I never realized how bad it was until I went to a different agency! - Tax Examiner IRS Employee Review

1.0
28 Jun 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Generally your coworkers are wonderful, and being able to work a flex schedule is healthy- good work/life balance. You need that if you're going to work at the IRS.

Cons

Now that I've been in a different agency for over a year I can look back at my time at the IRS and wonder how I survived... management is horribly incompetent, under educated, worried only about their own numbers. An incredible, unbelievable amount of unprofessional behavior from managers- frontline employees were actually much more civil, professional and fair in their dealings with each other and taxpayers. IT systems outdated, unmanageable. It's amazing any work could ever get done. Has anyone ever noticed on these reviews that the managers love their jobs and the frontline employees hate it?? Could that be because managers live in a bubble and have no idea how to do the work they require their subordinates to do everyday? And the stress level that their constant, unreasonable, endlessly changing demands require of their employees? In light of all of the public scandals recently it's an embarrassment to say that I ever worked at the IRS. And there is no level of pay grade or money you could ever pay me to go back!

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5.0
27 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Excellent training -Hybrid work flexibility -Great Benefits (Student loan credits)

Cons

-Keeping your job dependent on current administration -Constant IT/onboarding issues -Quality of life largely dependent on manager

3.0
26 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Got me started in my career as an auditor -thorough tax law training -many senior auditors helping you learn the profession

Cons

-communication from management is not always transparent -when you are at the bottom of the ladder, you get verbal abuse from not only POA and taxpayers (understandable, given this is the IRS), but also management/OJI's. They want to look good to their bosses and will throw you under the bus if they have to in order to save themselves. Even if they gave you instructions that got you in trouble. They SHOULD be supporting you in your function as an auditor, but they'll do whatever is easiest for themselves ultimately. -on job training can be disorganized -bureaucratic culture -like many other companies, a lot of things you're expected to learn by yourself. Such as how to avoid POA delays.

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