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Tax Specialist - Inheritance Tax (Assets)

Tax Specialist - Inheritance Tax (Assets)

  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  • Flexible working
  • Full-time
  • Job share
  • Part-time

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  • Closing on: Nov 26 2026
  • £60,473 - £67,909
About the job

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.

HMRC's Wealthy compliance teams ("Wealthy") are responsible for the tax compliance of the UK's wealthiest individuals. Wealthy individuals often have complex tax affairs that present significant challenges to an effective tax administration. Given the size and nature of the tax at risk within the wealthy population it increases the opportunities and risks of non-compliance.

Our teams assure the tax paid by wealthy individuals and tackle risks and non-compliant behaviours to ensure that wealthy individuals contribute to the health of the tax system. This involves a strong, policy, technical and data led approach to promoting compliance and preventing non-compliance that encourages and supports the customer to get things right first time.

The Assets Compliance Team is part of the Wealthy Individuals and Mid-Sized Business Compliance (WMBC) division within the Customer Compliance Group. Responsible for resolving tax disputes and preventing non-compliance to close the tax gap for Inheritance Tax, Trusts, Stamp Duty Land Tax & Reserve Tax, Pensions, Savings and Transfer of Assets Abroad. These areas of the UK tax system have a diverse customer base, are governed by complex legislation and are reputationally sensitive areas of WMBC, involving important life events for our customers.

Inheritance Tax [IHT] is a complex and sensitive part of our business where we focus on supporting our customers to get IHT right first time, prevent early mistakes and non-compliance and therefore avoid the need for follow up checks. These activities require comprehensive planning, working closely with stakeholders across HMRC to ensure our compliance activities align with strategic and policy objectives.

Our approach is tailored to the risk that is presented by our customers.

Job description

The role will involve providing a broad range of advice to support colleagues across HMRC who are undertaking enquiries into some of the most challenging IHT cases including tax avoidance and evasion involving often complex structures or other bespoke arrangements.

We are looking for tax specialists with experience of providing IHT advice to clients and Trustees.

This is an interesting and challenging role, and we are looking for individuals who are flexible and adaptable to meet priorities that change at short notice.

You will also need to be innovative, to identify and address new challenges and evolve our approach to the delivery of quality customer service.

You will:
  • Conduct research to enhance technical knowledge in relevant areas and actively engage in continuing professional development, including staying current with case law and professional literature
  • Communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, tailoring both written and verbal communication to meet diverse needs
  • Analyse and evaluate current legislation, practices, and processes to identify risks to HMRC and propose improvements and practical solutions
  • Manage workloads independently, demonstrating strong organisational skills and the ability to adapt to business changes and shifting priorities
  • Demonstrate self-awareness and resilience, working collaboratively to understand and consider the perspectives, motivations, and aspirations of both customers and colleagues
  • Be part of the WMBC Assets Leadership Team, reporting to the Assistant Director
  • Support Inheritance Tax compliance caseworkers where compliance checks have reached dispute stage and need to be resolved through agreement, Alternative Dispute Resolution or litigation, acting within HMRC's Litigation and Settlement Strategy
  • Own and effectively manage a caseload of complex Inheritance Tax work
  • Role model Compliance Profession Standards and make a significant contribution to the Professionalism Risk Plans and towards Compliance Professionalism
  • Establish, build and maintain professional relationships with key senior stakeholders across HMRC, working across grades to influence and negotiate on business issues.
  • Build capability across the team and directorate, helping to create and embed an environment of continuous improvement, identifying gaps in technical knowledge and supporting development and delivery of learning
Occasional travel (including overnight stays) will be expected as part of the role.

Person specification

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate relevant experience and effective delivery of the following essential criteria, as well as their qualifications.

Essential Criteria
  • Completion of at least one of the qualifications listed below.
  • Recent demonstrable experience helping clients with inheritance tax, estate planning, and succession matters.
  • Ability to ensure clients comply with UK tax and legal requirements.
  • Demonstrable leadership experience in a tax planning environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex tax matters in a clear and simple way to diverse audiences
Further Location Information

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.

Qualifications
This is a tax professional role. Applicants must have completed at least one of the following: -Chartered Tax Adviser (CIOT) -Advanced Diploma in International Taxation (CIOT) -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. -STEP practitioner -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) with direct tax professional experience. -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) as a tax professional). In October 2023, a decision was made that applicants for G7 Tax Professional roles must have successfully completed the Tax Specialist Programme or hold an equivalent qualification. To enable career development for experienced colleagues already in Tax Professional roles, if you have been successful in gaining a G7 Tax Professional role through open competition prior to October 2023, and you are not subject to any Performance Management action, you are now able to apply on level transfer for other G7 Tax Professional roles.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,473, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £17,519 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.
  • 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 HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking 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

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 and previous experiences to reference how you meet the Essential Criteria outlined in the advert. For each job role please provide a brief description of the role, your responsibilities and key achievements (max 300 words per role).
  • In the CV Qualification Box please only confirm the mandatory qualifications you hold.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

At full sift your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria and full qualifications list, 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 interviewyou will be asked Experience based questions in relation to the Essential Criteria and Job Specification within the advert,

Candidates will also be asked to deliver a 5-7 minute experienced based presentation demonstrating their ability in relation to what has been outlined in the essential criteria. The topic will be provided within the interview confirmation.

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.

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.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

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 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)
  • 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 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 : Daniel Glover
  • Email : daniel.glover@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.

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