IA Tax Conference 2026: Realignment in Real-Time

As the geopolitical and economic gravity of investment shifts, we’re beginning to see the global tax landscape be reshaped in real-time, in new and unpredictable ways. The long‑standing dominance of American equities is beginning to be tested as managers seek counterweights in Europe and Asia, and this has accelerated competition for capital, influence, and strategic relevance.

At this year’s Investment Association Tax Conference - Realignment in Real-Time - we will look to explore how competing centres of power are redefining regulatory priorities, investment flows, and the future architecture of global tax policy. From US’s unpredictable exceptionalism to the EU’s increasing economic assertiveness, Asia’s geopolitical diversity and the Middle-East’s expanding owner-driven influence, the world is entering an era where alignment is no longer assumed—and realignment is happening in real time.

The Conference will be held on the 24 September in collaboration with Simmons & Simmons at Citypoint in London.

Join leading policymakers, tax specialists, and industry decision‑makers as we unpack the implications of this shifting order for investment management, multinational operations, and global tax strategy. This is your opportunity to understand the forces reshaping international competitiveness—and to position your organisation for the next phase of global economic realignment.

Subject to change

08:45 Registration Breakfast

Welcome and networking over light breakfast before the day begins.

09.30 Opening Remarks

An introduction to the day’s themes, setting the tone for the discussions ahead.

09:35 Host Welcome Address

A welcome address from our host.

09:45 Switzerland: Past Challenges and Future Direction

10:05 TAXUD & Europe's Independence Moment

This session will provide a senior policymaker’s perspective on the EU’s current Tax Policy priorities and future direction. The discussion will cover key initiatives such as FASTER, the DAC recast and the Tax Omnibus proposals and broader efforts to enhance competitiveness, reduce administrative burdens and strengthen the Single Market, while examining what these developments mean for the asset management industry.

10:25 Panel - Operational Taxes

This panel will discuss the key challenges currently facing firms, share practical experiences from across the industry, and consider what lies ahead for operational taxes in an increasingly complex global environment from withholding taxes to cross-border reporting obligations.

11:00 Speed Networking Session

Access 1:1 solutions for your companies challenges within Tech in the Tax industry.

11:15 Morning Networking Break

Refreshments and networking.

11:35 Rethinking Fund distributions

Taxation drives fund design, and unfortunately the UK has one of the most complicated tax systems in the world - one which, for the moment at least - taxes Income differently from Capital Gains. That distinction has for decades meant that UK authorised investment funds have to distribute all of their net income annually.

Meanwhile as the DC Pension market matures there is an increasing need for Investment Funds to cater for a range of Income needs for their investors as they now approach their retirement.

Hear how the Investment Association's Retirement Income Committee has been working with both the FCA and HMRC within existing COLL and Authorised Investment Funds Regulations to allow for UK funds to distribute capital in order to facilitate stable income. How Investment Funds are uniquely placed to navigate market instability to provide offer guaranteed retirement income and how managers can get comfortable that the FCA are comfortable with capital distributions potentially eating into investors capital base.

12:10 The Future of LTAFs

12:20 Fund Tokenisation in Practise

12:45 Securities Transfer Charge

1986 - The Big Bang. And with it came the introduction of Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. The UK's attempt to remake its arachaic Stamp Duty regime for the 20th century. Setting aside the removal of Schedule 19 for UK funds, these rules have been the bedrock of the UK's financial transaction tax for the better part of 40 years. But all of that is about to change with the introduction of the Government's new Securities Transfer Charge.

The Securities Transfer Charge is the UK's attempt to merge both the remnants of the old Stamp Duty regime with the newer SDRT system to form a single, coherent rulebook for the trading of financial securities.

Hear from our sector's residence authority on all things Stamp-related - Suzi Evans from Alpine Edge Consulting - as she speaks with Jez Schembri-Stothart, Head of Financial Services at HM Treasury, Policy Lead for the new STC. This session will look to cover the policy rationale for the new consolidated transaction tax, the lessons learned from the Stamp Taxes on Shares Modernisation consultation and the work of the Expert Group who have helped craft this project over the last number of years.

