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Tax Collection Jobs in Lompoc, CA (NOW HIRING)

Robert Half

Staff Accountant

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$56K - $74K/yr

Manage invoice review, payment processing, receivables tracking, and collection follow-up to ... Work with external auditors, tax advisors, or other financial partners by gathering documentation ...

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All JobsTax Collection JobsTax Collection Jobs in Lompoc, CA

Tax Collection information

See Lompoc, CA salary details

$29K

$51.9K

$117.7K

How much do tax collection jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for tax collection in Lompoc, CA is $51,897.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,400.00 and $54,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Lompoc, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Tax Collection jobs in Lompoc, CA are:

Tax Collection jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tax Collection job openings in Lompoc, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 47% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 40% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,897 per year, or $25 per hour.

Tax Specialist (Tax Compliance Officer)

Santa Maria, CA

US Department of the Treasury
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

311th of 853 rated public administrative organizations

Good employer

Paid breaks

Respectful managers

Learn more about US Department of the Treasuryexternal

$74K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description


WHAT IS THE LARGE BUSINESS & INTERNATIONAL DIVISION?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions
  • Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s):
    • LBI - Director Withholding Exchange/International Individual Compliance -Withholding Exchange and International Individual Compliance (WEIIC), International Individual Compliance, Territory 5
REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
QUALIFICATION REQUIRMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below:
SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SPF):
ACCOUNTING KNOWLEDGE: Applicants must demonstrate their knowledge of Principles of Accounting and Intermediate Accounting. Candidates can demonstrate this knowledge either through successful completion of 12 semester hours / 18 quarter hours of college level accounting (with at least 6 semester / 9 quarter hours at the intermediate level) and/or experience. Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts with their application.
AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION GS-11: In addition to the basic requirements, to be eligible for this position, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position includes:
Experience that demonstrated a substantive knowledge of business practices, basic accounting principles, and Federal tax laws and regulations; and that required the ability to audit tax records, analyze systems and bookkeeping, use fact-finding techniques, and develop interpersonal skills.
Examples of qualifying experience may include: (This list is not all inclusive)
  • Experience working in a business environment where primary responsibilities included applying accounting principles, auditing tax records, and interpreting and applying Federal tax laws and regulations.
  • Experience auditing various types of tax returns, determining tax liability of individual taxpayers, businesses, or corporations; Interpreting and applying Federal tax laws and regulations; and making determinations on Federal tax liability.
  • Experience investigating alleged criminal violations of Federal tax statutes and making recommendations for criminal prosecution and assertion of civil penalties; or collecting delinquent Federal taxes, including canvassing for unreported taxes due, and securing delinquent returns.
  • Experience applying business practices, accounting principles, and Federal tax laws and regulations to audit tax returns, identify discrepancies, analyze accounting systems and bookkeeping records, recommend corrective actions, and prepare compliance documentation.
  • Experience auditing various types of tax returns to determine the correct tax liability for individual taxpayers, businesses, or corporations by applying the Internal Revenue Code, Federal tax regulations, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) policies and procedures. Experience conducting analytical examinations, applying fact-finding techniques, making tax liability determinations and redeterminations, and auditing Form 1040-NR, Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI) cases, treaty cases, and embassy cases.
  • Experience conducting program evaluations, internal audits, or administrative activities involving the assessment and collection of Federal taxes, investigating potential violations of Federal tax laws, recommending appropriate corrective actions, and collecting delinquent Federal taxes, including securing delinquent tax returns.
OR
EDUCATION: You may substitute education with specialized experience as follows:
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major study in accounting, auditing, taxation, business administration, law, or other related fields.
OR
Three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major study in accounting, auditing, taxation, business administration, law, or other related fields.
OR
An LL.M., if related.
OR
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of qualifying graduate education and experience equivalent to the amount required.
AND
You must also meet the following requirements:
  • TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): Current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens".
  • TIME IN GRADE (TIG): For positions above the GS-05,applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the grade you are applying for. For positions at the GS-05, you cannot advance to the GS-05 if you have held a GS-02 in the past 52 weeks. There is no TIG restriction for GS-02, 03, or 04 positions.
For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.
Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER

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