Direct Tax Policy and Technical Specialist
Added 3 Sept · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£48,500
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2423 (88% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £48,500, and HM Revenue & Customs is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2439 (Business, research and administrative professionals not elsewhere classified., Policy development and advising ministers could fit policy professional). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
About the role
About The Job
Job summary
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.
These vacancies are for tax policy and technical professionals in the Financial Products and Services Team (FPST) within Business, Assets and International (BAI). BAI is HMRC's centre of expertise for direct business and international taxation, as well as the taxation of capital assets. Within BAI, FPST is responsible for tax policy development and technical advice across a wide range of financial instruments and transactions. The team also designs and maintains specialist tax regimes and processes for the financial services sector, including banking, insurance, collective investment schemes and asset management.
Job Description
Successful candidates will join a high-performing, collaborative and supportive team, leading complex and rewarding direct tax policy and technical work. Responsibilities will be tailored to the successful candidates' skills and experience but will focus on the taxation of financial instruments generally rather than on the financial sector specifically. The roles will include developing tax policy and providing technical advice and support to compliance colleagues on casework, including contributing to the litigation of cases through the courts.
You will encounter novel, challenging and economically significant issues and situations. You can expect to be involved in the development of tax policy, advising ministers, and you will be involved in and lead on advising operational colleagues on the technical aspects of significant tax disputes and on their policy implications. Close, effective and collaborative partnering with colleagues from across BAI and wider HMRC (particularly compliance directorates), as well as HM Treasury and non-government stakeholders, will be essential. You will engage with high calibre professional tax advisers acting on behalf of major taxpayers.
You will work on, and have responsibility for, the taxation of certain types of financial instrument (for example corporate debt, derivatives, crypto assets, tokenised assets)and you may work on particular tax regimes, such as the Corporate Interest Restriction. There will be some flexibility around the precise allocation of subject matter.
The Roles Are Likely To Include
Job summary
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.
These vacancies are for tax policy and technical professionals in the Financial Products and Services Team (FPST) within Business, Assets and International (BAI). BAI is HMRC's centre of expertise for direct business and international taxation, as well as the taxation of capital assets. Within BAI, FPST is responsible for tax policy development and technical advice across a wide range of financial instruments and transactions. The team also designs and maintains specialist tax regimes and processes for the financial services sector, including banking, insurance, collective investment schemes and asset management.
Job Description
Successful candidates will join a high-performing, collaborative and supportive team, leading complex and rewarding direct tax policy and technical work. Responsibilities will be tailored to the successful candidates' skills and experience but will focus on the taxation of financial instruments generally rather than on the financial sector specifically. The roles will include developing tax policy and providing technical advice and support to compliance colleagues on casework, including contributing to the litigation of cases through the courts.
You will encounter novel, challenging and economically significant issues and situations. You can expect to be involved in the development of tax policy, advising ministers, and you will be involved in and lead on advising operational colleagues on the technical aspects of significant tax disputes and on their policy implications. Close, effective and collaborative partnering with colleagues from across BAI and wider HMRC (particularly compliance directorates), as well as HM Treasury and non-government stakeholders, will be essential. You will engage with high calibre professional tax advisers acting on behalf of major taxpayers.
You will work on, and have responsibility for, the taxation of certain types of financial instrument (for example corporate debt, derivatives, crypto assets, tokenised assets)and you may work on particular tax regimes, such as the Corporate Interest Restriction. There will be some flexibility around the precise allocation of subject matter.
The Roles Are Likely To Include
- Providing technical leadership on major tax disputes, up to and including litigation in court
- Providing technical advice and support to colleagues across HMRC and externally
- Representing HMRC externally on relevant policy and technical matters
- Developing tax policy and providing advice to ministers and HM Treasury.
- Running public consultations to support policy making
- Developing new legislation up to and including its passage through parliament
- Contributing to Fiscal Events.
- Working with senior industry representatives and their advisers to understand policy and technical issues
- Promoting knowledge and understanding of the taxation of financial instruments to build capacity across the department
- Developing, with appropriate support, professional knowledge and skills while contributing to team development.
