Tax technology is moving quickly and the number of solutions out there is growing exponentially. But for many accountancy firms the challenge is not just keeping up with new tools. It is working out which changes really matter, which technologies are practical and how to adopt them in a way that supports clients without creating more complexity.
That is exactly why our upcoming Tax Technology Conference on 23 June 2026 will focus on the issues firms are dealing with right now.
Here are five of the biggest technology challenges currently shaping the tax sector.
Table of contents
1. Using AI responsibly and effectively
AI is now firmly part of the conversation in tax, but most firms are still working out where it can genuinely add value and where caution is needed. The publication of new guidance on the ethical use of AI for tax work under has made that conversation even more relevant, particularly around professional judgement, confidentiality and transparency with clients.
At the conference, Jane Mellor from the Chartered Institute of Taxation will explore the ethical issues around AI in tax and what firms need to be thinking about in practice.
2. Preparing for Making Tax Digital in the real world
For many firms, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is no longer a future issue. It is a live operational challenge. HMRC says firms and taxpayers need compatible software to keep digital records, send quarterly updates and submit returns, with software choices continuing to evolve.
Whether it is bridging software for clients using Excel or an end-to-end solution, accountants need to embrace technology in order to deliver on MTD for Income Tax. The question for practices is not just whether software exists, but which options are suitable for different client types, workflows and budgets. That is where practical insight becomes invaluable.
3. Choosing the right software from a crowded market
The software market is expanding fast. Firms now have to choose between full bookkeeping platforms, bridging tools, specialist tax products and newer AI-enabled solutions. For smaller practices in particular, the challenge is cutting through marketing claims and identifying what will actually work for their client base.
This is one reason we are delighted to have Tom Herbert from AccountingWEB speaking about the MTD software landscape and what firms should be looking out for.
4. Building a firm culture that can adapt
Technology decisions are never just about software. They are also about people, processes and confidence. Even the best tools will fall short if firms do not have the right internal culture to adopt change well. Many firms will also have significant decisions to make as to whether to outsource or bring technology capability in-house.
That is why the people side of technology matters just as much as the systems themselves. Mark Parr from Buzzacott is joining us to look at how firms can balance technology, teams and outsourcing in a way that supports long-term agility.
5. Understanding what the next wave of tax technology looks like
Many firms feel they are only just getting to grips with current systems, while the next generation of tax technology is already arriving. Meanwhile, tax authorities like HMRC are increasingly embracing digitalisation and technology solutions themselves in the dealings with taxpayers and in identifying taxpayer errors and deliberate activity.
Nick Stobbs from Syntax brings our conference to a close looking at the technology mistakes firms can’t afford to ignore and what’s next in the field of tax technology.
Responding to change
Please join us to explore these issues and more on 23 June 2026.
Our half-day Tax Technology Conference is aimed at accountancy firms who want a clearer, more practical view of where tax technology is heading.
If your firm is thinking about AI, software choices, MTD or how to respond to change without being overwhelmed by it, we hope you will join us.