Meet the S3TAX Team: Finalists for the Tolley’s Tax Awards Best New Tax Practice!

The countdown begins until the prestigious Tolley’s Tax Awards ceremony later this week, and the excitement is building at S3TAX! We’re incredibly honoured to be shortlisted for the Best New Tax Practice category, and we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to the passionate team behind our success.

Born from a Vision: Supporting the Third Sector

S3TAX was established in 2022 with a clear mission: to provide exceptional tax support specifically tailored to housing associations, charities, and other third-sector organisations. We recognised these essential organisations often faced difficulties accessing tax specialists who understood their unique needs and challenges.

Our People: Expertise Meets Passion

Our dedicated team is the driving force behind S3TAX.

Director Colin Scates’ experience spans 12 years at HMRC, and 12 years in local government as an in-house VAT officer for several local authorities. Following that, he moved into advisory roles within two mid-tier firms, primarily providing advice and support to local government, housing, education, and charity sectors. The career experience Colin has received to date has been invaluable. It means he fully understands the constraints faced by housing, the third and public sectors, ensuring workable and pragmatic solutions to VAT issues. He is an excellent communicator and able to break down the barriers to understanding the importance and relevance of VAT for non-VAT specialists and the impact on their organisation.

Ian Brown

Director, Ian Brown, joined S3TAX in 2023 with nearly 15 years of experience and his expertise has seen him present at events and conferences for the Scottish Government and the National Housing Federation. His experience of dealing with HMRC, sector bodies and a range of clients means he fully understands the VAT complexities for the housing, third and public sectors and can provide support and solutions that all parties can engage with and understand.

Consultant, Karen Regan, has significant experience in VAT advisory roles, starting her career in the ‘big 4’ before a move into local government and in-house tax roles for over 30 years. Karen has been a member of the CIPFA VAT Committee, and the CIPFA representative at HMRC’s Land and Property Liaison Group for over 10 years. Following her move to S3TAX, Karen now represents the Charity Tax Group at HMRC’s Land and Property Liaison Group ensuring that the views and concerns of the not-for-profit sector are heard by HMRC decision-makers.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Deep Sector Expertise: We understand the intricate tax regulations, reliefs, and exemptions that apply specifically to housing and third-sector organisations.
  • Innovative Service Offerings: Our flagship subscription programme goes beyond tax support. It offers year-round support, including annual reviews, bespoke training, discounted consultancy, and an all-taxes helpline. We provide you with knowledge and actionable solutions.
  • Accessible: Our geographically diverse team allows us to serve clients nationwide seamlessly. We’re also committed to accessibility, with a user-friendly website designed for everyone.

More Than Just Tax

At S3TAX, we believe tax is a tool for positive change. By minimising your tax burden, we help the third sector free up resources to focus on their core mission.

We’re incredibly grateful for the recognition and support we’ve received. Being nominated for the Tolley’s Tax Awards’ Best New Tax Practice category is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.

Stay tuned!

We’ll be sharing updates on the Tolley’s Tax Awards ceremony this week. Wish us luck!