Start with us, grow with us
Join our Tax Specialist Programme and develop expertise that matters.
Applications are currently closed, but will open on 29 September 2025.
Join us to shape the nation’s future while building your own.
Gain financial security, expert training from a world leading tax authority, and the pride of funding vital public services.
Now is the best time to join HMRC’s Tax Specialist Programme (TSP). Imagine stepping into a role where your analytical skills and intellect are challenged daily, where the decisions you make directly fund the schools, hospitals, and the essential services that millions depend on, where you’re provided with stability and clear career progression. That’s what you can expect when joining our Tax Specialist Programme.
This is more than just a graduate programme, it’s a place where you’re valued, consistently challenged, and part of something genuinely meaningful.
Here, your growth isn’t just a possibility, but a guarantee, mapped out from day one!
What you need to know
Applications
Opening 29 September 2025.
Entry requirements
- Expected to receive a 2:2 university degree or equivalent by September 2025. Existing civil servants do not need a degree to apply.
- No prior tax knowledge required.
- Have the right to work in the UK (we are unable to provide visa sponsorship)
Find out if you are eligible to work here by reading the Civil Service nationality rules.
Locations
14 regional centres across the UK.
Salary
Starting salary minimum of £36,320 (£41,289 in London). Upon successful completion, you’re guaranteed a promotion to a minimum of £56,344 (£63,397 in London).
Your tax specialist journey begins here
HMRC’s Tax Specialist Programme (TSP) offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and become an expert in tax. It is a 3-to-4-year training scheme, where you will be working on tax cases while also studying for exams.
Whether you’re a university graduate or an existing civil servant, this programme is designed to challenge and reward you, giving you the tools to handle complex tax issues and influence some of the most important financial decisions in the UK.
A graduate journey into leadership
Through immersive training led by world-class tax experts, you’ll develop specialist skills that directly fund vital public services while building a rewarding career.
You’ll be responsible for your own portfolio of casework from an early stage, dealing directly with customers who want to get their tax affairs right but need help as well as those deliberately getting it wrong. This casework will include challenging conversations with customers in person, by phone and video call.
You’ll also learn to lead teams and interact with senior business figures through a blend of virtual and face-to-face interaction.
Beyond professional development, you’ll have the opportunity to attend regular social events, join volunteering opportunities, and take advantage of flexible hybrid working that allows you to craft your week strategically.
It’s the combination of exceptional training and meaningful social impact that make us a standout graduate programme choice.
Our programme is challenging, requiring hard work and dedication.
Are you the ideal candidate?
We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals who are independent thinkers, strong problem solvers, committed to a 3 to 4-year training programme, team players, and adaptable to changing business needs. Integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to our core values are a must.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to hear from you!
“The structure of the TSP means you’re given the time to allow your knowledge and skills to mature, with the support of genuinely kind and helpful colleagues the entire way through.”
Kyra – 3rd year TSP trainee
“My confidence, especially when dealing with customers has grown and I feel I can now present issues with their tax affairs to them.”
Connie – 2nd year TSP trainee
A place where people matter, and futures grow
Why choose HMRC?
HMRC is one of the UK’s largest organisations, with around 66,000 employees, collecting over £875 billion in tax revenue.
At HMRC we are committed to helping our customers get their tax right. By making it easy for people to get tax right, and robustly tackling those who cheat the system, we run a fair and effective tax system, collecting the money for the UK’s public services, and giving financial support to people.
Making an impact
Tax funds everything the government does, from hospitals and schools to police and defence. We’re responsible for collecting taxes and duties from over 50 million people and five million businesses. We also administer various essential programmes, such as Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare, Statutory Pay, and Tax Credits. Our work includes protecting citizens through initiatives like enforcing the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage.
Transforming together
HMRC is going through an exciting time as we undertake a major transformation to modernise our organisation and deliver even better services to our customers. We’re embracing cutting-edge technology to make our jobs more efficient and connect us all. Our incredible journey is only possible with the support of our amazing team – that’s you!
