1

Tax Collection Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tax Preparer

Irvine, CA ยท Remote

$80K - $100K/yr

Own client engagements from document collection to final filing, managing deadlines and ... Proven ability to communicate complex tax issues both verbally to clients and in writing in ...

Tax Preparer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site +1

$80K - $100K/yr

Tax Preparer Department: Tax Preparation Employment Type: Full Time Location: Remote Compensation ... Own client engagements from document collection to final filing, managing deadlines and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Tax Collection information

What is a tax collector?

Tax collectors are professionals responsible for collecting taxes owed to government agencies from individuals and businesses. Their main duties include notifying taxpayers of their obligations, processing payments, investigating delinquent accounts, and sometimes initiating enforcement actions to recover unpaid taxes. They may work for local, state, or federal tax authorities and often interact with the public to resolve questions or disputes about taxes owed. Accurate record-keeping and strong communication skills are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tax collector?

To thrive as a Tax Collector, you need a strong understanding of tax laws, accounting principles, and attention to detail, often supported by a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Familiarity with tax collection software, government databases, and sometimes certification like an Enrolled Agent credential is typically required. Excellent negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills help build rapport with taxpayers and resolve disputes effectively. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate revenue collection, compliance with regulations, and maintaining public trust.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in tax collection, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in tax collection often encounter challenges such as dealing with non-compliant taxpayers, navigating complex tax regulations, and managing high caseloads. Effective communication skills and empathy are crucial when negotiating payment plans or resolving disputes. Staying organized and up-to-date with current tax laws helps ensure accuracy and compliance. Many agencies provide ongoing training and support, and teamwork is essential for sharing strategies and best practices to address these challenges.

What is the difference between Tax Collection vs Tax Auditor?

AspectTax CollectionTax Auditor
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; sometimes additional trainingBachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field; certifications like CPA or CIA often preferred
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, tax agencies, fieldworkGovernment agencies, auditing firms, office settings
Employer & Industry UsageTax authorities, local/state/federal governmentTax agencies, government departments, consulting firms
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on collecting owed taxesFocuses on examining financial records for accuracy and compliance

Tax Collection involves gathering owed taxes from individuals and businesses, often through enforcement and fieldwork. Tax Auditor, on the other hand, reviews financial records to ensure compliance and accuracy. While both roles work within tax agencies, their responsibilities and required credentials differ significantly.

How much do tax collectors get paid?

Tax collectors' salaries vary depending on experience, location, and government level, but the median annual wage in the United States is around $55,000. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced collectors or those in higher-paying regions can earn over $70,000 annually. Many tax collectors also receive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Is being a tax collector a good job?

Tax collection is a government role that involves assessing and collecting taxes from individuals and businesses. It typically requires strong attention to detail, knowledge of tax laws, and good communication skills, with employment often available through government agencies. The job offers stability and benefits but may involve dealing with difficult or uncooperative taxpayers.

What job categories do people searching Tax Collection jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Tax Collection jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Tax Collection jobs?

Cities in California with the most Tax Collection job openings:

Infographic showing various Tax Collection job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 48% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 42% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Treasurer-Tax Collector Specialist-26256308

