The Worshipful Company’s charitable work

The Worshipful Company’s charitable work
22 June 2026

A key part of a livery company’s activities in the modern era is charitable giving. The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers has two charities: the Tax Advisers’ Benevolent Fund and the Tax Advisers’ Charitable Trust.

The Benevolent Fund was set up in 1995 by several CIOT presidents and council members, who were conscious that the CIOT’s constitution does not allow it to offer financial support to members and their families in need. The Fund thus has two purposes: supporting tax advisers in need; and supporting those seeking to take the exams of the CIOT and the ATT.

Both the institute and the association support the educational work with grants. When combined with the Fund’s investment income and donations from Company members, these allowed the fund to support 17 people in the UK and overseas studying for tax qualifications in 2025-26.

Mentoring is offered to CIOT students who are supported by the Benevolent Fund, as they may not have the support mechanisms available. The Benevolent Fund also supports activities seeking to widen access to the tax profession, as well as the CIOT’s Returners 2 Work initiative.

The Charitable Trust

The Charitable Trust makes grants to a wide range of charitable activities associated with tax, or relevant to London.

The largest grant goes to TaxAid, supporting those who need help with their tax affairs but cannot afford professional advice. The Livery Food initiative is an important recipient, providing food to those in need in London. The Hackney Carriage Drivers’ annual trip to Disneyland Paris for disabled children and their carers is a longstanding beneficiary, as is the London Air Ambulance. The Charitable Trust also supports a wide range of cadet organisations and the Greater London Scouts, focusing on giving young people skills and purpose.

The Charitable Trust also supports longstanding City charities, including: the Lord Mayor’s Fund, which works with liveries, charities and schools to break down barriers, unlock potential and create career opportunities for Londoners who need it most; the Sheriffs and Recorders Fund, which supports prisoners and their families following release; and the Mansion House scholarship scheme.

Full details of the charities’ activities can be found in the reports at www.taxadvisers.org.uk/charities.

If you would like to make a donation to either charity, details are on the Company’s website at www.taxadvisers.org.uk/making-a-donation. Please remember gift aid, too, as tax advisers!

Details on how to apply for assistance either with exam funding or in times of hardship are at www.tax.org.uk/the-tax-advisers-benevolent-fund-tabf and www.att.org.uk/tax-advisers-benevolent-fund-tabf.