Tax Manager Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Reading Time: 12 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Tax Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Tax Managers.

Tax Manager Job Duties

Tax managers are responsible for reporting on taxes and ensuring they are compliant with all federal, state, and local tax laws for the organization. They must, therefore, prepare the company’s taxes and file them and make sure that they are accurate and complete, thereby minimizing the chances of an audit being conducted.

At the same time, a tax manager will need to find as many places as possible where deductions can be made, thereby ensuring the organization doesn’t pay more taxes than they need to.

Other responsibilities of a tax manager include focusing on mergers and acquisitions, as well as IPOs (internal public offerings). Their goal is to make sure that every element of these transactions is documented properly from the perspective of tax compliance. Hence, they may need to review and research current taxation laws and memoranda in order to make sure all information is complete and accurate.

Other job duties of a tax manager include:

  • Overseeing the compiling and submission of tax returns of individuals, trusts, partnerships, and corporations to ensure they are compliant
  • Line managing an organization’s accounting staff
  • Taking part in tax research and planning activities

Where Tax Manager’s Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 62,100 tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents in 2016, a professional group that includes tax managers. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Federal government: 43%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals: 39%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals: 18%

How to Become a Tax Manager

A tax manager has to have a background in finance and an in-depth understanding of tax law and the taxation process. They must be able to communicate about this so that their clients, who do not have an understanding of tax law, can understand it. Hence, a bachelor’s degree in a financial field such as accounting with a tax law concentration is usually beneficial. A master’s degree is often preferred, and those with CFP (Certified Financial Planner), Enrolled Agent, or CPA (Certified Public Accountant) designations are in particularly high demand.

It is also common for a tax manager to be proficient in Microsoft Office and QuickBooks. So much so, in fact, that many obtain voluntary certifications in those areas. They must also have an in-depth understanding of various forms of accounting software, which they use in a detailed manner.

Tax Manager Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required for someone to be a tax manager with a major in accounting, finance, or a relevant field. They are also expected to have experience in tax compliance, auditing, or accounting. To work for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they must also have worked in a relevant field for at least one year.

Master’s degrees are often preferred in areas relating to economics, business administration, or accounting. This provides them with more specialized experience in areas such as tax analysis, bookkeeping, or accounting. Some come from a credit management or baking background.

Training is also very important. As tax laws continuously change, a tax manager must remain up to date with their knowledge, focusing on both the tax code and on relevant enforcement procedures. It is common for employers to ask for a tax manager to be a CPA, CFP, or enrolled agent. This requires further education, often to master’s degree level.

Online Degree Option

For many aspiring accountants, studying online is possible. This is understandable because it means that they can work and study at the same time. For those looking into a master’s degree, this is a particularly viable option. Do make sure, however, that your degree program is properly accredited. This will tell you that the core curriculum meets or exceeds, the minimum standards. The Southern New Hampshire University, for instance, offers the Master of Accounting online as well as a number of other Accounting and Finance degree options.

Tax Manager Traits & Qualities

The most effective have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Math skills
  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written
  • Desire to learn

Minimum Tax Manager Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Tax Manager Salary

The national average salary estimate for Tax Manager was $107,133. This number is estimated from over 3,241,724 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $55.80 and monthly of $8,928.

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$43,000

$199,000

Salary Distribution

Tax Manager Salary by State

The following section lists Tax Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Connecticut had the largest quoted salary of $123,564 while Montana had the smallest quoted salary of $66,111.

AlaskaIdahoMontanaRhode Island
AlabamaIllinoisNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
ArkansasIndianaNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
ArizonaKansasNebraskaTennessee
CaliforniaKentuckyNew HampshireTexas
ColoradoLouisianaNew JerseyUtah
ConnecticutMassachusettsNew MexicoVirginia
DCMarylandNevadaVermont
DelawareMaineNew YorkWashington
FloridaMichiganOhioWisconsin
GeorgiaMinnesotaOklahomaWyoming
HawaiiMissouriOregon
IowaMississippiPennsylvania
Alaska$101,038Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like VALiNTRY Services.

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$51,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
Alabama$88,044Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PANGEATWO, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Vaco, LLC, and CyberCoders.

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$41,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas$83,094Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, CyberCoders, Accounting Career Network, and VALiNTRY Services.

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$37,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$104,229Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Management Resources, Vaco, LLC, Smithfield Foods, and HireScout Inc.

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$51,000

$175,000

Salary Distribution
California$114,865Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Marcum Search LLC, Smithfield Foods, AppleOne, and Bertram & Associates.

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$52,000

$201,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$102,730Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Navigator Recruiting, Oxford Tax Recruiting, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and CITY OF THORNTON.

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$51,000

$172,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$123,564Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like NORTH STAR, Direct Hire – Full Time, The Forum Group, and One Search Consultants, LLC.

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$50,000

$228,000

Salary Distribution
DC$119,688Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like True North Consultants, Bertram & Associates, Systematic business consulting, and Capital Search Group.

