Corporation Tax Specialist

Job summary

Discover what it’s like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.

The Corporation Tax Specialist plays a vital role in HMRC's mission to reduce the Tax Gap attributed to Corporation Tax risks. This position requires you to:

• Apply technical Corporation Tax knowledge.
• Interpret complex financial accounts and tax computations.
• Identify areas of tax risk and support investigations into complex customer tax positions.

Job description

As a Senior Officer Corporation Tax specialist, you will be responsible for interpreting multifaceted financial accounts and tax computations to identify areas of tax risk and support compliance investigations into complex customer tax positions.

You will liaise with Customer Compliance Managers and communicate with customers to ensure effective compliance outcomes. You will build professional relationships both internally and externally, using your knowledge and experience to build capability within the wider Corporation Tax Team and to support compliance activities across the organisation.

This role offers excellent opportunities for professional development, with successful candidates encouraged to develop their Corporation Tax knowledge and leadership skills through relevant and appropriate learning opportunities within HMRC. You will work in a supportive environment that values diversity, offers flexibility and work-life balance and provides a clear path for career advancement. The position is based on hybrid working arrangements, allowing you to balance your professional responsibilities with personal and family needs whilst contributing to work that makes a real difference to the nation.

Travel may be required from time to time to fulfil this role, for example to attend customer meetings.

Person specification

The focus of your work will be on Corporation Tax risk, identifying potential legislative errors and non-compliance in the largest and more complex cases in the Large Business population.

You will:

• Support the owners of key areas of Corporation Tax risk within Large Business and help develop strategies to reduce the Tax Gap.
• Demonstrate technical expertise in Corporation Tax, effectively interpret legislation and case law and apply this knowledge to compliance activities and real-world tax scenarios. Stay updated on legal changes and their impact.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment with Customer Compliance Managers (CCMs), Tax Specialists, and other stakeholders to support compliance activities.
• Use strong analytical skills to assess complex financial accounts, tax computations and risk data to identify areas of CT risk. Understand how accounting treatments influence tax positions and spot areas needing further review.
• Support investigations into LB customer CT positions and provide technical advice and expertise by gathering and analysing evidence, following investigative processes and applying logical reasoning to reach sound conclusions. Tackle ambiguity and resolve technical challenges with practical solutions.
• Build relationships and communicate effectively with customers and internal stakeholders. Collaborate across teams, manage challenging conversations and maintain productive dialogue during compliance activities.
• Draft clear, accurate and professional technical communications, explaining complex topics in accessible language to both customers and colleagues. Ensure written work is well-organised and suited to sensitive or contentious issues.
• Build professional relationships and share technical expertise to develop CT capability and contribute to wider Corporation Tax compliance through mentoring, guidance and upskilling.
• Identify new and emerging risks and propose proactive and innovative solutions for continuous improvement.
• Be a visible leader, positively engaging with change and promoting best practice.
• Adhere to HMRC governance frameworks and ensure all work meets legal and regulatory standards while maintaining confidentiality and integrity.

Essential Criteria

• A background in and in-depth knowledge of Corporation Tax with experience of working in a Corporation Tax environment within the last two years, demonstrating your ability to apply technical knowledge to real-world scenarios and stay current with legislative developments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships, manage challenging conversations, and collaborate effectively across teams and with external customers.
• Demonstrable experience of analysing complex information, financial data, or business scenarios to identify patterns, risks, or areas requiring further investigation.
• A proven track record of recent and relevant Corporation Tax experience and demonstrable skills in the areas outlined in the Personal Specification will be equally valued.

Transitional Sites

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it’s important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

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.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• A technical exercise enabling candidates to demonstrate their understanding of Corporation Tax Risk.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £13,194 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRChear from our insiders or visitThinking of joining the Civil Service

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 detailing your job history and previous experiences based on how you meet the Essential Criteria, covering up to your last 5 roles (max 300 words per role), and detailing how you meet your responsibilities and key achievements for this role.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

At full sift your CV 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

Candidates will be asked a series of experience-based questions as well as being presented a technical exercise enabling candidates to demonstrate their understanding of Corporation Tax Risk.

The interview will begin with a technical question/assessment. You’ll be given the question at the start and will have 15 minutes to consider your response before presenting your answer to the panel.

You will also be asked Experience based questions to assess your experience and explore in detail what you are capable of and this is an opportunity to evidence your expertise.

Interviews will take place via video link.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will 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.

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

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:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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 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)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (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 theCivil 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 : Elizabeth McLachlan-Pinder
• Email : elizabeth.mclachlan@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information

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.