County of San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$51K - $63K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Salary: $51,875.20 - $63,731.20 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Remote Employment: Remote Optional
Job Number: 26256308
Department: Treasurer-Tax Collector
Division: Tax Collection
Opening Date: 08/24/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
Are you searching for a challenging work opportunity to jump start your public service career? Look no further and APPLY NOW!
The County of San Diego's Department of Treasurer-Tax Collector has openings for TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR SPECIALIST
The Department of Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) will invite candidates to ongoing interviews starting the week of October 19th, 2026. Interviews will be in-person. Job offers for selected candidates will take place after the interviews.
Future Salary Increases
June 2027 - 4.70% increase to base pay (3.0% Across-the- Board + 1.70% Market Adjustment)
Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) Specialists perform a variety of financial and transactional work of average difficulty and complexity in the areas of property tax collection, cashiering, and customer service information; financial and tax payment processing; specialty tax collection; and also perform other related work as required. Each Tax Collection Division is responsible for the operation of one or more of the department's branch offices located in: East County, Chula Vista, San Marcos, and Downtown San Diego (Main Office). Candidates may be required to travel to a branch office to provide coverage on a temporary basis or be assigned to branch office as their primary work location.
Hybrid and alternative schedules may be available after an initial training period.
Ideal Candidate: A detail-oriented, organized, and reliable self-starter with an open and growth mindset. They work well with minimal supervision and can thrive both independently and in team settings. The ideal candidate communicates effectively in person and in writing; interacts with the public, County employees, and representatives of outside agencies with courtesy, confidence, professionalism, and tact; and is skilled in researching and analyzing property records, property tax billing and payment information, and related financial data. They can interpret and apply applicable provisions of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, County ordinances, and other governing requirements, clearly present findings to various audiences, and are proficient in accessing and using data from multiple financial databases. The candidate will also be able to quantify the results of their work overtime using their own performance data to demonstrate the impact of their contributions to the organization and provide past examples of this performance from prior employment.
TTC Specialist positions may be assigned to work in any of the following divisions:
Information (Call Center) Division: These positions are responsible for providing customers with information on all aspects of tax collection including tax bills/statements, payments, refunds, corrections and pay-plans; and answering tax inquiries in person, over the telephone, or in a high-volume call center environment. Incumbents also perform a variety of property tax collection tasks, such as: collecting and posting tax payments and accounting for payments received; compiling and recording financial transactions; responding to and processing correspondence; mailing out tax bills; and conducting research of tax rolls and tax payment issues. This division is responsible for the East County branch, the San Marcos branch and Downtown San Diego main office cashiering and customer service operations.
Financial Division: These positions are responsible for performing financial transactions, researching and analyzing tax payment processing data. Incumbents perform a variety of financial and accounting tasks, such as: balancing, adjusting, reviewing and reconciling accounts; processing payment adjustments; calculating and verifying refunds and interest; interacting with real estate agents, title companies, lending, and mortgage companies on tax issues; answering tax, treasury, financial and other related questions at the public counter and on the telephone; and conducting research of financial and tax transactions in support of the Tax Collection staff. This division is responsible for the Chula Vista branch office cashiering and customer service operations.
Special Functions Division: These positions are responsible for collecting taxes on personal property and other types of specialty taxes including Transient Occupancy tax (TOT), Racehorse tax, and Cannabis tax. Incumbents perform a variety of financial activities such as: calculating tax, verifying self-reported taxes, recording and releasing liens, property and compliance research, maintaining electronic and paper records, balancing and adjusting accounts, analyzing and reconciling financial reports, and interacting with taxpayers, attorneys, real estate agents and title/lending/mortgage companies on property tax issues. This division is responsible for the Kearny Mesa drop box.
Click here for the job description.
Hiring Process and Timeline
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
  • Job Offer and Background Process begins shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
  • Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
  • Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications
  1. One (1) year of experience processing financial or accounting transactions in a Treasurer-Tax Collector's office in the state of California; OR,
  2. Two (2) years of clerical experience including one (1) year of experience processing financial or accounting transactions.
Notes: Completion of twelve (12) units in accounting or taxation from an accredited college or university may substitute for one (1) year of the required work experience listed above in example #2. Customer service experience is highly desirable.
Application Attachments
In order for your education to be considered, you MUST attach a copy of your degree transcripts, diploma, and/or foreign studies equivalency certificate at the ATTACHMENTS section of your application. Please submit only the documents required. Additional documentation such as awards, letters of recommendation, unsolicited certifications, etc. will not be added to your application file.
NOTE: If you already attached complete college documents to your master profile from February 2008 to the present, then you may bypass the "Application Attachments" instructions listed above.
Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran's Preference Policy
The County of San Diego offerspreferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the for additional information.
Military Skills Translator
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the to access the tool.
Strategic Plan
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Please see the for more information.
Disaster Service Workers
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary (NMG-NCL)
01
**PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY**
*Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough and complete manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score.
*Please DO NOT indicate "See Resume" or "See Application" as those are not acceptable answers.Your work experience MUST be verifiable in the employment history section of this application.*Please note that if you are invited to a selection interview(s) by a department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THIS INFORMATION?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you possess at least one (1) year of experience processing financial or accounting transactions in a Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office in the State of California?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you possess at least two (2) years of clerical experience including one (1) year of experience processing financial or accounting transactions?
  • Yes
  • No, but I have 1 year of this experience, and I am substituting 12 units in accounting or taxation for the other required year
  • No

04
If you have the experience listed in Question #2 or #3, please indicate which positions in your work history you are using to qualify. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A".
05
If you are using education to substitute for experience, you MUST SUBMIT a copy of your transcripts or certified foreign studies equivalency report for your education to be considered.
Did you attach this information to the ATTACHMENTS section of your application?
  • Yes
  • No

06
Please indicate if you have experience in the following areas:Check all that apply
  • Providing customer service via telephone or in person
  • Performing cashiering duties
  • Analyzing data retrieved from financial databases
  • I do not have this experience

07
Briefly describe your experience in providing customer service via telephone or in person.
If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A".
08
Do you have experience as a cashier?
  • Yes
  • No

09
Briefly describe your experience analyzing data retrieved from financial databases. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A".
10
As indicated in the job posting, TTC Specialist positions may work for the Information/Call Center, Financial, or Special Functions Unit within the Tax Collection Division.
*Please indicate the area(s) you are interested in being considered for based on your work experience and preference.
  • I would like to be considered to work for Information/Call Center
  • I would like to be considered to work for Financial
  • I would like to be considered to work for Special Functions
  • Any of the above areas

11
Where did you first hear about this