The absorption of the Valuation Office Agency into HM Revenue and Customs has been completed.
As of yesterday, the VOA has ceased to exist as an executive agency. The Valuation Office (with agency dropped from the name) is now responsible for valuing properties for business rates and council tax as part of HMRC.
The abolition of the VOA was announced in April 2025 ahead of the government’s full-scale review of the status of arm’s-length bodies. Ministers said it would reduce the duplication of work, improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, and improve transparency.
The government expects the move to delivery 5-10% savings to the Valuation Office's administrative costs by the 2028-2029 tax year.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s second permanent secretary and deputy chief executive, said: “The Valuation Office joins HMRC on our collective journey to improve customer service, modernise the way we work, close the tax gap, and accelerate digitalisation, as part of our Transformation Roadmap.
“During 2025-26, property valuations supported the collection of more than £62bn in council tax and business rates – helping fund the essential public services we all rely on – and this important work now continues within HMRC.
“Bringing together our functions provides greater flexibility and will help to deliver the government’s vision of a transformed tax and customs system that is fit for the future.”
Dan Tomlinson, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, added: “We are committed to building a tax system that works for UK businesses and taxpayers, and this integration is a key part of that transformation.
“It will bring the valuations that support property taxes into HMRC’s ambitious programme of modernisation and reform and contribute positively to the government’s Plan for Change.”