Join the HMRC graduate programme (Tax Professional)
Find out about HMRC's graduate recruitment programme, the selection process, and how to apply for the 2024 programme.
The HMRC Tax Specialist Programme 2024 closed for applications on 10 January 2024.
Welcome to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ā Where your career soars!
Weāre absolutely thrilled that youāre considering HMRC as your next career destination. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey with us!
Our purpose
HMRC is one of the UKās largest organisations, with around 66,000 employees, collecting over Ā£605 billion in tax revenue.
“”³ŁĢżHMRCĀ we are committed to helping our customers get their tax right. By making it easy for people to get tax right, hard for them to get it wrong and robustly tackling those who cheat the system, we run a fair and effective tax system, collecting the money for the UKās 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. Weāre 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
HMRCĀ is going through an exciting time as we undertake a major transformation toĀ modernise our organisation and deliver even better services to our customers. Weāre 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 ā thatās you!
A world of opportunities
At HMRC, we offer not just a job, but a rewarding career filled with challenges and opportunities. Weāre 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 2023 TARGET Jobs awards, we were shortlisted for the most popular graduate recruiter in the banking, insurance, and financial services sector. HMRC ranks within the top 50 UKās top 300 graduate employers.

Join us for a specialist career in tax
Whatās in store for you
Now, letās talk about your role. As part of HMRCās Tax Specialist Programme, youāll join a group of highly skilled tax professionals who tackle the most challenging aspects of tax work. Along the way, youāll gain valuable experience, learning how to resolve tax disputes, lead teams, interact with senior business figures, and tackle complex tax issues. Youāll play a vital role in our mission to ensure tax compliance and create a fair tax system.
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.
The programme can be completed on part time hours and the minimum number of hours recommended would be 30 hours per week. If you would like more information on this or have other general enquiries,Ģżplease contactĀ tsprecruitmentteam@hmrc.gov.uk.
The ideal candidate
Weāre 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.
Our commitment
At HMRC, we invest in your growth and development. Youāll have access to a wide range of learning sessions, webinars, and support from your colleagues. Weāre all about fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, offering opportunities to people regardless of their background.
Investing in you
HMRCĀ prides itself on our learning and development opportunities and the support we give. Weāre committed to investing in you and your development throughout your time atĀ HMRC. Youāll have access to regular learning sessions and webinars from a range of cross-sector providers and weāll make sure you have the tools and skills you need to do a brilliant job. On top of this, your colleagues will be there for you, offering mentoring, advice and practical help.
Diversity, inclusion and equality. We want everyone to feel valued, supported and comfortable being their true self at work. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer, supporting social mobility by giving opportunities to people no matter their background. Thatās why we have several staff diversity networks which cover race, disability, LGBTQ, gender and carers. Youāll be able to take part in any of these networks when you join us and getting involved is easy. Youāll be joining a friendly and helpful community. Weāll give you the support you need to grow in confidence, and help you enjoy your time inside and outside work, ensuring you have a good work-life balance. We believe we are a great place to work. For more information on our diversity networks see page seven of the Your Little Extras and Big Benefits booklet.
Eligibility
To join this adventure, you must have a 2:2 degree or equivalent (level 6) or expect to achieve one by September 2024. If youāre already a civil servant but donāt meet the academic requirements, you can apply if you were recruited through fair and open competition and have passed your probation period before September 2024
Nationality and immigration
You are eligible to apply for theĀ TSPĀ 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 theĀ 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)
- °ł±š±ō±š±¹²¹²Ō³ŁĢżEU,ĢżEEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- °ł±š±ō±š±¹²¹²Ō³ŁĢżEU,ĢżEEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the °ł±š±ō±š±¹²¹²Ō³ŁĢżEU,ĢżEEA, 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 ŅĮČĖÖ±²„Ā Visas and ImmigrationĢż±č²¹²µ±š.
Rehabilitation of offenders
HMRCĀ has an exemption under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions order 1975).
Applicants who are successful in reaching the provisional offer stage of the recruitment process will be asked to declare details of any criminal convictions, including spent convictions and cautions, to allow basic security checks to be completed.
Declaring a criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being successful in your application for this particular programme, but it may exclude you from applying for other posts within the department.
Ready to apply?
All civil servants are appointed on merit through fair and open competition in line with the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Principals. The selection process will consider your attitude, capability, and talent. If appointed you will be and are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality.
The application has 3 stages:
Stage 1: application and on-line tests
Applications must be made through the CS Jobs site. We do not accept CVās.
