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Benefits Overview
The Benefits of an IRS Career
Working for the US Federal Government has benefits that go far beyond those of a private-sector career. What else would you expect from one of the largest organizations in the country? And, at the IRS we take those benefits even further to give your career the kind of support you deserve, and your life the kind of support you need. Just take a look at our offerings below, and compare the difference.
Competitive Salaries + Locality Pay
Our basic salaries are set by Congress and are very competitive. Each year, the President and Congress consider whether or not to raise government-wide pay across-the-board. Your basic pay also includes Locality Pay — determined by your geographic location — that reflects the relative cost of labor across the country.
- Paid in addition to basic pay
- Ranges from 7% to 15%
For more information, review the OPM Pay Administration Main Page.
Transportation Subsidy
If you need help with your commuting transportation costs, the Transportation Subsidy is available in many locations to assist you.
Overtime Pay and Other Premiums
The IRS provides many premiums in addition to time-and-a-half for working more than 8 hours in a day, 40 hours in a week:
- Night (10% premium)
- Sunday (25% premium)
- Holiday (100% premium)
- Law Enforcement Officers Availability (25% premium)
Alternative Work Schedules
Typically, you will be given several choices to consider for your work schedule.
- "Flexitour" means you work an 8-hour day that allows you to set your own start and end times for the workday (within a range of hours). You may also accumulate up to 24 "credit" hours (above the 8 regular hours per day) which you can use to take time off without using your annual leave time.
Two "compressed work schedules" are available in most locations:
- The 4/10 option lets you work four 10-hour days per week and receive two days off per pay period (the pay period is 2 weeks).
- Under the 5/4/9 option, you work eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day, with one day off per pay period (the pay period is 2 weeks).
This benefit is only available in some offices, after completing 1 year of training.
Work-Life Programs
We offer expanded use of sick leave for family care purposes. You may:
- Use up to 12 weeks of your sick leave to care for family members
- Use an additional 12 weeks of unpaid leave, if warranted
We also offer a range of employee services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides 24/7 telephone and in-clinic professional counseling services to both employees and their family members on a wide range of issues. EAP is confidential, voluntary and free, and includes help with:
- Marital and Family Problems
- Grief and Loss
- Career Transitions, Job Pressures
- Anxiety and Stress
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse
- Physical or Emotional Abuse
- Major Life Change
- Depression
Annual Leave
The Annual Leave (paid time off) you earn is based on your years of government service. You'll earn:
- 4 hours per pay period, for up to 3 years of service
- 6 hours per pay period, for more than 3, but less than 15, years of service
- 8 hours per pay period, for more than 15 years of service (equal to more than 5 weeks of paid vacation time off per year)
You may carry forward 240 hours of annual leave to the next leave year.
Sick Leave
Our Sick Leave program offers you:
- 4 hours off per pay period
You may carry forward your sick leave to the next leave year. There is no limit to the amount of sick leave you may accumulate during your federal career.
Holiday Leave
You will enjoy the following 10 paid federal holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
In addition, the President may declare other holidays in recognition of specific events.
Leave-Sharing Programs
Two voluntary programs exist to support leave-sharing at the IRS:
- IRS Leave Bank
Open enrollment for this program is conducted twice a year. All you have to do is complete an enrollment form and donate the annual leave amount you earn in one two-week pay period. Once you are enrolled, if you have a medical emergency, such as illness or caring for a sick family member, you may use the IRS Leave Bank, even when you have exhausted your available leave.
- Government-Wide Leave Transfer Program
Through this program, you may donate your annual leave to federal employees in other agencies. To qualify to receive leave, your application indicating a personal or family medical emergency, including maternity situations, must be officially approved. Membership in the IRS Leave Bank program is not required.
Health Insurance
IRS participates in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) — one of the best health care insurance programs in the world. You may choose from a variety of healthcare plans and options, and your IRS health benefits cover you and your family members at reasonable rates. This program offers:
- One of the widest selection of plans in the country
- 350 participating providers
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
- Point-of-Service (POS) Plans
- Annual open season
- Coverage that continues into retirement, at the same rate
- Pre-tax options
Life Insurance
Full- and part-time employees are eligible for basic life insurance equal to their salary (up to the next $1,000), plus $2,000. Under this plan:
- The IRS pays one-third of the cost
- No physical is required
Optional coverage is also available, including:
- Additional life insurance for you
- Coverage for your spouse and eligible children
Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS)
All federal employees are automatically enrolled in one of the best retirement systems in the world. IRS retirement benefits include the Social Security base, plus an annuity derived from your earnings and length of service, as well as a portable tax-deferred savings plan. This three-tiered plan provides benefits for:
- Retirement
- Disability
- Survivors
As an IRS employee, you are required to pay about 1% of your salary to this program. You are vested after 5 years of service, or after 18 months for disability retirement.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Comparable to the best private-sector 401(k)-type plans, you can save up to 11% of your salary before taxes towards your retirement. This program features:
- An IRS match up to 4%
- No income tax is payable until retirement
- The opportunity to invest your money in various investment funds
Click here for more information about TSP.
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