Tax collector

"fire"

- The tax just doubled. Wouldn't want an accident, would we? Fire is sometimes so hard to control.

The Tax Collector was a soldier in The War. During the longstanding conflict, this soldier collected taxes from people in the occupied Fire Nation territories.

Role in the Mining Village
The Tax Collector was employed in an Earth Kingdom Mining Village, captured by the Fire Nation during The War. It was his duty to enforce taxation upon the citizens of the town for the benefit of the Fire Nation. His position granted him some measure of power, as seen by his commanding a small crew of Firebenders.

He was first seen when Sokka, Katara and Aang met with Haru and his mother inside her shop. When he entered, he emphasized that taxes had just doubled and demanded further payment from Haru's Mother. In response to her plea for consideration, he threatened burning down her business, generating fire between his hands in order to dissuade her from complaining.

This double taxation on his behalf portrayed a possible level of dishonesty and corruption. She paid him her alleged dues, yet he simply dropped the copper pieces, uninterested in the smaller currency of the Earth Kingdom, suggesting that his visit was not simply for the purpose of gathering taxes.

Other Duties
His duties stretch beyond the role of simple tax collection as well. Following Team Avatar's visit with Haru, the Fire Nation was tipped off that Haru had used Earthbending to save an elder from a collapsing mine shaft just outside of town. Gathering his crew of Firebenders, he visited Haru's home during the midnight hours, capturing him due to his Earthbending potential to ship him off to a metal Prison Rig suspended over the ocean.

It is unknown what became of him after the Earthbender revolt inspired by Team Avatar.