HMRC jobs: roles and how to apply

HMRC is one of the largest civil service employers, with over 66,000 staff, and it recruits for permanent and temporary posts, senior leadership roles and a Tax Graduates scheme. Most jobs do not need a degree, and the main exception is tax inspector, entered through the Tax Specialist Programme.

How HMRC recruits

The HMRC careers site lists four headings: permanent roles, temporary roles, senior leadership positions and the Tax Graduates scheme. You can join a Talent Network to hear about future roles, career events and newsletters before a vacancy opens. Many civil service vacancies are advertised on Civil Service Jobs, and our Civil Service Jobs website guide explains how that site works.

The careers pages give no pay by grade, so read the salary line in each advert. Two specific roles have their own guides: HMRC customer service adviser and HMRC compliance caseworker.

Becoming a tax inspector

The National Careers Service describes tax inspectors as people who make sure the correct amount of tax is paid by individuals, businesses and public organisations. The usual way in is direct application to the Tax Specialist Programme (TSP).

• You need a degree in any subject at second class honours or above.
• You do not need prior knowledge of taxation, because the programme teaches it.
• You do not need a degree if you already work in the Civil Service.
• You must meet the Civil Service nationality requirements.

The TSP takes three to four years, working across different HMRC departments to gain experience of all areas of taxation. Tasks listed include visiting companies to interview directors, lawyers and accountants, examining business accounts, negotiating tax settlements, investigating suspected fraud and tax evasion, and representing HMRC at appeals tribunals. The National Careers Service gives typical pay from £30,000 for a starter to £66,000 for an experienced inspector, on 37 to 40 hours.

With experience you can specialise in large business compliance, VAT or fraud investigation, or move to the private sector as a tax adviser.

Skills tax inspectors need

The National Careers Service lists economics and accounting knowledge, analytical thinking, attention to detail, the ability to work alone, maths, legal knowledge of tax regulations, written communication and customer service. Work takes place in a client’s business or an office, typically between 8am and 6pm. You may also lead a team of caseworkers and administrative staff, and manage relationships between HMRC and its customers.

Terms and conditions

The terms page for applicants says:

• Full-time hours are 37 a week excluding unpaid breaks, the same in and out of London. Standard operating hours are 7am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and the Customer Services Group has its own late-shift pattern.
• Annual leave starts at 25 days and rises by one day a year to a maximum of 30. Public holidays are extra: 8 plus one privilege day in England and Wales.
• New joiners complete a six-month probationary period.
• Most full-time staff can use flexible working hours unless the role is marked unsuitable. Some business areas have shift or location requirements.
• Staff are expected to spend 60 per cent of their working time in the office, which typically leaves two home working days a week.
• HMRC can require you to take other duties suited to your grade, to transfer to another HMRC or Civil Service post in the UK or abroad if business needs require, or to work on detached duty away from home.

The HMRC careers site lists enrolment in the Civil Service Pension Scheme with employer contributions, covered in our Civil Service pension guide. The terms page itself does not state pension terms, and it is not a full contract, so check your offer.

Working in different parts of HMRC

The terms page notes that some business areas operate under Directorate Working Arrangements, which may require shifts or specific locations, and that HMRC operates seven days a week. The Customer Services Group has its own roster with one weekday late shift between 5pm and 8pm every week and a maximum of six Saturdays a year. Check the advert for which area the role sits in, because hours and location rules can differ between areas.

Applying

Register for the Talent Network if you want early notice, then apply through the vacancies on the careers site. For the written parts of a civil service application, our guides to Civil Service behaviours and Civil Service personal statements help.