GS-0526 Tax Specialist — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Tax Specialist — GS-0526. The verified average salary for GS-0526 Tax Specialists is $87,956/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 499 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 499 • Redaction rate: 0.0%
GS-0526 Tax Specialist — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0526 Tax Specialist series showed 499 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $87,956/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
Salary = base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. REDACTED records (OPM data release policy) are excluded from averages. Pay plan: General Schedule (GS). View occupation salary detail on OPM FedScope →
GS-0526 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $87,956 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 499 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 499 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 0.0% | OPM redacts salary records for privacy-sensitive positions (DoD, law enforcement, intelligence). FedTools suppresses series averages when redaction exceeds 20%. |
| Pay plan(s) | General Schedule (GS) | Primary pay plan(s) used for this occupational series in the federal government. |
| Typical grades | GS-9 to GS-13 | Most common grade range for this series. Actual assignment depends on the position description and agency. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 46.34% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate x base pay = locality supplement. Included in the average salary above. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. Title 38 and special pay plans may exceed this cap. |
Top Agencies Employing GS-0526 Tax Specialists
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Internal Revenue Service (IRS / Treasury)
Key Duties — GS-0526 Tax Specialist
Representative duties for the 0526 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Analysis and research of complex tax law and regulatory provisions
- →Technical guidance development for IRS agents and taxpayers
- →Tax form and publication development and review
- →Legislative analysis and proposed rulemaking support
- →Large business and international tax issue analysis (LB&I)
About the GS-0526 Tax Specialist Series
Tax Specialists at the IRS provide technical expertise on complex tax law matters — distinct from Tax Examiners (0592) who process and examine returns. Specialists often work in IRS Chief Counsel functions, revenue procedures, and field coordination supporting Revenue Agents. The 0.0% redaction rate means every record is public, providing the most precise estimate. The $87,956 average reflects the GS-11 to GS-12 concentration of technical tax experts. A law degree (J.D.) or advanced accounting credentials (CPA with tax specialization) are common.
Calculate Your Exact GS-0526 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0526 Tax Specialist — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0526 Tax Specialist?
The verified average salary for the GS-0526 Tax Specialist series is $87,956 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (499 non-redacted records; 0.0% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0526 series?
The GS-0526 Tax Specialist series typically spans GS-9 to GS-13. Actual grade assignment depends on the position description, agency, and your qualifications. Use our GS Pay Calculator to look up the exact salary for any grade, step, and locality.
Which agencies employ GS-0526 Tax Specialists?
The largest federal employers of GS-0526 Tax Specialists include: Internal Revenue Service (IRS / Treasury). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0526 positions?
Federal civilian pay for GS positions = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). The GS table has 15 grades (GS-1 through GS-15) and 10 steps per grade. Locality adjustments range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% in San Jose–San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator for an instant result.
Do GS-0526 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0526 positions qualify for the full federal benefits package: FERS pension (1–1.1% × High-3 Salary × Years of Service), TSP with up to 5% agency match, FEHB health insurance (government pays ~70% of premium), FEGLI life insurance, and FEDVIP dental/vision. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
Other Federal Job Series Pay Pages
Salary data and workforce details for every GS occupational series in our database.
Data Accuracy Notice (YMYL): Salary figures are from the OPM Federal Workforce Data portal (EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026). The annualized_adjusted_basic_pay field captures base pay + locality pay under all pay plans (GS, Title 38, special rates). REDACTED records are excluded per OPM data release policy. FedTools publishes series-specific averages only when the non-redacted sample is representative (redaction ≤ 20%, n ≥ 50). This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.