As well as holding required qualifications, the successful applicants will need to demonstrate relevant experience and provide evidence of how they meet the following essential criteria.
Essential Criteria
- Having significant experience of working, taking a lead on and resolving complex direct tax issues in technical, policy or litigation contexts.
- Working to firm deadlines, while maintaining quality and managing ambiguity and uncertainty
- Possessing or being able to rapidly develop relevant technical knowledge and policy skills
- Establishing and developing collaborative and constructive working relationships even where aims and priorities may differ
- Possessing strong oral and written communication skills.
Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a 'Further Location Preferences (optional)' field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.
Leeds Locations
Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.
Qualifications
These are Tax Professional roles. The post holders must hold one or more of the following qualifications:
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
Qualifications
These are Tax Professional roles. The post holders must hold one or more of the following qualifications:
- HMRC's Tax Specialist Programme or predecessor qualifications (TPDP, IDP, ITS2, CPT, FT2)
- Chartered Tax Adviser (with direct taxes options)
- Advanced Diploma in International Taxation
- Full membership of one of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA, CIPFA), provided that direct tax matters make up a substantial part of your professional experience.
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Lawyer (including the Professional stage Business and Commercial Law module) in England and Wales (or equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland), provided that direct tax matters make up a substantial part of your professional experience.
- Equivalent Qualifications, to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Presentation demonstrating their tax technical experience and skills by way of real life examples. The presentation will focus in particular on drawing out candidates' experience of handling complex technical issues.
Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.
How To Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
- A name-blind CV, including your job history covering (up to) your last 5 roles. For each role, you should outline your key responsibilities and achievements, demonstrating how your experience is relevant to this role (maximum 300 words per role). You will also be asked to list your qualifications in a separate section.
- A 1000-word personal statement. Your Personal Statement should be aligned to and clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria for the role, as set out in the person specification part of the advert.
Sift
In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the CV.
At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, you will be assessed on Experience and a Technical Presentation.
You will be asked questions with reference to the job specification and essential criteria, to assess your experience and explore in detail what you are capable of, and this is an opportunity to evidence your expertise.
Candidates will also be asked to deliver a presentation demonstrating their tax technical experience and skills by way of real life examples. The presentation will focus in particular on drawing out candidates' experience of handling complex technical issues. Candidates will have 10 minutes to deliver a presentation, followed by questions from the panel. Further information about the presentation requirements will be provided in advance of the interview.
Interviews will take place via video link.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Please note that circumstances may arise that require the planned interview format to change. We will endeavour to provide you with as much notice of any change as possible.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form . Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .
Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.
The HMRC app can help you with your application
You will be asked questions with reference to the job specification and essential criteria, to assess your experience and explore in detail what you are capable of, and this is an opportunity to evidence your expertise.
Candidates will also be asked to deliver a presentation demonstrating their tax technical experience and skills by way of real life examples. The presentation will focus in particular on drawing out candidates' experience of handling complex technical issues. Candidates will have 10 minutes to deliver a presentation, followed by questions from the panel. Further information about the presentation requirements will be provided in advance of the interview.
Interviews will take place via video link.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Please note that circumstances may arise that require the planned interview format to change. We will endeavour to provide you with as much notice of any change as possible.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form . Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .
Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.
The HMRC app can help you with your application
The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.
If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.
Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.
How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account
Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.
If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.
You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.
You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.
Hybrid working at HMRC
HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).
Reasonable Adjustments
If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.
Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.
How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account
Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.
If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.
You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.
You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.
Hybrid working at HMRC
HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Technical Support
If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ' help ' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.
Important Information For Existing HMRC Contractual Homeworkers
This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Technical Support
If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ' help ' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.
Important Information For Existing HMRC Contractual Homeworkers
This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later
in this advert.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name : Andy Stewardson
- Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with HM Revenue & Customs, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 2423 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~26k in sampleP25 £37k~P75 £62k
£30kmedian £50kgoing rate £49k£62k
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at HM Revenue & CustomsAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. HM Revenue & Customs holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2423 going rate of £48,500. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.