Tax Assessor Training and Education Programs
Tax assessors determine the value of land and property for a government agency. You can become a tax assessor with a college degree and by meeting state requirements. Professional credentials are also available. Read on to learn more about the training and education you need.
What You Need to Know
As a tax assessor, you'll determine the value of real estate for taxation purposes. In general, assessors usually hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, like accounting or business administration. Certification is typically required.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td> Bachelor's degree in most cases; associate's degree required for certification</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training</b></td><td> Employers may require basic assessment courses, on-the-job training and the experience required to become certified</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Salary (2021)</b></td><td> $61,340 per year (median salary for appraisers and assessors of real estate)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoIDoAsATaxAssessor">What Do I Do As a Tax Assessor?</h3><p>You'll typically work for a county agency and may work as a residential or commercial assessor. Your work will involve valuing a larger number of properties at one time, usually on an annual basis, to determine how much property tax owners must pay for the upcoming year. As a tax assessor, you'll need to be knowledgeable about current tax assessment laws and procedures and be comfortable defending your assessments to owners who may challenge their property tax figures.
</p><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 76,100 real estate appraisers and assessors in 2021, with a 4% growth in job opportunities projected for the 2021-2031 decade. Appraisers and assessors made an estimated median annual wage of $61,340 as of 2021, according to the BLS.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypeOfTrainingProgramsAreAvailable">What Type of Training Programs Are Available?</h3><p>You'll need at least a bachelor's degree to work as a tax assessor. Coursework that is helpful and may be preferred by employers, according to the BLS, includes majors such as:
</p><ul><li>Math
</li><li>Finance
</li><li>Economics
</li><li>Real estate law
</li><li>English
</li></ul><p>Federal law does not require that you obtain a tax assessment certification before you can work as an assessor, but many states do, according to the BLS. Those state governments may offer certifications at various levels for tax assessors. Qualifications typically include at least an associate's degree and additional training in courses such as appraisal, real estate law and related topics.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAboutProfessionalCertification">What About Professional Certification?</h3><p>When learning to become a tax assessor, you may want to combine job training with professional credentials to improve your advancement opportunities. The International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) offers professional designations to tax assessors and those in related specialties through an examination. You'll need at least three years of professional experience and may have to document completed projects in your field.
</p><p>Each IAAO designation also requires you to take at least five IAAO-sponsored educational courses. These courses are grouped by your specialty, and may be taken to renew your certification.</p>