You've probably overpaid tax. We can get it back.
If you work in construction as a subcontractor or sole trader and you're paid under the CIS scheme, there's a strong chance HMRC has taken more than they should. Most people never claim it back.
The Construction Industry Scheme, Explained.
When you work as a subcontractor in construction, your contractor usually deducts tax from your pay before you receive it and sends it to HMRC on your behalf. This is the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).
The deduction rate is either 20% or 30% depending on your registration status. The problem is that this is a rough estimate. It doesn't account for your actual expenses, allowances, or personal tax situation. Most subcontractors end up paying more than they actually owe.
The excess sits with HMRC until you claim it. If you've never submitted a tax return, it might still be sitting there now.
It varies depending on how much you earned, how long you've been working under CIS, and what expenses you've had. But for many sole trader subcontractors, refunds of several hundred to several thousand pounds per year are common. We've seen significantly more where returns haven't been filed for multiple years.
You can normally claim back up to four tax years. After that, the refund window closes. If you've been overpaying for years and haven't claimed, the clock is already running.
If any of this sounds like you, you probably have a refund waiting.
Sole Trader Subcontractors
You're self-employed, you work in construction, and contractors deduct tax from your payments before you receive them.
Labourers & Tradespeople
Bricklayers, joiners, plasterers, electricians, plumbers: if you're paid net of CIS deductions, you're likely due a refund.
Workers on Multiple Sites
If you've moved between contractors or worked multiple projects in a year, the deductions can stack up quickly.
People Who've Never Filed
If you've never submitted a Self Assessment return, the refunds you're owed may have been accumulating for years.
Workers With Business Expenses
Tools, materials, travel, workwear: legitimate expenses reduce your taxable income and increase your refund.
Registered at 30% Rate
If you're deducted at 30% instead of the standard 20%, your refund is likely to be proportionally larger.
Simple. We do the work. You get the money.
You don't need to understand the tax rules. That's what we're here for. All we need from you is some basic information, and we take it from there.
Tell us your situation
A quick conversation: how long you've been under CIS, who you've worked for, roughly what you earned. That's enough to get started.
We gather the numbers
We'll get the CIS deduction statements from your contractors or HMRC and work out exactly what's been paid over.
We prepare and file your returns
We prepare the Self Assessment returns for any years that need filing and submit them to HMRC on your behalf.
HMRC pay you
Once the returns are processed, HMRC send the refund directly to you. We'll let you know what to expect and when.
Transparent pricing. No surprises.
We charge a flat fee for CIS refund work, agreed upfront before we start. You'll know exactly what you're paying before anything is filed.
There are no hidden charges and no percentage of your refund taken as commission. What HMRC send you is yours.
Get a quote"Got my CIS refund sorted quickly and with no hassle. I'd been putting it off for two years. Wish I'd called sooner."
Self-employed subcontractor, Lancashire
Subcontractors, from Merseyside to Manchester to Lancashire.
The North West is one of the most active construction regions in the UK. We work with self-employed subcontractors and sole traders across Liverpool, the Wirral, the Manchester and Salford regeneration sites, Warrington and Widnes commercial schemes, and residential builds across Cheshire and Lancashire.
Most of the subcontractors we work with have never claimed a refund. Some haven’t filed a Self Assessment in years. Both are normal — and both are usually straightforward to put right.
Also see: Working on a project as a developer or investor? Our Property Advisory service covers developer VAT, SDLT, CGT and company structures.
Bricklayers · joiners · plasterers · electricians · plumbers · roofers · groundworkers · labourers · tilers · painters · plant operators · site supervisors
Find out what you're owed.
It takes a few minutes to get started. If there's a refund due, we'll find it and get it back for you.
Check your refund