Customs and International Trade 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.

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HMRC, the UK's tax, payments, and customs authority, is looking for a skilled CIT Tax Specialist to join our Compliance Group.

Our role is vital, to bring in the money to pay for the country’s public services and give financial support to people. Our vision is simple, to be a trusted, modern tax and customs department. An organisation that makes it easy for our customers to get tax right, and hard for anyone to bend or break the rules.

LB is responsible for ensuring the tax compliance of the UK's largest businesses, managing tax risks and ensuring compliance through expert analysis and impactful negotiation. Be at the forefront of significant tax decisions influencing the nation's economy. Each business is allocated a Customer Compliance Manager (CCM) who works collaboratively with the businesses to help them get their tax right.

LB operates a regional structure with each region having a Deputy Director (DD) who is accountable for driving forward and delivering spending review commitments, the large business strategy, and to help manage fundamental changes in our organisation by building capability and engagement.

The G7 CIT Tax Professional will be responsible for supporting the DD and working with other members of the regional CIT team and Senior Leadership to deliver on their accountabilities.

Job description

The G7 CIT Tax Professional will provide critical expertise and leadership to support and lead case teams within the region in tackling non-compliance and delivering improved customer compliance, whilst being an active and visible presence in the wider HMRC CIT community, working flexibly across LB regions and CCG directorates in collaboration with key stakeholders in other areas of HMRC and externally.

The specific responsibilities of the role will include:

• Drive delivery of the LB work programme, LB compliance projects and LB Business Risk Review (BRR) commitments.
  
  
• Identify and address new areas of risk, focussing on current compliance project risk areas as well as potentially developing new areas of risk for future inclusion as compliance projects.
  
  
• Work with CCMs, customers and policy to deliver on national priorities and meet business objectives, providing critical support during a period of significant change in UK Customs.
  
  
• Act as lead specialist on sensitive and complex CIT technical issues, supporting CCMs in discussions with customers, leading technical discussions with legal advisers and policy owners, taking the lead role in progressing cases through HMRC governance and supporting the HMRC legal team through the litigation process.
  
  
• Lead HMRC engagement with industry bodies and other external stakeholders.
  
  
• Work with policy and other HMRC stakeholders to develop UK policy and systems.
  
  
• Provide leadership to the LB CIT community and build capability across LB to address critical and sensitive regime issues.
  
  
• Build CIT capability within teams, acting as coach and mentor to Tax Specialists of all grades and playing a key role with regional CIT Leads and managers in building and developing team capability and performance delivery.
  
  
• Build upon current projects addressing risk areas in the CIT regime and drive forward future project work aimed at addressing non-compliance, utilising and refining data led compliance approaches.
  
  
• Report to regional and national groups on role activity.

Person specification

We are looking for an experienced Customs and International Trade tax professional who is comfortable working in a dynamic, varied role tackling complex tax matters. As part of our team, you will play a vital role strengthening HMRC's efforts to ensure tax compliance and close the tax gap. You will lead and support high-profile Customs and International Trade enquiry cases for large businesses and multinational corporations, applying your skills in risk assessment, complex enquiry work, and real-time working.

You will have opportunities to interact with external customers and representatives, collaborate with cross-functional case teams, and contribute to building the professional tax community through mentoring, training, and knowledge sharing. We offer varied responsibilities consisting of resolving tax disputes, leading teams, shaping future tax policies, and interacting with senior business figures.

The role is 1 post in either Belfast, Edinburgh, or Glasgow.

Essential Criteria

It is essential that you are a qualified Customs and International Trade Tax Professional, holding one or more of the following qualifications in the Qualifications section below.

Desirable Criteria

• CTA with Cross-Border Indirect Taxation and VAT & Other Indirect Taxes papers; or Domestic Indirect Taxation and Cross-Border Indirect Taxation papers.
  
  
• ICAS Certificate in Customs and Trade.
  
  
• An accredited level 6 or above qualification (on the Framework for higher education for England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or a level 9 or above qualification (on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) in customs administration, customs compliance or similar relevant subject area.

Qualifications

It is essential that you are a qualified Customs and International Trade Tax Professional, holding one or more of the following qualifications:

• Chartered Tax Adviser (CIOT)

• Advanced Diploma in International Taxation (COIT)

• AIIT (including Paper 4*)

• A 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 Ireland (ICAI)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

• Post Graduate full legal qualification - in taxation matters

• For previous or existing HMRC employees, completion of the 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) as a tax professional

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• At Interview, you will asked a technical question about delivering a customs project/event in a compliance environment.

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. 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 Behaviours, Strengths, 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, qualifications and previous experiences. Your CV should cover up to your last 5 roles, detailing your responsibilities and key achievements (max 100 words per role).
  
  For each role please include:
  Dates in role (MM/YY-MM/YY):
  Employer:
  Job Title:
  Please also specify the qualification(s) you hold as required in the Essential Criteria.
  
  
• A 500-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience align to the person specification.

Please evidence any Desirable Criteria where applicable, (up to 250 words max). This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy holder where candidates have the same score at interview.

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

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on your CV.

At full sift your CV and 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, your experience, behaviours, strengths and technical skills will be assessed, to determine your suitability for the role, as well as to explore what you enjoy, and what motivates you.

You will be asked a technical question about delivering a customs project/event in a compliance environment.

This is an example of a strengths-based question

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for CTC is 3 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

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 (opens in a new window).

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.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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 : Claire Duffy
• Email : claire.duffy@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.