Description
Do you enjoy analysing complex information, solving difficult problems, working with people and making evidence-based decisions?
You'll join HMRC in a permanent role from day one and develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to become a Senior Tax Specialist.
As part of HMRC's Tax Specialist Programme (TSP), you'll help ensure the right amount of tax is collected, supporting the funding of vital public services such as schools and hospitals across the UK.
Programme at a glance
- Permanent role from day one
- Structured 3 to 4 year development programme
- Open to graduates and eligible existing Civil Servants
- No previous tax experience required
- Minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent Level 6 qualification), or eligibility as a current Civil Servant recruited through fair and open competition
- Real responsibility from an early stage
- Automatic promotion on successful completion of the programme
- Clear route into a specialist professional career
Job description
From early in the programme, you'll work on real tax cases involving individuals, businesses and professional advisers.
You'll:
- Manage your own workload and priorities while working with complex information and developing professional judgement;
- Work directly with customers, accountants and tax advisers through face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, video calls and written correspondence;
- Gather and evaluate evidence to build an understanding of complex situations;
- Review evidence and resolve tax enquiries, helping customers get their tax right and ensuring the correct amount of tax is collected, including statutory interest and penalties where appropriate;
- Build specialist knowledge across a range of tax areas, including Corporation Tax, Personal Tax, VAT, Employment Duties and Customs;
- Develop communication, negotiation, influencing, decision-making and leadership skills as your experience grows.
What you can expect from the programme
The Tax Specialist Programme combines workplace responsibilities with structured learning and assessment.
You'll balance:
- Customer-facing tax casework;
- Formal learning and development;
- Independent study;
- Written and verbal assessments;
- On-the-job learning supported by experienced tax professionals.
The programme is demanding and requires commitment, organisation and resilience. You'll be expected to take ownership of your development and demonstrate progress throughout the programme while meeting the required standards in both workplace performance and formal assessments.
Flexible working
HMRC supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements where business needs allow.
As a trainee on the Tax Specialist Programme, you'll be expected to balance workplace learning, customer engagement and professional development activities. Due to the nature of the programme:
- A minimum of 28 working hours per week is required;
- You'll be expected to work from an HMRC office for at least 60% of your working time;
- Attendance at classroom-based learning events and programme activities is required;
- Travel may be required where business needs require it, including attending meetings and visits away from your home office location;
- Part-time working may increase the overall duration of the programme.
Person specification
We're looking for people who are curious, motivated by complex analytical work and interested in building a long-term career in tax.
You'll need to demonstrate:
- The ability to work with complex information and competing viewpoints;
- Curiosity and a willingness to learn;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- Professionalism and sound judgement;
- Effective organisation and time management;
- Resilience and determination;
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Commitment to a structured professional development programme.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £37,682, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £10,916 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
As part of HMRC, you'll have access to a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and career, including:
- Civil Service Pension with employer contributions of at least 28.97%;
- Annual leave starting at 25 days and increasing to 30 days with qualifying service;
- Flexible and hybrid working options where business needs allow;
- Learning and development opportunities;
- Family-friendly policies and wellbeing support;
- A diverse and inclusive working environment.