Direct Tax Specialist

Taxation; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A government tax agency in the UK seeks a Direct Tax Specialist to manage complex tax affairs in a dynamic environment. The role involves conducting investigations, providing expert advice on compliance, and working collaboratively with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have a Chartered Tax Adviser qualification and experience in complex Direct Tax matters. Offers hybrid working conditions and a competitive salary package including pension contributions and generous leave allowances.

Benefits

Civil Service pension contributions

Flexible working options

Generous leave allowance

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of Direct Tax compliance principles.
• Recent experience on complex Direct Tax issues.
• Strong ability to convey technical information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations into taxpayers' records.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Resolve technical queries from junior compliance caseworkers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

Chartered Tax Adviser – CIOT

Post Graduate legal qualification – taxation

Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) qualification

Tools

Data analysis tools

Compliance audit tools

Job description

Overview

As a Direct Tax Specialist, you will be working on highly sophisticated and sensitive tax affairs across a range of dynamic customer sectors, and with a range of internal and external stakeholders. This specialist role provides an excellent opportunity for you to leverage your substantial knowledge of Direct Tax issues, conducting investigations and providing expert advice to colleagues.

Candidate Information Session

Candidate information session will be held 12.30pm Wednesday 14th January. Register at https://forms.office.com/e/2dYj7T3vUT.

Person Specification

We have roles in both National & Technical Compliance (N&T) and Campaigns & Projects (C&P).

N&T

• Focus on direct tax risk, tackling tax evasion and non‑compliance in the largest and most complex cases in the small business and individual population, including Companies (mainly owner‑managed businesses, therefore working companies and directors as part of linked compliance checks), Partnerships, and Sole Traders.
• Conduct investigations into taxpayers' records, analysing evidence of non‑compliance. If irregularities are found, address these with the taxpayer in line with tax legislation and educate the taxpayer where applicable.
• Act as an escalation point to resolve technical queries from more junior compliance caseworkers.
• Work as part of a team of people trained in different tax regimes and who work together to ensure all risks in a case are thoroughly tested.
• Investigations can be desk‑based or require face‑to‑face meetings with the taxpayer at HMRC offices or visiting taxpayers’ premises at a wide range of locations.

C&P

• At the heart of HMRC’s overall response to risk, providing technical and specialist support across a number of projects.
• Fastest growing compliance area within HMRC, with 3,000 people working in C&P, the majority of whom are Tax Professionals at Band O and above.
• Small team of G7 tax professionals providing technical guidance across all C&P’s projects, working through complex issues with stakeholders across HMRC to find workable solutions to technical, process and policy issues.
• Working in a highly visible, complex, challenging and exciting fast‑paced environment with senior stakeholders.
• Resilience is key to the role; adapt to business priorities to effectively support caseworkers within C&P’s unique operating model.
• Identify technical risks that impact across the wider business, providing mitigating actions as required.
• Analyse different data sources to create robust recommendations to support technical principles and build individual capability.

Essential Criteria

• Substantial and demonstrable knowledge of Direct Tax compliance principles and regulations.
• Recent demonstrable compliance experience working on the most complex Direct Tax issues.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify and address complex Direct Tax issues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and build positive working relationships.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and staying up to date with industry trends and best practices.

Additional Location information – Transitional Sites

• Benton Park View, Newcastle – moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle.
• Trinity Bridge House, Salford – moving to alternative office in Manchester / Salford.

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 Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Qualifications

• Chartered Tax Adviser – CIOT.
• AIIT (including Paper 4*).
• Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) membership qualification including:
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales (ICAEW).
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS).
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI).
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Post Graduate full legal qualification – in taxation matters.
• For previous or existing HMRC employees TSP or predecessor qualification (TPDP, IDP, ITS2, CPT FT2) – (note: existing HMRC employees would only be eligible if they have completed the appropriate course to get them to G7 level (or above) in a tax professional role).

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills

• Experience in conducting compliance audits or reviews.
• Direct Tax knowledge.
• Knowledge of other tax regimes and their interactions with Direct Tax.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools and techniques.

Benefits

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.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments.

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.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.