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Tax inspector

Alternative titles for this job include Senior tax professional

Tax inspectors make sure the correct amount of tax is paid and investigate cases of fraud.

Average salary (a year)

£30,000 Starter

to

£57,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Tax inspector

You can get into this job through:

  • applying directly

Direct Application

You'll need to apply for a place on HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Tax Specialist Programme and have one of the following:

  • a degree in any subject, minimum second class
  • an equivalent award like a professional accountancy qualification

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in taxation from Civil Service Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • examine business accounts
  • visit businesses to interview board directors, lawyers and accountants
  • investigate suspected fraud
  • offer specialist advice about tax
  • negotiate settlements
  • represent HMRC at appeals tribunals
  • consider and apply tax law to cases
  • lead a team of caseworkers and administrative staff
  • manage relationships between HMRC and customers

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could move through HMRC's promotion structure to more senior or specialist posts.

You could go into the private sector as a tax adviser, or become a self-employed tax consultant.

Current opportunities

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Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a Tax inspector right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

UK Taxation for Small Businesses

  • Provider: RICHMOND AND HILLCROFT ADULT AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 May 2025
  • Location: Not known

L4 Professional Accounting Taxation Technician Standards Apprenticeship

  • Provider: FURNESS COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: BARROW-IN-FURNESS
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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