and report on actions taken for cases
Collect taxInspect tax returnsInspect taxation documentsCalculate taxMonitor financial accounts+ 1 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as business and administration associate professionals in the EU
13.29m14.1m14.28m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
55,000 new jobs 3,460,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Business and administration associate professionals25
All jobs29
Right now
3 of 27 countries report a shortage of government tax and excise officials, 4 a surplus.
Government tax and excise officials · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in accounting and taxation is the usual route.

Highest qualification of business and administration associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 51%Vocational 31%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 6%
Fields that teach it
Accounting and taxation · Law
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.49 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 4 tasks
Performing related administrative tasks to document findings, maintain records and report on actions taken for cases0.66
Examining tax returns, bills of sale and other relevant documents to determine type and amount of taxes, duties and other types of fees to be paid0.50
Investigating filed tax returns and accounting records, systems and internal controls of organizations to ensure compliance with taxation laws and regulations0.44
Advising organizations, enterprises and the public on government laws, rules and regulations concerning the determination and payment of taxes, duties and other government fees, and on the public’s rights and obligations0.37

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for government tax and excise officials. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).