A world of opportunities
At HMRC, we offer not just a job, but a rewarding career filled with challenges and opportunities. We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels respected and valued. Our priority is to ensure that every colleague at HMRC has a voice, feels safe, and can thrive.
Recognised excellence
We take great pride in being recognised for our excellence. In the 2025 TARGET Jobs awards, we were shortlisted for the most popular graduate recruiter in the banking, insurance, and financial services sector, as well as in the public sector.
Your career path as a tax specialist at HMRC
As part of HMRC’s Tax Specialist Programme, you’ll join our team of highly skilled tax professionals and tackle the most challenging aspects of compliance work. You will be working with customers to ensure HMRC is receiving the right tax at the right time. This will include raising assessments, reaching settlements, issuing repayments, and charging interest and penalties on any unpaid tax. You’ll play a vital role in collecting the money that powers public services.
Welcome to HMRC and begin your immersive induction into the Tax Specialist Programme.
You’ll meet your cohort of fellow trainees and be introduced to your manager and trainers who will guide you throughout your journey.
You’ll also start understanding your role within HMRC in helping customers pay the right tax at the right time whilst being required to work a hybrid working week with at least 60% of your time in the office.
The first 18 months provides you with foundation learning to the Compliance Caseworker role. Developing, building, and practicing the core requirements for this role through immersive training led by HMRC’s in-house experts.
You’ll experience a blend of dynamic virtual sessions and face-to-face interaction, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application through hands-on casework. This is the first part of the 2-stage training programme where you will complete formal and work-based learning assessments.
Ultimately, you’ll be provided with the knowledge, skills, and support to build your capabilities and enable you to meet the required standard.
After the 18-month foundation learning, you’ll be assigned to a business area and spend the remainder of your training working on a specific tax regime (Income Tax, Corporation Tax, VAT, etc.) further developing your technical skills and knowledge. You’ll learn to resolve tax disputes, interact with senior business figures, and tackle complex tax issues through real casework experience.
You’ll continue completing all elements of this second stage, including formal and work-based learning assessments, as you work towards becoming an effective Tax Professional.
The Tax Specialist Programme can take between 3 years 3 months and 4 years to complete.
On successful completion of the Tax Specialist Programme, you’ll receive automatic promotion to Grade 7 Tax Specialist role, which is a senior leadership position within HMRC with a minimum salary of £56,344 (£63,397 in London). This role offers pathways for continued advancement across HMRC.
The application process
Each stage of our application process builds towards identifying candidates who will thrive in our comprehensive training programme and develop into skilled tax professionals. We’re committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, ensuring every candidate has the opportunity to demonstrate their potential regardless of their background and tax knowledge.
First, you’ll be asked to enter some basic information about yourself and complete our application form through Civil Service Jobs.
You’ll then be invited to take 3 online tests. These are verbal, numerical and a skills test which will assess your capability and strengths.
The tests focus on the cognitive abilities essential for tax specialist work, helping us understand how you process information and approach problem-solving.
Successful candidates from the online testing stage will be invited to a recorded video interview, where you’ll be asked strength-based questions to explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to this role.
Successful candidates at the interview stage, will be invited to attend our half-day virtual assessment centre, which provides the most comprehensive evaluation of your potential as a Tax Specialist.
Successful candidates will be placed on a merit list and offered positions in order of merit and preferred location.
Meet current TSP trainees and recent graduates
Meet Connie
From growing her confidence to successfully juggling casework and training, Connie shares how strong team support helps her thrive in this fast-paced programme.
Meet Zain
From looking after the VAT of the world’s largest banks to mentoring junior staff, Zain shares how the TSP fast-tracked his career into a leadership role.
Meet Kyra
From studying literature to joining the TSP, Kyra shares how she’s grown into the role, the variety of work she’s embraced and the support that has defined her experience.
Meet Shannon
From being drawn to programme with its promise of variety and development, Shannon shares how her first year on the TSP has worked out.
“I’d not studied for some time, so I was a bit concerned about the assessments. The weekly tutorials really help to embed the learning, and study time is built into the course. I’ve found the assessments to be challenging but completely manageable.”
