Policy Adviser – Income Tax

HM TREASURY; Darlington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking motivated individuals to join their Personal Tax team. This role offers the chance to influence key policies affecting the UK population. You will engage in policy development, working closely with various government departments to address income tax and social security issues. The organization values diversity and offers flexible working patterns, generous leave, and a supportive environment. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess strong problem-solving and communication skills, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful public service initiatives.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Flexible working patterns

Generous parental leave

Civil Service Pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Rental Deposit Advance Scheme

Active staff networks

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex ideas clearly in writing and in person.

Responsibilities

• Draft advice on tax treatment for compensation payments.
• Develop policy options for reform based on ministerial priorities.
• Collaborate with HMRC and build relationships across teams.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Policy analysis

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Contract type: Permanent

Working Pattern: This post is available on a Full Time and Part time basis (Flexible working hours can be accommodated)

Location: Darlington (Feethams House)

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, HM Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK!

About the Team

The Personal Tax team covers a very broad range of exciting policies that are important across the population. The size and influence of these policies means that they are always of interest to ministers. We are responsible for income tax, National Insurance contributions (NICs), the apprenticeship levy, inheritance tax and other aspects of the personal tax system, including longer-term strategy and linking up with other areas of tax and welfare.

We play an active role in making sure our group has an inclusive, positive working environment and are committed to ensuring a good work-life balance and currently have people with a variety of working patterns, including part-time roles.

About the Role

Great policy making is about understanding what needs to change, what problems need to be solved and supporting Ministers to arrive at the best solution to deliver the change. Policy also means working out how we are going to make the changes or solve the problems, and then delivering on those plans.

Key accountabilities

1. Lead on drafting advice to HM Treasury ministers and senior civil servants on key issues, including on compensation payment tax treatment (e.g. Infected Blood compensation schemes, Post Office Horizon compensation schemes) and social security payments. This involves working across HM Treasury tax teams, HMRC and multiple government departments to develop the policy rationale for how payments should be taxed and legislating for the tax treatment. Lead policy thinking on structural income tax allowances.
2. Develop policy options for reform depending on ministerial priorities. Coordinate across the team on family taxation issues.
3. Drive forward creative policy development in the trading income space, including addressing long-term challenges. This will include working closely with HMRC and HM Treasury tax teams on arrange of issues. For example, co-leading a HMRC/HMT working group on the tax treatment of Ecosystem Service Markets.
4. Work in close collaboration with HMRC; building relationships in multiple teams and at various grades. Establish relationships with internal and external partners to understand their views on the current income tax system and potential reforms.
5. Take part in corporate objectives seeking to make Personal Tax and HM Treasury a great place to work.

About you

Our ideal candidate will need to demonstrate a range of skills, including strong problem-solving skills, the ability to clearly explain your thinking both in writing and in person, and the drive to overcome challenges and see your ideas through into action and delivery.

However, you don’t need to be a policy professional or have any specific qualifications to apply to work with us. We are looking for people who have the right set of skills for the role, who demonstrate the values of our organisation, and who are motivated to come and work with us on a range of issues that are at the heart of how we spend money and deliver public services.

About us

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing you to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, compressed hours).
• Generous parental leave and adoption leave packages.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
• A Rental Deposit Advance Scheme to help met the total costs of deposits for privately rented homes.
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link. If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at [e-mail]