revenue agent

A revenue agent is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee who conducts complex tax audits of filers. Their role includes determining tax liability for individuals or entities selected for an audit and servicing inquiries from individuals regarding their tax liability. This role contrasts with revenue officers, who collect tax, often from individuals with significant outstanding tax liability. 

For additional information, see the IRS website on How to Know it’s the IRS. 

[Last reviewed in July of 2026 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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