Applications for the programme close at 23.55 on 10 January 2024. The deadline for completing all 3 online tests was 11.30am on 12 January 2024.If you meet the minimum standard for the verbal reasoning test, you will be invited to take the Civil Service numerical test.
If you meet the minimum standard for the numerical test, you will be invited to take the Civil Service judgement test.
If you meet the minimum standard for the judgement test, your application will be put on hold for further consideration.
If you meet the minimum standard for each test your application will be put on hold for further consideration. Meeting the minimum standard is no guarantee of an invitation to continue the selection process. After the test deadline, we will review all scores from the verbal, numerical and judgement tests.
We will consider the impact on protected groups, and the number of places available at the next stage. We reserve the right to increase the scores for all tests to manage the applications through to Stage 2. You will be informed if you have passed or failed the raised standard.
Fourteen individual merit lists will be formed at this stage and progression to Stage 2 will be based on pass rates for each Regional Centre Location. These scores may vary depending on each Regional Centre location.
Stage 2: Civil Service Online Test
The test will open on 22nd January 2024 and will close at 11.30am on 29th January 2024. Further information to be provide to those who are successful at stage 1.If you meet the minimum standard for the Civil Service Online Test your application will be put on hold for further consideration. Meeting the minimum standard is no guarantee of an invitation to continue the selection process.
Fourteen individual merit lists will be reformed at this stage and progression to Stage 3 will be based on the pass rates for the Regional Centre Location youāve applied for and these scores may vary depending on location. Every applicant will need to meet a minimum standard but not all will be successful in progressing to Stage 3.
Stage 3: 26th February 2024 - 22nd March 2024
The assessment centre will be held through a virtual platform and full details will be provided with your invitation. If successful, you will join the TSP24 in September 2024.
Further help in applying
Candidates requiring assistance
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate. Please see ourĀ Disability Matters: How we can support you during our selection process bookletĀ for more details.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- email the Government Recruitment Service as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- complete the āAssistance requiredā section in the āAdditional requirementsā page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process ā for example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youāre hearing impaired, you may need a Language Service Professional
Disability Confident Scheme
HMRCĀ operates a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). Candidates who tick theĀ DCSĀ box will be invited to take online test if they meet the minimum standard at stage 1.
Please also remember to tick theĀ DCSĀ and/or Help Required boxes on your application form if you are applying under theĀ DCSĀ and/or seeking additional support.
Personal email address
We will email you throughout the recruitment process with updates and outcomes. We strongly recommend that you use your own personal email address as we will send emails with private information about your results.
Other Tax Professional posts inĀ HMRC
Where candidates perform well in the application process, but we are unable to offer you a place on theĀ TSP, we may offer opportunities for Higher Officer and/or Officer roles. If this is the case, you will be given more detail about potential roles and asked to register your interest towards the beginning of June 2024.
Repeat applications
You cannot re-apply for the same yearās intake if you fail at any stage of the application process. Any second application will be flagged as a duplicate and removed from the system.
You can however apply again for theĀ TSPĀ programme the following year.
Updates to this page
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Updated with information about how to apply for the 2024 programme.
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Updated the page to add the date that applications open for the 2024 programme.
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Updated start date for applicants and corrected interview dates.
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Amended application closing time.
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Updated for the 2022 programme.
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Updated with information about how to apply for the 2022 programme.
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Page updated for opening of applications for the 2021 programme.
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Added link to application page for the internship scheme.
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Republished on day that 2020 scheme opens for applications and includes updates to the process.
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Updated to reflect the application dates and new information for the 2019 graduate programme.
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Applications have now closed.
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Updated GIS information.
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Updated with this year's key dates and information.
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Amended to reflect that the current application process has now closed.
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Updated to reflect the application dates and new information for the 2017 programme.
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Added links to the Tax Specialist Programme (Graduate) 2016 and Internship Tax Specialist Programme 2016 on Civil Service Jobs.
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Amended application dates and added locations for the 2016 programme
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Amended application dates for the 2016 programme
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Updated to include details for the 2016 programme
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Added links to the How to Apply section
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Updated information on page for September 2014.
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Updates to reflect the Tax Specialist Programme (TSP), previously called TPDP, which forms part of the campaign to promote the 2015 Campaign.
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Added the line "The scheme will reopen for applications in September 2014".
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Added locations.
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Updated to include the closing date for applications of 29 November 2013
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Updated to include further information on the 2013/14 Programme
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Updated to include details for the 2014 programme
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First published.