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Supplies Within Supply Chains - Guidelines for Compliance & Fund Management

HMRC Update: Financial Services VAT guidance

VAT continues to be a key area of focus for the asset management industry, with firms navigating evolving guidance, changing interpretations and increasing scrutiny of fund-related services. This panel will discuss the soon to be released Guidelines for Compliance on supplies of Fund Management and how HMRC will look to assess those supplies going forward. Hear from the author of this soon-to-be released document Daniel Taylor, Assistant Director for Financial Services VAT at HMRC.

14:30 VAT in Fund Management

After nearly two years of upheaval in the Fund Management VAT space we may be nearing a period of relative tranquillity.

HMRC are on the verge of publishing a new Guidance for Compliance documents on gov.uk in respect of supplies of Fund Management setting out their approach to contracting positions for Sub-Delegation, Fund Accounting, Custody and Middle Office. Meanwhile the near finalised version of HMRC's new Guidance on the Fund Management VAT exemption has been agreed with the Finance Liaison Group's Sub-Group on Item 9 & 10 and this will act as the foundation for HMRC's approach to the exemption going forward.

As part of this session hear from those who were involved in the work of the Sub-Group and how they worked with HMRC counterparts to set out the industry's understanding of the VAT exemption and how it can be applied to common commercial arrangements across the funds sector. Also hear from HMRC on how they approached the project and what their goals for revamping their Guidance were and when we can expect it to be released publicly on gov.uk.

15:00 Sponsor Session

15:20 Afternoon Networking Break

15:50 Keynote Address

16:10 What to Expect from the new Government

16:50 Closing Remarks

17:00 Networking drinks

Informal drinks and networking to close the day.

18:00 Event ends

Speakers to be announced shortly

Kindly hosted by:

Simmons & Simmons is an international law firm that acts as your business partner and works with you, not just for you. Client-focused, collaborative, agile and partner-led. A law firm that challenges, creates new possibilities and offers opinions not just options. This is how we consistently deliver smarter, more efficient ways to tackle our clients’ most complex challenges.

We operate across the UK, Continental Europe, Ireland, the Middle East and Asia. For us, the smartest business solutions come when we work together – internationally, with local knowledge, operating as one integrated team.

This conference is designed for senior professionals and specialists involved in tax, regulation, and investment strategy, including:

• Heads of Tax and senior tax professionals within asset and investment management firms
• Tax advisors, consultants, and legal professionals specialising in financial services
• CFOs, finance directors, and senior finance leaders
• Regulatory and compliance professionals
• Policymakers and representatives from government and industry bodies
• Institutional investors and stakeholders with an interest in global tax developments

Whether you are shaping tax strategy, advising clients, or navigating regulatory change, this conference will provide the insights and connections needed to operate effectively in a rapidly realigning global landscape.

In a world where global investment flows and tax frameworks are shifting faster than ever, the Investment Association Annual Tax Conference 2026 offers a timely and essential forum to stay ahead. Under the theme Realignment in Real-Time, this year’s conference will unpack how geopolitical change is actively reshaping the tax landscape across major financial centres.

Attend to:

• Understand global shifts – Explore how the evolving balance between the US, EU, Asia, and the Middle East is transforming tax policy, regulatory priorities, and investment strategies.
• Gain strategic insight – Hear directly from policymakers and industry leaders on how to respond to emerging risks, opportunities, and competitive pressures.
• Stay ahead of regulation – Keep up to date with the latest international tax developments affecting investment management and multinational operations.
• Learn from experts – Benefit from practical perspectives shared by leading tax specialists and decision-makers.
• Network with peers – Connect with senior professionals across the investment and tax ecosystem facing similar challenges.

This is a critical opportunity to deepen your understanding of the forces driving global economic realignment—and what they mean for your organisation.

Standard Rate - valid from 6 May 2026

• Non-members: £405 + VAT
• IA Members: £285 + VAT

Specials 

• Group discount: use the promotional code GROUP for 20% discount on bookings of five or more.
• CEOs IA Full Members: Free (to receive your access code, please contact events@theia.org)