Crises don’t send calendar invites. From regulatory shocks and economic downturns to cyber incidents and corporate restructures, the unexpected is always around the corner. In this environment, the...
The future of in-house tax is creative, connected, and tech-powered. But it’s also complex, fast-changing, and demanding. Continuous learning isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the foundation...
Tight deadlines. Complex reporting. Constant change. For in-house tax teams, pressure is part of the job. But as expectations grow and resources stay tight, the risk of burnout becomes harder to ignore...
Knowledge-sharing and cross-functional alignment are now mission-critical for in-house tax teams. Whether it's navigating regulatory changes, embedding new technology, or supporting cross-functional...
Tax functions are undergoing a quiet revolution. Once back-office compliance engines, they’re evolving into commercial operators, powered by data, technology, and strong internal operations. Operational...
Tax functions are undergoing a quiet revolution. Once back-office compliance engines, they’re evolving into commercial operators, powered by data, technology, and strong internal operations.
Operational efficiency is now a strategic priority. Our In-house Tax Technology Report 2025 shows how tech-savvy tax teams are streamlining workflows, enhancing risk management, and responding to business needs at speed.
This shift isn’t unique to tax. Across the UK, professional services firms are also transforming how they operate. Insights from recent UK-based studies show that tax is part of a broader trend where operational transformation, digital maturity, and cross-functional collaboration are defining what success looks like.
Tax teams are stepping beyond compliance to become strategic enablers.
Stephen Payne, Head of Tax at LVMH UK and Belmond, explains:
“This shift in mindset requires automation of workflows. It gives tax teams the time to focus on work that adds greater value to their organisations.”
That value increasingly includes strategic advice, data insights, and commercial planning, not just compliance. And this trend tracks with findings from Deltek’s UK Professional Services Operational Efficiency Report, which revealed that 53% of UK firms lacked a clear strategy for stable growth in 2023, yet those focusing on operational improvement were more resilient.
With the advancement of AI, more than half (51%) of in-house tax practitioners anticipate tech skills growing in importance.
Peter Dobson, Group Head of Tax at Amey, says:
“A successful tax function needs to understand architecture and operations. The architecture gets the fundamentals right so operations can be efficiently and effectively delivered.”
The wider market agrees. According to Unit4’s Professional Services Benchmark 2023, most UK PSOs expect revenue growth, yet legacy tech and lack of integration are limiting innovation. Technology isn’t just helpful, it’s critical to operational efficiency.
A large proportion (41%) of tax professionals in our survey expect tax tech budgets to rise. And with good reason. As one senior tax adviser at a major bank put it:
“We assess AI tools based on time saved on routine tasks and reduced manual errors. For tax teams, the key metrics are accuracy, efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction.”
Technology transformation stalls without cross-functional collaboration.
Stephen Payne notes:
“Tax is no longer siloed – our team is working closer with other departments and operations than ever before to address complex issues that impact the wider business.”
However, in our survey, 57% of respondents said embedding new technology is the slowest-moving area for in-house tax teams, and 32% described communication with other departments as slow or very slow.
This reflects a challenge faced across professional services.
Strong tax leadership is about more than knowing the rules. It’s about shaping outcomes.
Communication and attention to detail topped our survey as the most valued leadership traits (53% each), followed by commercial awareness (32%).
Jonathan Scriven of LexisNexis explains:
“The most impactful tax professionals are finding creative ways to solve problems, structure solutions, and support fast-moving commercial decisions. That’s what earns trust from stakeholders, secures a seat at the table, and shows the real strategic value the tax team can deliver.”
And UK firms are seeking those same qualities. Deltek’s report found a growing need for leaders who combine business acumen with operational knowledge and can guide teams through fast-paced change.
Almost two-thirds (61%) of tax professionals cite increased cross-border complexity as the biggest shift impacting the practice of tax.
This is followed by tech integration and cybersecurity (57%) and the evolving regulatory environment (51%).
Jonathan Scriven says:
“Today’s tax teams need to be agile and commercially focused, with the skills to navigate cross-border complexity, digital systems, and fast-changing regulations. These demands often converge, requiring a broad, strategic mindset to deliver real value to the business.”
This mirrors Unit4’s findings, where economic uncertainty, ageing tech, and disconnected systems were key barriers to growth.
One in-house tax practitioner told us:
“Hopefully AI will be able to do some of the work we do and give us more time to focus on strategy and advice.”
Innovation starts with letting go of legacy processes and mindsets.
Our report shows how leading tax teams are:
Scriven explains:
“As AI becomes embedded into tax workflows, in-house tax professionals will bring increasing value through strategic thinking, collaboration, and commercial insight.”
“With automation handling routine tasks, their focus will shift to interpreting complex and nuanced issues, advising the business on risk and opportunity, and shaping tax strategies that support broader commercial goals.”
“Human judgment, business acumen, and the ability to influence across functions will define success in the AI-enabled tax team.”
Dobson adds:
“IT must be fit for purpose. We need to avoid automating unrequired tasks and instead focus on applying tax law in a disciplined, efficient way.”
Tax ops is emerging as the operational core of modern in-house tax.
To thrive, teams must:
As one tax expert summed it up:
“Tax professionals will need to adapt quickly. The profession is changing and we need to be comfortable working with tech, understanding its outputs, and challenging them where necessary.”
Dobson reinforces:
“Our tax teams are expected to enhance new IT architectural and operational skills, and also remain close to the business and be technically strong to maximise the value we add.”
In-house tax isn’t just keeping up. It’s stepping forward.
By building operational strength, embracing technology, and leading cross-functional change, tax teams are redefining their role inside the business.
This is the rise of the creative, connected, tech-powered tax team.