HMRC’s annual stakeholder conference in London kicked off on Thursday, bringing several hundred tax professionals, software providers and senior HMRC officials together to discuss the department’s transformation agenda.

From closing the small business tax gap to turning AI pilots into real-world tools, HMRC used its annual conference to showcase its transformation agenda.

Under the theme ‘trust in transformation’ sessions throughout the day focused on digital tax administration, customer service, agent support, economic growth and the role of AI in improving compliance and taxpayer experience.

After a day of taxing talks and money minded meetings, JP Marks, chief executive of HMRC thanked attendees for their ‘leadership, engagement and support’ urging them to stick around.

delegates were then treated to a HMRC-themed selection of drinks and canapés.

First out were the drinks, and fortunately for compliance teams around the country, the refreshments were entirely alcohol-free. In a nod to HMRC's compliance mission, the mocktails appeared to contain nothing illicit.

Served over ice, the ‘berry taxing refresher’ proved less burdensome than its name suggested, combining a sweet, sparkling base with a subtle sharpness from several mixed berries dashed into the glass.

Guests also enjoyed the ‘elderflower exemption’, no paperwork attached, and true to its name it delivered a welcome relief, combining floral aromas with delicate notes of pear and white grape.

Despite its name, the ‘aspara-gross income tart’ was anything but gross. Completing the tax-themed spread, the dish paired a vivid green pea and asparagus filling with a charcoal-coloured pastry case, topped with delicate blue edible flowers.

Behind the light-hearted menu and tax-themed puns, HMRC used the conference to reinforce its wider transformation agenda, with Making Tax Digital (MTD) remaining a key focus.

Speaking to Business & Accountancy Daily, Craig Ogilvie, head of MTD said the department was still considering how it would bring the next cohort of taxpayers into MTD, insisting HMRC remained ‘open-minded’ as it prepares for the regime's expansion.

Ogilvie also used the event to offer a heartfelt thank you to accountants and software providers, praising their hard work, commitment and continued support in helping HMRC deliver the first phase of MTD.

He said the programme's launch would not have been possible without the industry's willingness to engage with the reforms and support clients through the transition.

‘Not my job to say how an accountant does their job’, says HMRC MTD chief | 11 Sep 2026