An income tax officer (ITO) handles all issues related to income tax and checks the tax flow to ensure proper tax filing. If you like studying commerce and enjoy working with numbers, being an income tax officer might be interesting for you. Understanding the job role and selection process can help you pursue a career as an income tax officer.
In this article, we talk about how to become an income tax officer, the selection process, duties, key skills, and salary of an income tax officer.
An Income Tax Officer has several important duties:
| Educational Qualifications | A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. |
| Citizenship | Citizens of India Citizens of Nepal Citizens of Bhutan A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, planning to settle in India permanently A person of Indian origin who has shifted to India permanently from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Burma, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zaire or Vietnam. Candidates other than Indian nationality would need an eligibility certificate issued by the government of India. |
| Age Limit | General Category – 21- 30 years OBC – 21-33 years SC/ST – 21-35 years Ex-servicemen – 21-38 years Physically handicapped – 21-40 years |
The Civil Services Examination, often called the IAS exam, is run by the UPSC. It’s used to hire people for various government jobs, including the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). If you want to become an Income Tax Officer, you should pick the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) as your top choice. Here’s a brief overview of the exam:
| Preliminary Examination (2 objective papers) | General Studies Paper-I – Covers current events, history, geography, politics, economics, etc. General Studies Paper-II (CSAT) – Assesses comprehension, reasoning, and analytical skills. Ready to Test Your Skills? Check Your Performance Today with our Free Mock Tests used by Toppers! Take Free Test |
| Main Examination (Subjective paper in English or Hindi) | 2 qualifying papers – (English Language and a Regional Language Paper (Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution). 7 merit papers – Includes Essay (1 paper), General Studies (4 papers), and Optional Subject (2 papers). |
| Personal Interview (Interview/Personality Test) | After qualifying for the main exams, candidates are called for a personal interview. The personal interview assesses a candidate’s suitability for a career in civil services.  create your own test YOUR TOPIC, YOUR DIFFICULTY, YOUR PACE start learning for free The interview panel evaluates various aspects of the candidate’s personality, communication skills, attitude, analytical abilities, and depth of knowledge on various subjects. |
| Final Merit List and Allotment | A merit list is prepared based on the candidates’ performance in the Main Examination and Interview. The candidates are then allotted various services based on their ranks and preferences. If you have selected the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as your preference, they will be appointed as an Income Tax Officer. |
| Tier 1 (Computer-Based Objective Test) | Topics – General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension. Number of Questions – 100 (25 in each category) Exam duration – 60 minutes (80 minutes for visually impaired candidates) |
| Tier 2 (Computer-Based Test) | To assess the candidate’s proficiency in quantitative aptitude, English language skills, and specialized subject knowledge. Papers – Number of Questions – 100 (25 in each category) Exam duration – 2 hours for each paper. |
The salary of an income tax officer is decided based on Pay Commission recommendations. The total pay includes different parts that make up the officer’s overall earnings. According to Ambitionbox, an income tax officer earns an average of ₹8.4 lakhs each year.
The salary components usually include:
| Rank | Approximate Income Tax Officer Salary Range (in INR) |
| Income Tax Inspector | 9,300 – 34,800 (Grade Pay: 4,600) |
| Tax Assistant | 5,200 – 20,200 (Grade Pay: 2,400) |
| Senior Tax Assistant | 5,200 – 20,200 (Grade Pay: 2,800) |
| Income Tax Officer | 9,300 – 34,800 (Grade Pay: 4,800) |
| Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax | 15,600 – 39,100 (Grade Pay: 5,400) |
| Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax | 15,600 – 39,100 (Grade Pay: 7,600) |
| Commissioner of Income Tax | 37,400 – 67,000 (Grade Pay: 10,000) |
| Book Title | Author | Publisher |
| Income Tax Officer Exam Guide | R. Gupta | Arihant |
| Income Tax Officer Exam: A Complete Guide | Deepak Agarwal | Disha Publications |
| Income Tax Officer Exam: Previous Year Papers | Upkar Publication | Upkar Prakashan |
| Income Tax Law and Practice | Girish Ahuja, Ravi Gupta | Wolters Kluwer |
| Income Tax Officer Exam Guide | Dr. Lal & Jain | Unique Publishers |
| Income Tax Law | Vinod Singhania | Taxmann |
| Income Tax Officer Exam: Practice Workbook | S.K. Devgan | Arihant |
| Income Tax Officer Exam: Model Test Papers | RPH Editorial Board | Ramesh Publishing House |
| Income Tax Officer Exam: Objective Questions | Sanjay Mundhra | CCH Wolters Kluwer |
| Income Tax Law & Practice | N.S. Govindan | Lexis Nexis |
You need a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. Some positions may require specific qualifications or experience.
Study subjects related to finance, economics, and law. It’s also helpful to know about taxation and accounting.
Yes, the exam can be challenging due to its extensive syllabus and competitive nature.
The monthly income varies but is typically between ₹50,000 to ₹80,000.
The highest salary can reach up to ₹2,00,000 or more for senior positions like Principal Chief Commissioner.
The salary of a Commissioner of Income Tax is approximately ₹1,50,000 to ₹2,00,000 per month.
A background in commerce, economics, or law is beneficial.
The exam is typically conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and includes written tests and interviews.
You need to complete a bachelor’s degree and pass the relevant exams conducted by SSC or similar bodies.
Yes, both men and women can apply for the position of an income tax officer.
No specific height requirement is mentioned for female income tax inspectors.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university are eligible.
Focus on taxation, accounting, economics, and general awareness.
Individuals with a relevant degree who pass the competitive exams and interviews become income tax officers.