VAT and indirect tax is one of the most undersupplied specialisms in the UK tax market. Post-Brexit customs complexity, the growth of e-commerce, and global indirect tax reform have created a significant — and widening — gap between demand and supply. For professionals working in this space, the opportunities are substantial.
The Supply-Demand Imbalance
Our data shows that VAT & Indirect Tax roles take an average of 67 days to fill — compared to 42 days for corporate tax and 35 days for private client. At the Senior Manager and Director level, the gap is even more pronounced: some roles remain open for 3-4 months.
The root cause is structural. Indirect tax has historically been a smaller discipline than corporate tax, with fewer trainees entering the pipeline. But the workload has expanded dramatically — particularly for businesses trading cross-border post-Brexit.
Where the Demand Is Concentrated
The strongest demand is in three areas:
1. Global indirect tax compliance — businesses operating across multiple VAT jurisdictions need specialists who understand the EU VAT framework, UK domestic VAT, and emerging regimes in Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
2. Customs & trade — Brexit has created an entirely new advisory and compliance workload. Firms with customs practices are growing rapidly.
3. Technology-enabled compliance — as businesses adopt tax technology for real-time reporting (e.g., Italy's SDI, Spain's SII), they need professionals who bridge the gap between indirect tax knowledge and systems implementation.
Salary Premium
The skills shortage is reflected in salaries. VAT & indirect tax specialists at the Manager level and above command a 10-15% premium over corporate tax equivalents at the same level. At Director level, the premium can be even greater — particularly for candidates with cross-border experience.
A VAT Senior Manager in London can expect £80,000–£100,000, compared to £75,000–£95,000 for a corporate tax counterpart. In-house indirect tax roles are even more competitive, as the supply pool is smaller.
How to Capitalise
If you're already working in VAT or indirect tax, you're in a strong position. Build your cross-border experience, invest in understanding tax technology, and keep your options open — the market is working in your favour.
If you're in corporate tax and considering a pivot, indirect tax can offer faster progression and higher salaries. Many firms are willing to train strong candidates who show an aptitude for indirect tax — especially if you bring commercial or international experience.