CEO's welcome: Our summer highlights

CIOT’s Cambridge conference runs from 18 to 21 September and is now open for bookings at www.tax.org.uk/arc2026. ATT’s Annual Conferences offer four events: three face-to-face and one online. The programme begins in Stirling on 3 June, followed by Liverpool on 11 June and London on 17 June, with the online conference taking place on 1 July. You can find out more and register at tinyurl.com/394wvet7.

Making Tax Digital continues to be an area where members and their clients seek additional guidance and support. The ATT has been providing monthly Zoom drop-in discussion groups, giving members the opportunity to share experiences and ask questions. These sessions were due to end in May, but due to demand they have been extended until August. You can find further information and sign up at tinyurl.com/urnvu8d5. The CIOT’s LITRG team also provides excellent resources through its dedicated MTD information pages at tinyurl.com/yvjfd76b.

With public understanding of the UK tax system remaining low, there has never been a better time to get involved in outreach work. The ATT’s ‘Volunteer in schools’ toolkit provides useful resources (tinyurl.com/5xxsazdm), with merchandise also available for events. Whether it is explaining how the tax system works and its role in society, or helping young people to explore career options, we would love you to get involved. If this is something that interests you, please contact ATT Schools Education and Careers lead Steven Pinhey at [email protected].

We are also delighted to celebrate the achievements of our students and look forward to welcoming many of them into the ATT and CIOT as full members. The ATT admissions ceremony takes place on 25 June, while the CIOT’s next ceremony is in Spring 2027. These events are always a highlight and an opportunity to welcome new members into both ATT and CIOT.

The CIOT’s AGM takes place in person and online on 4 June at RSA House, London. This precedes the CTA Address, which this year will be delivered by David Gauke, former Treasury Minister and Lord Chancellor, now Public Policy Senior Advisor at Macfarlanes. His topic is ‘Why tax simplification isn’t that simple’, and there will be a write-up afterwards.

The ATT AGM takes place on 9 July at 2pm, both in person at Monck Street and online. AGMs are an important part of the governance of our charities, giving members the opportunity to review performance, help shape future direction and meet incoming officers.

Alongside the AGMs, we would also encourage you to read our Annual Reports, which highlight the fantastic work carried out by both organisations during 2025. They can be found at www.att.org.uk/annual-reports and www.tax.org.uk/annual-reports.

For members in Scotland, the ATT and CIOT have jointly published five key tax priorities for the new Scottish parliament tax. While devolved tax powers have expanded significantly over the past decade, further changes will require the system to continue evolving to ensure it remains effective, transparent and aligned with policy objectives. Full details can be found at tinyurl.com/yc7ayyhp.

Finally, huge congratulations go to the TaxAid team on winning the Tolley’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Taxation in 2025-26 by a Not-for-profit Organisation. Special congratulations also go to Emma Rawson, ATT Director of Public Policy, who was joint winner of the Tolley’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Taxation in 2025-26 by an Individual, for her fantastic work on Making Tax Digital. Well done, Emma!