GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist — Federal Salary & Workforce Data (2026)
Federal Tax Law Specialist — GS-0987. The verified average salary for GS-0987 Tax Law Specialists is $150,710/year (OPM FedScope, 2026). Data from 325 non-redacted OPM records (April 2026).
Salary Source: OPM Federal Workforce Data (EHRI Snapshot, April 2026) • Records included: 325 • Redaction rate: 4.1%
GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist — Pay at a Glance
Salary and workforce snapshot from OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026.
The GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist series showed 325 non-redacted federal employees in the April 2026 OPM snapshot. The verified average salary is $150,710/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-0987 Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Series Salary | $150,710 | OPM EHRI Snapshot (April 2026). 325 non-redacted records. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Non-redacted records (sample size) | 325 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, April 2026. REDACTED records excluded per OPM data release policy. |
| Redaction rate | 4.1% | 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-12 to GS-15 | 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-0987 Tax Law Specialists
Based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026). Actual grade, step, and locality assignment varies by position and location.
- →Internal Revenue Service (IRS — Office of Chief Counsel / Treasury)
- →Joint Committee on Taxation (Congress)
Key Duties — GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist
Representative duties for the 0987 occupational series based on OPM classification standards. Specific responsibilities vary by position and agency.
- →Tax legislation drafting and technical explanation development
- →Regulation and revenue ruling preparation (IRS Chief Counsel)
- →Tax controversy litigation support and Technical Advice Memoranda
- →Congressional testimony preparation on tax policy proposals
- →Coordination with Treasury on international tax treaty negotiations
About the GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist Series
Tax Law Specialists provide the highest-level legal and regulatory analysis on federal tax law — distinct from Tax Examiners (0592) who process returns and Tax Specialists (0526) who provide technical guidance. IRS Chief Counsel is the primary employer, supporting tax litigation and rulemaking. The 4.1% redaction is minimal. The $150,710 average reflects the GS-13 to GS-15 concentration of licensed attorneys with tax law specialization; a law degree (JD) with a tax law focus or LL.M. in taxation is the standard credential. This is the most senior tax series below the General Attorney series (0905).
Calculate Your Exact GS-0987 Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist?
The verified average salary for the GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist series is $150,710 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data (325 non-redacted records; 4.1% redaction rate). Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact pay by grade, step, and duty station.
What GS grades apply to the 0987 series?
The GS-0987 Tax Law Specialist series typically spans GS-12 to GS-15. 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-0987 Tax Law Specialists?
The largest federal employers of GS-0987 Tax Law Specialists include: Internal Revenue Service (IRS — Office of Chief Counsel / Treasury), Joint Committee on Taxation (Congress). These figures are based on the OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot (April 2026).
How is federal pay determined for GS-0987 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-0987 federal employees receive FERS retirement benefits?
Yes, most GS-0987 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.