IRS.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Answering questions from applicants is something we’re good at in IRS recruitment. Here are answers to the ones people ask us most often:

1. What types of jobs does the IRS offer?

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   At the IRS, we have a variety of opportunities for all kinds of professionals, paraprofessionals, and administrative workers — plus seasonal jobs in many cities across the US. Here are our most popular:

   • Appeals Officer (Job Series 0930)
   • Artificial Intelligence Analyst
   • Attorney (Job Series 0905)
   • Computer Research Analyst (Job Series 0301)
   • Computer Specialist/Information Technology Specialist (Job Series 2210)
   • Contact Representative (Job Series 0962)
   • Engineer (Job Series 0801)
   • Human Resources Specialist (Job Series 0201)
   • Internal Revenue Agent (Job Series 0512)
   • Internal Revenue Officer (Job Series 1169)
   • Mathematical Statistician (Job Series 1529)
   • Operations Research Analyst (Job Series 1515)
   • Policy Analyst (Job Series 0301 & 0343)
   • Program Analyst (Job Series 0343)
   • Program Evaluation and Risk Analyst (Job Series 0301)
   • Special Agent (Job Series 1811)
   • Statistician (Job Series 1530)
   • Tax Compliance Officer (Job Series 0526)
   • Tax Examiner (Job Series 0592)
   • Tax Law Specialist (Job Series 0987)
   • Tax Specialist (Job Series 0526)
   • Executive Officer (Job Series 0301)

   Learn more about these positions.

2. How can I determine if I’m qualified for a specific IRS job?

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   Each IRS job has very specific qualifications that are explained in detail in each vacancy announcement. You should read the qualifications section very carefully to make sure that you meet all of the requirements for the position. General information about qualifications can be found throughout the IRS Careers Website and at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which maintains an extensive library of qualifications needed for all federal jobs. Here is a link to the Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

3. How do I apply for an IRS job?

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   You can apply to almost all IRS jobs online through USAJOBS 24 hours a day. Be sure to try our ten easy steps to application success.

4. How can I follow up on an application I’ve already submitted?

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   You can check on your status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking on the "My USAJOBS" tab. Then click on "Application" to track your online job application. Please note that you’ll need to provide your USAJOBS User ID and password to access the "Track Online Job Application" feature.

   On the Online Application History Page, you can also view the status of your application. When you click the "Information" link, you’ll be able to see more specific information about it within the IRS applicant management system, CareerConnector.

   Always remember to print out a copy of the vacancy announcement for each IRS job you apply for. That way you’ll have the specific vacancy announcement number and contact information readily available in case you need it.

5. What is it really like to work at the IRS?

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   The best way to discover what it’s like to work with us is to hear what some of our professionals have to say. See our employee profiles.

6. If I don’t get a job I apply for, should I just give up on the idea of working at the IRS?

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   Not at all. If we’ve determined that you were eligible for the position, but you simply weren’t hired for a specific vacancy, try again. There may have been so many applicants for that specific position that we could not hire everyone that was qualified.

   What you can do now is log back in to USAJOBS and review your resume to make sure that it describes how your experience and education directly relate to the job you are applying for. Hint: You can build more than one resume on USAJOBS, and then choose the best one to use for each application you submit.

7. I saw an ad for IRS positions in my area. The ad gave a phone number to call. When I called it, they said I need to pay $38 to take a test to be eligible for an IRS job. Is this legitimate?

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   You never have to pay a fee to apply for an IRS job.

   From time to time, however, you may see ads advising you to call for an application form and free government job information. These ads may claim that — in exchange for a payment or fee — they’ll send you the information you need for a position with the IRS, including how to test and score well. Some ads even claim to "guarantee" you will get a full-time permanent position with benefits, or they’ll refund your money.

   The truth is anyone looking for information about IRS jobs can get it all free. Just visit USAJOBS to view all of our positions.

8. I have a really cool idea to improve the IRS Careers website. Who should I contact?

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   Just talk to one of our many content designers. Although we’re sorry we can’t help you with all of the questions you may have about that vacancy announcement you are reading or the application you submitted, we’ll gladly listen to your suggestions about ways we can do a better job of giving you the information you need about working here at the IRS.

   So, if you have a really cool idea that you want to share with our recruitment team, email it to: recruiter4administrative@irs.gov. We consider everyone’s suggestions and will try to answer your email promptly.

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