The Most In-Demand Tax Roles in 2026 (and What They Pay)

Tax teams are being pulled in two directions at once in 2026: more compliance and reporting pressure on one side, and more strategic advisory work on the other. The result? A strong hiring market for tax professionals who can combine technical depth with commercial thinking, and, increasingly, confidence with tax tech and data.

Below are the tax roles employers are hiring hardest for right now, plus typical UK salary ranges (with London usually at the top end).

What’s Driving Demand in Tax in 2026?

• Complexity is still rising - Reporting, governance, and cross-border rules continue to expand. Employers are prioritising tax hires who reduce risk and keep them audit-ready.

• Advisory is moving in-house - Tax teams are increasingly expected to advise the business, not just “do the numbers.” Strong communication is now a core tax skill.

• Tax + tech is a salary booster - Professionals who can bridge tax and systems are in short supply, and they tend to secure higher pay and faster progression.

In-Demand Tax Roles in 2026 & Typical Salary Ranges

Below are some of the standout roles, along with observed market rates (UK, 2026), and what’s driving demand

Corporate Tax Manager / Senior Manager

Corporate tax remains the engine room of most tax functions. With ongoing reforms, rising scrutiny, and tighter governance, businesses want professionals who can do more than file returns, they need people who can advise stakeholders, manage risk, and improve processes.

Typical UK salary

• Manager: £60,000–£90,000

• Senior Manager: £90,000–£120,000+

• Head of Corporate Tax / Director: £110,000–£150,000+

Transfer Pricing Specialist (Associate → Director)

Transfer pricing continues to be one of the most talent-short areas in tax. Multinationals need help with documentation, policy design, audits/controversy, and aligning global models with evolving rules.

Typical UK salary

• Senior Associate: £45,000–£70,000

• Manager: £70,000–£95,000

• Senior Manager / Director: £95,000–£140,000+

Indirect Tax (VAT) Manager / Senior Manager

VAT/indirect tax is a constant for businesses trading across borders, selling online, or managing complex supply chains. Demand is especially strong for professionals who can handle technical advisory + real-world operations, not just compliance.

Typical UK salary

• VAT/Indirect Tax Manager: £60,000–£90,000

• Senior Manager / Director: £90,000–£130,000+

Employment Tax & Payroll / Human Capital Tax

With hybrid work, benefits complexity, and increasing attention on employer compliance, employment tax is staying busy. Employers are hiring for specialists who can manage payroll tax risk, advise HR, and support policy and controls.

Typical UK salary

• Manager: £55,000–£95,000

• Director / Head of Employment Tax: £100,000–£160,000+

Global Mobility / Expatriate Tax

International assignments are back in many sectors, but now they’re more complex (short-term moves, remote working, multi-country tax exposure). That’s driving demand for mobility specialists who can handle cross-border compliance + policy + advisory.

Typical UK salary

• Manager: £60,000–£90,000

• Senior Manager / Director: £90,000–£130,000+

Tax Technology / Tax Transformation (Tax Tech, Data, Automation)

This is one of the fastest-growing areas. Businesses want to modernise tax functions, improving controls, automating reporting, and making data audit-ready. That means strong demand for people who understand tax + systems + data.

Typical UK salary

• Senior Analyst / Consultant: £50,000–£80,000

• Manager: £80,000–£110,000

• Senior Manager / Head of Tax Transformation: £110,000–£160,000+

M&A Tax / Transaction Tax / Restructuring Tax

Deal activity comes in cycles, but the underlying need is consistent: organisations want tax specialists who can support acquisitions, disposals, due diligence, structuring, and post-deal integration.

Typical UK salary

• Senior Manager: £95,000–£140,000+

• Director / Head of Transaction Tax: £130,000–£200,000+

• Partner (practice): Highly variable, often £200,000+ total comp

In 2026, the most in-demand tax professionals are those who combine technical expertise, commercial judgement, and the ability to improve how tax gets done (process, controls, systems, and stakeholder communication). If you’re hiring, these are the roles where speed, clarity on salary, and a strong candidate experience make the biggest difference.

Hiring for tax roles in 2026? We can share current salary benchmarks, candidate availability, and time-to-hire expectations across Corporate Tax, VAT, Transfer Pricing, Global Mobility, Employment Tax, and Tax Tech. Get in touch.