In-house tax roles have grown 22% year-on-year on AllTaxJobs — making it the single fastest-growing segment of the UK tax job market. But what's driving this surge, and what does it mean for tax professionals considering a move from practice?
Why Are Businesses Building Tax Teams?
Three factors are converging. First, the increasing complexity of the UK and international tax landscape (Pillar Two, MTD, post-Brexit customs) means businesses need permanent, embedded tax expertise — not just an annual audit engagement.
Second, PE-backed businesses are under pressure to optimise tax structures and demonstrate robust tax governance to investors. This requires dedicated in-house capability.
Third, the cost equation has shifted. For a large corporate, employing a Head of Tax and a small team is often more cost-effective — and more responsive — than relying entirely on Big 4 advisory fees.
What In-House Roles Look Like
The in-house tax function in 2025 is far more diverse than many practice professionals realise. Roles range from pure compliance (managing the corporate tax return for a group) to highly strategic (advising the CFO on M&A structuring, international expansion, and ESG-related tax incentives).
Typical titles include Tax Manager, Head of Tax, Group Tax Director, and VP Tax (in US-headquartered businesses with UK operations). The common thread: commercial awareness is just as important as technical knowledge.
Salary & Benefits
In-house tax salaries have risen sharply and are now broadly comparable to practice equivalents — in some cases, they exceed them. A Tax Manager at a FTSE 250 company can expect £70,000–£90,000 plus bonus, company car or car allowance, pension, and private healthcare.
Perhaps more importantly, in-house roles typically offer better work-life balance: predictable hours, no chargeable time targets, and greater holiday entitlements. For many candidates — particularly those at the Senior Manager / Director level — this is the decisive factor.
Is In-House Right for You?
In-house is an excellent move if you value breadth over depth, enjoy commercial decision-making, and want a better balance. It's less suitable if you thrive on variety (in-house means one client — your employer) or if you're driven by the partnership track in practice.
The best time to make the move is typically at the Manager or Senior Manager level — experienced enough to add immediate value, but early enough to build a long in-house career.