5 Easy steps to become an Income Tax Officer

Taranum
09/10/2025

5 Easy steps to become an Income Tax Officer

Dreaming of getting into highly respected & paid government jobs after graduation, but you are confused about where to start. So here's exactly how you can get there by becoming an income tax officer.

Also, if you love numbers, laws & facing good challenges, then this blog will help you out in turning your passion into a respected career as an income tax officer in India.

So, to take your flight to the Income Tax Officer post, this blog will help you provide proper guidance on qualification, eligibility, selection process, Income Tax Officer salary, and the benefits of becoming an Income Tax Officer in India.

To make it easier for you to understand, we have broken down this blog into four easy steps, highlighting strategies that can provide you with a kick-start to entering the world of government jobs. Everyone had a dream of achieving stability, respect, and job security, which can only be attained by entering the government sector. So this roadmap can help you become an income tax officer after the completion of graduation.

Role of Income Tax Officer/Inspector

So, before starting to explain the entire procedure of how to become an income tax officer, let me first explain what the responsibilities or roles played by an income tax officer in India are.

First of all, you must know where you are working as an income tax officer, so you need to work under the Income Tax Department (Central Board of Direct Taxes, CBDT).

The main role of an income tax officer is to handle income tax returns filed by individuals and business entities. There are some other responsibilities also for income tax, such as dealing with tax evasion and conducting raids & and collecting direct taxes. It also deals with coordinating & supervising with other departments' staff for compliance, such as GST, customs, etc. The work may involve both desk & field activities to manage administrative tasks, depending upon the job posting.

Undergraduate Programs	Post Graduate Programs
BBA	MBA
B.Com	M.Com
BCA	MCA
B.Tech	M.Tech
BA	MA
BA-JMC	MA-JMC
B.Lib	M.Lib

Steps to become an income tax officer

1. Types of Income Tax Officer Exams

There are 2 types of exams through which you can become an income tax officer: one is through the Indian Revenue Service (IRS – Income Tax Cadre) via UPSC Civil Service, and another is through the SSC CGL.

But becoming an income tax officer through the IRS via UPSC must be tougher but a more direct path for those who are aiming to get a higher position with a high salary from the start.

But because of the easier & simpler path, most aspirants choose the SSC CGL route that opens opportunities for tax department roles, but from a lower position.

2. Income Tax Officer Qualification & Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

A bachelor's degree in any (arts, science, commerce, or other) discipline from a recognized university.

If you are a final-year graduate, you need to submit proof of passing your degree before document verification.

Age Limit:

For general candidates, the age is between 18 to 30 & for reserved categories, there is an age relaxation of SC/ST (5 years), OBC (3 years), and Physically Handicapped (10 years to 15 years) for the SSC CGL Exam.

For general candidates, the age is between 21 to 32 & for reserved categories, there is an age relaxation of SC/ST (5 years) and OBC (3 years) for IRS via the UPSC Exam.

3. Income Tax Officer Exam Pattern

Through SSC CGL

Tier 1 (Preliminary, Computer-Based Test – CBT) (ONLY FOR QUALIFYING)

Subjects: General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English Comprehension

100 questions, 200 marks, time limit ~60 minutes

Tier 2 (Mains, CBT) (FOR SELECTION)

Paper-I: Quantitative Abilities

Paper-II: English Language & Comprehension

Paper-III: General Studies (Finance & Economics)

130 questions, 450 marks, time limit ~2 hours 30 minutes

Tier 3 (Descriptive / Pen-and-paper)

It includes assessment of checking writing ability & language skills, such as essays, letters, etc., whose marks are also included in the final ranking

100 marks, time limit ~60 minutes

Tier 4 Document Verification

This is the final step you need to clear to get selected for the position of income tax inspector or equivalent, which includes document verification & medical examination.

Through UPSC Civil Services / IRS Route Pattern

Prelims (ONLY FOR QUALIFYING)

Paper I: General Studies

Paper II CSAT

Mains (Two Qualifying Papers & Seven Merit Papers)

There are a total of 9 papers that include subjects, essays, general studies, and language papers, which are further divided into 2 qualifying & 7 merit papers. These are further explained below:

1. Qualifying Paper

There are 2 types of papers to check aspirant communication in languages: one is any Indian language & the other is the English language, but the marks will not count in ranking.

2. Merit Papers

There are a total of 7 merit papers whose marks are counted to get the final ranking in the IRS exam to become an income tax officer. It can be further divided into one essay, four general studies & two optional subject papers. The optional subjects that can be chosen to excel in revenue and taxation areas are Economics, Public Administration, Law, Commerce, etc.

Interview / Personality Test

The last & final step is clearing the interview test that helps in checking the aspirants' communication skills, attitude, analytical abilities, and general awareness suitable to become an ITO. Its marks will be included in the final assessment to get a position in the IRS ranking.

4. Facilities

The final step that can help you to stay focused, motivated & encouraged is knowing the facilities of becoming an Income Tax Officer, either through SSC CGL or through IRS via UPSC. Becoming an ITO not only provides the most prestigious posts under SSC CGL and direct involvement in the tax department but also various benefits, which are laid down below.

Job Security & Stability

Whenever we hear the term 'government job', the first & foremost word that clicks in our mind is 'getting' job security & stability, which is not gotten by private jobs. So becoming an income tax officer can provide you with long-term job security & protection from the fear of losing jobs.

Good Salary & Perks

The next thing is working for earning & getting a highly paid salary. So ITO can fulfil your dream of getting a highly paid job with an income tax officer salary of 80k to 90k, depending upon position & location. There is also a regular salary increment through the 7th Pay Commission rules.

Growth & Promotions

Becoming an ITO office can provide you with higher growth & promotion & also chances to move into IRS with higher responsibilities. The clear career path of ITO is Income Tax Officer → Assistant Commissioner → Deputy Commissioner → Commissioner → Principal Commissioner → Chief Commissioner.

Medical

Some of the other benefits which an income tax officer can get are medical facilities for themselves & family members through CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme). It includes free-of-cost treatment in government hospitals.

Train ticket

It also provides free train & traveling allowances for official or personal travels.

Government quarter

ITO also gets a housing benefit from residing at government quarters in major cities. It also provides HRA for those who don't get housing benefits.

Conclusion

After reading this blog, we can say that opportunities don't wait for anyone. The sooner you begin your preparation, the closer you are to holding a prestigious position as an income tax officer in India.

So, for what you are waiting for, start right now before it is too late & also remember the path may be tougher, but the great officer was once an aspirant like you only.

So stay focused, updated, and dedicated to getting a prestigious badge as an income tax officer.

This guide has given you a straightforward, rewarding path to enter a government job, but the difference can be made only by your preparation, perseverance, and smart strategies.

So, whether you opt for SSC CGL or IRS via UPSC, the main focus is to start early & remain dedicated and hard-working to build a strong foundation in core subjects for clearing exams.

If you think that by this blog you have gained some knowledge, then kindly please share with your loved & dear ones & keep updating and practicing yourself with tax & economic trends to stay focused.

Our Latest Blogs:

1.Best 5 Online MBA Programs for You

2. How to Choose the Right Online University in Delhi NCR

3. Top 5 Non-IIM B-Schools of India

4. Education Fair Insights for DUSOL Students: A Smarter Choices.

5. Top 10 Online Learning Platforms Offering Courses in 2025.