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$50,000

$218,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware$104,469Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Contemporary Staffing Solutions, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and firstPRO Inc..

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$38,000

$203,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$105,509Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pro Tax & Accounting Corp, Client of Roljobs Technology Services Pvt Ltd, South Florida Recruiters, and EY.

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$49,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$106,646Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bertram & Associates, True North Consultants, AquantUs, and EBSGroup.

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$49,000

$186,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii$71,509Rank: 49th
The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Staffing Solutions of Hawaii and Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

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$26,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa$89,405Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Career Search Associates, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Aerotek.

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$45,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$96,276Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

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$39,000

$177,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$109,278Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Paige Staffing and Placement Services, Smithfield Foods, Creative Financial Staffing, and CFS Inc..

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$48,000

$195,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$96,210Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Vaco, LLC, Creative Financial Staffing, and 3coast.

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$44,000

$167,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$80,953Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Marcuson-Beck & Associates, LLC, MJ Recruiters, LLC, and Professional Recruiting Partners, LLC.

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$21,000

$178,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$100,949Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Vaco, LLC, and CyberCoders.

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$42,000

$185,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$84,141Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gables Search Group, Bertram & Associates, True North Consultants, and Personnel Consulting Group.

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$31,000

$163,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$112,426Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like FYTE Recruitment, SNI Financial, Stone Staffing, Inc., and Smithfield Foods.

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$51,000

$198,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$112,802Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northstar Staffing Solutions, Smithfield Foods, Kforce Finance and Accounting, and Randstad Professionals.

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$57,000

$184,000

Salary Distribution
Maine$94,154Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Philbrook & Associates.

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$47,000

$149,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$97,166Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like 360 Headhunter, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Deloitte, and Robert Half Management Resources.

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$37,000

$184,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$90,520Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like gpac, EY, Oxford Tax Recruiting, and Marcuson-Beck & Associates, LLC.

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$38,000

$165,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$93,735Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SearchAccountingJobs, Accelerate Financial Staffing, Burchard and Associates, and Consortium International.

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$46,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi$78,130Rank: 48th
The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting and CyberCoders.

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$31,000

$145,000

Salary Distribution
Montana$66,111Rank: 50th
The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

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$20,000

$137,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$102,896Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Deloitte, EY, Robert Half Management Resources, and Pro Tax & Accounting Corp.

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$41,000

$193,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota$88,702Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cameron Craig Group, Step Beyond, Superior Search Consultants, Inc., and Clifton Johnson Associates, Inc..

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$41,000

$154,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$83,627Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Essential Personnel, Essential Personnel, Inc., and VALiNTRY Services.

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$34,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$91,106Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kforce Finance and Accounting, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Leddy Group.

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$46,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$122,250Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Henderson Harbor Group, The Forum Group, MATTERS OF MANAGEMENT LLC, and Kforce Finance and Accounting.

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$56,000

$212,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico$95,497Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Harshwal & Company , LLP, and CyberCoders.

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$31,000

$193,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$91,996Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Deloitte, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Groupe LEADER, and VALiNTRY Services.

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$41,000

$162,000

Salary Distribution
New York$120,498Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pure Search, USEReady (Recruiting on behalf of client), Kforce Finance and Accounting, and The Forum Group.

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$47,000

$227,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$101,505Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Peak Recruiting, Bertram & Associates, Career Brokers, Inc., and Mangrum Career Solutions, LLC.

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$42,000

$186,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$98,109Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parker and Lynch, CyberCoders, AcctKnowledge, and Fuse3 Solutions.

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$42,000

$176,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$97,451Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like gpac, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, VanderHouwen, and Creative Financial Staffing.

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$49,000

$162,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$108,700Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Contemporary Staffing, The Dubin Group, JCJ, LLC, and Xplora Search Group.

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$45,000

$199,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island$111,730Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Kforce Finance and Accounting, and CyberCoders.

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$56,000

$183,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$91,529Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, Career Brokers, Inc., gpac, and Accounting Career Network.

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$46,000

$139,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota$88,303Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Executive Recruiting Services, Inc..

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$44,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$91,724Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like VALiNTRY Services, CyberCoders, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Vaco, LLC.

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$46,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$106,522Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pro Tax & Accounting Corp, SSI Technical, True North Consultants, and Bertram & Associates.

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$43,000

$198,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$81,524Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Conner Recruiting, CyberCoders, PrincePerelson & Associates, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

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$39,000

$139,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$105,341Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City Skills, Robert Half Management Resources, WholePoint Systems, LLC, and Smithfield Foods.

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$38,000

$205,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont$88,570Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kforce Finance and Accounting, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and VALiNTRY Services.

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$44,000

$139,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$101,253Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Deloitte, EY, Robert Half Management Resources, and Complete Search Group.

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$46,000

$177,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$97,434Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, CyberCoders, gpac, and Encadria Staffing Solutions (Georgia-Pacific).

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$28,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming$88,069Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders and Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

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$44,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Tax Manager Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Tax Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Tax Manager Learn More

Related Tax Manager Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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