Joe – 3rd year TSP trainee
“There’s some great support for our wellbeing here, and I volunteer as part of the Nottingham wellbeing group for tax trainees.”
Bhavik – 2nd year TSP trainee
Frequently Asked Questions
Programme structure and training
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Tax Specialist Programme?
External candidates need a minimum 2:2 degree in any subject. We welcome applications from all degree disciplines, you don’t need a background in accounting, economics, or finance. For existing civil servants, no degree is required.
Is the programme professionally recognised?
Yes, the Tax Specialist Programme is industry-recognised with HMRC as a world-leading tax authority. While the programme doesn’t provide external accreditation, it delivers comprehensive tax expertise that is highly regarded throughout the industry. The skills and knowledge you gain are directly applicable to solving complex tax challenges and are valued both within HMRC and across the wider tax profession.
What training will I receive during the programme?
You’ll experience an immersive learning journey led by HMRC’s in-house experts through a blend of dynamic virtual sessions and face-to-face interaction. The training combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing you to develop specialist skills through hands-on casework. You’ll work with expert trainers who will guide you as you progress, with structured learning designed to build your technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and professional skills.
Career progression and benefits
What is the starting salary for the programme?
The TSP offers an above-market starting salary of a minimum of £36,320 (£41,289 in London). This competitive compensation reflects the value we place on our tax specialists from day one.
What is the career progression path after completing the TSP?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you’re guaranteed promotion to Grade 7 – a senior position within HMRC with a salary of £56,344 (£63,397in London). From there, many TSP graduates progress to leadership positions across HMRC and the wider Civil Service. The structured nature of the programme ensures clear pathways for advancement.
What work-life balance and other benefits can I expect during the programme?
HMRC is fundamentally an office-based organisation and while the role is not suitable for homeworking there is scope to work flexibly with the opportunity to work remotely 2 days a week as part of the opportunity to foster a sustainable work life balance.
We also offer 5 days of volunteering opportunities annually, family-friendly policies, and a supportive environment that recognises the importance of life outside work. Our comprehensive benefits package supports genuine work-life balance while still providing the structure and social connection that helps trainees thrive.
Can I join and work part-time hours?
The programme can be completed on part time hours, and the minimum number of hours is 28 hours per week. If you would like more information on this or have other general enquiries, please contact tsprecruitmentteam@hmrc.gov.uk.
Application process
What does the application process involve?
The application process consists of several stages. See details of the stages higher up on this page. Each stage is designed to identify candidates with the potential to succeed in the programme, regardless of their background or previous tax knowledge.
Do you offer visa sponsorship?
No, you are only eligible to apply for the Tax Specialist Programme if you satisfy both the nationality and right to work/Immigration requirements.
Nationality requirements (Civil Service nationality rules)
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements
You must have the right to work in the UK and meet the Immigration and Visa requirements on the GOV.UK Visas and Immigration page.
When do applications open for the 2026 Tax Specialist Programme?
Applications for the 2026 Tax Specialist Programme will open in September 2025. We recommend following @HMRCcareers on social media or signing up for job alerts on Civil Service Jobs to receive notifications when applications open. The application window typically remains open for several weeks, but we encourage early applications.
I am an existing civil servant – do I need a degree to apply?
No, existing civil servants do not need a degree to apply. Your hands-on experience is as valuable as a degree. In our 2025 campaign, over 40% of successful internal candidates did not have degrees. The TSP offers a structured path to Grade 7 that recognises and builds on your existing expertise, regardless of your educational background.
Do I need prior tax knowledge to apply?
No prior tax knowledge is required. We’re looking for candidates with strong analytical thinking, good communication skills, and the potential to develop into tax specialists. The programme is designed to provide you with all the technical knowledge you need, building from the fundamentals to advanced tax concepts. What matters most is your willingness to learn and your ability to apply new information to solve problems.
Start a career that grows with you at HMRC
Join the Tax Specialist Programme and thrive in a work culture that celebrates your whole self.
Applications are currently closed, but will open on 29 September 2025.
Start your HMRC journey today by looking at the vacancies we have available.
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