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If you work in construction, whether as an electrician, plumber, roofer, or general subcontractor, there is a good chance HMRC is holding onto more of your money than it should. As a specialist CIS accountant, Account Ease helps contractors and subcontractors across the UK stay compliant with the Construction Industry Scheme while making sure every pound of overpaid tax finds its way back to you.
Our CIS service is built around fixed monthly fees, so you always know what you are paying with no surprise bills once your refund arrives. Packages typically include CIS registration, self assessment preparation, expense reviews and, for contractors, monthly CIS return filing. Full details are available on our pricing and plans page. As GOV.UK explains, CIS rules apply whether you work as a sole trader or through a limited company, and if your self-employment income moves above £50,000 you will also need to prepare for Making Tax Digital from April 2026, something we help clients get ready for well in advance.
The Construction Industry Scheme requires contractors to deduct money from a subcontractor’s payments before it reaches their bank account, then pass that amount straight to HMRC as an advance payment toward tax and National Insurance. Registered subcontractors have 20% deducted from their labour, while those who have not registered face a higher 30% deduction. Some established businesses qualify for gross payment status, meaning no deduction is taken at all. This system covers most building, electrical, plumbing, roofing and general construction work, and it applies whether you operate as a sole trader or through a limited company. Getting the basics right from day one, including proper CIS registration, makes everything that follows far simpler, which is exactly why a dedicated CIS accountant is worth having in your corner.
Here is the part most subcontractors do not realise until someone explains it to them: the 20% or 30% deducted under CIS is calculated purely on your gross labour payments. It takes no account of your personal tax allowance, and it completely ignores your business expenses, tools, materials, travel, insurance, none of it factors in. Once your actual tax bill is worked out through self assessment, using your real income and real expenses, it is almost always lower than what has already been deducted at source. That difference is your refund, and for most subcontractors it is a meaningful sum, often somewhere in the region of £2,000 to £3,000 for the tax year, though the exact figure depends entirely on your earnings and expenses.
Claiming back what you are owed means filing an accurate self assessment tax return that reflects your true income, expenses and CIS deductions suffered during the year. We collect your CIS payment and deduction statements from every contractor you have worked for, gather your expense records, and prepare your return to make sure nothing is left unclaimed. Once submitted, HMRC typically processes refunds within four to eight weeks, and we file early in the tax year wherever possible so your money lands in your account sooner rather than later. As a CIS accountant, this is one of the most rewarding parts of our job, because it is your money, and our role is simply to make sure you actually get it.
If you operate as a contractor rather than a subcontractor, you carry a separate set of obligations. Monthly CIS returns are due by the 19th of each month, covering payments made to subcontractors in the previous tax month, and this applies even in months where no payments were made, since a nil return is still required. Missing a deadline triggers an automatic penalty starting at £100, rising the longer a return remains outstanding. We manage this entire process for contractor clients, filing returns on time every month and keeping subcontractor statements in order, so nothing slips through and no unnecessary penalties land on your desk.
Because CIS deductions ignore your expenses entirely, claiming everything you are entitled to is the single biggest factor in the size of your refund. Common allowable expenses for construction workers include tools and equipment, materials you have personally paid for, protective clothing and PPE, van and fuel costs or mileage, public liability insurance, and accountancy fees. Many subcontractors filing their own returns miss whole categories of expenses, particularly vehicle costs, which can quietly cost them hundreds of pounds every year. We go through your expenses in detail to make sure your claim reflects everything you are genuinely owed. If you take on other trade work alongside CIS contracts, we factor that into your return too.
If you think HMRC might be holding onto money that belongs to you, get in touch. As your dedicated CIS accountant, we will review your position, register you correctly if needed, and get your refund claim moving quickly, with many subcontractors reclaiming £2,000 or more once their return is properly prepared. Contact Account Ease to arrange a free initial conversation.
Account-ease made my self-assessment process so simple and stress-free. Their team is knowledgeable, efficient, and always available to answer my questions. I highly recommend their services.
Ready to simplify your startup process? Contact us today for a free consultation. Our team of experts is here to help you navigate your tax obligations with ease.
It varies by individual, but many subcontractors receive refunds in the region of £2,000 to £3,000 per tax year, depending on their earnings, expenses and how much was deducted at source.
Yes. CIS deductions are only an advance payment toward your tax bill, not your final liability. You must still file a self assessment return to declare your income, claim expenses, and reconcile what you actually owe against what has already been deducted.
Common claims include tools and equipment, materials, protective clothing and PPE, van costs or mileage, public liability insurance, and accountancy fees. These reduce your taxable profit and directly increase the size of your refund.
HMRC typically processes refunds within four to eight weeks of receiving an accurate self assessment return. Filing early in the tax year, rather than waiting until the January deadline, generally means your refund arrives sooner.
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