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CIS Returns Accountant
Monthly CIS returns, subcontractor verification and CIS refunds handled, for a fixed fee
We verify your subcontractors, calculate deductions, issue statements and file your monthly CIS returns by the 19th. Subcontractors get every overpaid CIS deduction back.
- Monthly CIS returns by the 19th
- Subcontractors verified
- CIS refunds reclaimed
- Fixed fee, agreed first
Get your CIS returns fixed fee
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How much do CIS returns cost with an accountant?
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In short
What is a CIS return?
A CIS return is the monthly return a contractor in the Construction Industry Scheme sends to HMRC, listing every payment made to subcontractors and the tax deducted. Contractors deduct 20% from registered subcontractors' labour, or 30% if they aren't registered, and pay it to HMRC. The return is due by the 19th of each month, even when no payments were made, unless HMRC has been told you're inactive.
- Registered rate20% of the labour element
- Unregistered rate30%
- Return due19th of each month
- Payment due22nd, if paid electronically
Who needs to file CIS returns?
The Construction Industry Scheme applies to construction work in the UK. You must register if:
- You're a contractor paying subcontractors for construction work
- You're a deemed contractor spending over £3 million on construction in 12 months
- You're a subcontractor working for CIS contractors
- You're both, paying and working as a subcontractor
- You run a limited company that pays or works as a subcontractor
- You want gross payment status, so contractors pay you in full
Construction work includes building, alterations, repairs, decorating and demolition. Some work, such as architecture and surveying, is outside CIS.
Your next CIS return deadline
CIS returns follow the tax month, which runs from the 6th to the 5th.
- 6TH6 September 2026Start of the tax month
- 5TH5 October 2026End of the tax month
- 19TH19 October 2026CIS return due to HMRC
- 22ND22 October 2026CIS deductions paid to HMRC
days until your next CIS return is due. Payment and deduction statements must also reach each subcontractor within 14 days of the end of the tax month.
What's included in our CIS returns service
Everything contractors and subcontractors need under CIS.
- Registering you for CIS with HMRC
- Verifying every new subcontractor
- Calculating deductions on the labour element
- Monthly CIS return filed by the 19th
- Payment and deduction statements
- Nil returns or inactivity notices
- Your monthly payment to HMRC in writing
- VAT domestic reverse charge applied
- CIS refunds for subcontractors
- Offsetting CIS against company PAYE
- Gross payment status applications
- Unlimited questions by phone, email and video
How we handle your CIS returns
Four simple steps every tax month.
Send us your payments
Tell us who you paid and how much, split between labour and materials.
We verify subcontractors
We check each new subcontractor with HMRC to get the right deduction rate.
We file your CIS return
We file your monthly return by the 19th and send statements to subcontractors.
You pay HMRC
We tell you how much to pay by the 22nd, so there are no surprises.
CIS refunds for subcontractors
Too much tax is often taken under CIS. We make sure subcontractors get it back.
CIS refunds for sole traders
- CIS deductions count towards your Income Tax and National Insurance
- Refunds come through your Self Assessment tax return
- We claim every allowable expense to maximise your refund
CIS refunds for limited companies
- CIS deductions are offset against the company's PAYE each month
- Unused amounts are reclaimed from HMRC
- Records kept so claims aren't delayed
Gross payment status under CIS
- Get paid without deductions
- Must pass business, turnover and compliance tests
- We check eligibility and apply for you
CIS penalties and how to avoid them
Late CIS returns trigger automatic penalties, even if you owe nothing.
| How late | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 1 day | £100 |
| 2 months | £200 |
| 6 months | £300 or 5% of the CIS deductions on the return, whichever is higher |
| 12 months | £300 or 5% of the CIS deductions, whichever is higher. Higher penalties can apply if information is deliberately withheld |
Source: GOV.UK CIS penalties.
CIS returns prices
Fixed fees, agreed in writing before we start. Prices exclude VAT.
Essential
Up to 5 subcontractors a month, with monthly CIS returns, accounts and your tax return.
See what's includedStandard
Up to 15 subcontractors, VAT reverse charge returns and payroll for up to 5 employees.
Check my exact priceComplete
Up to 30 subcontractors, monthly bookkeeping, job profit reports and payroll for 10.
See what's includedEach extra subcontractor is £2 a month. CIS subcontractors use our sole trader prices from £30 a month. Compare construction packages.
Using an accountant vs filing your own CIS returns
CIS returns are due every month, and a single late return means an automatic penalty.
| Doing it yourself | With Fixed Fee Accountant | |
|---|---|---|
| Verification | You check each subcontractor yourself | Every subcontractor verified with HMRC |
| Deductions | Labour and materials split to get right | Calculated correctly every month |
| Deadlines | A return every month by the 19th | Filed on time, including nil returns |
| Refunds | Overpaid CIS easy to miss | Every overpayment reclaimed |
| Cost | Your time, plus software | From £110 a month + VAT, fixed |
CIS help for contractors and subcontractors
Choose your situation to see how we help.
Construction firms
Monthly CIS returns, payroll and VAT reverse charge for contractors.
Accountant for construction firms →Self-employed builders
CIS refunds through your tax return as a subcontractor.
Accountant for the self-employed →Sole traders
Bookkeeping, CIS refunds and your Self Assessment.
Accountant for sole traders →Limited companies
CIS offset against PAYE and reclaimed for your company.
Accountant for limited companies →Property developers
CIS on development projects and deemed contractor rules.
Accountant for property developers →Partnerships
CIS for building partnerships and their partners.
Accountant for partnerships →Want to be paid without deductions?
With gross payment status, contractors pay you in full. We check whether you meet HMRC's tests and apply for you.
Fixed fee CIS accountant
As a fixed fee CIS accountant, we agree your price before we start. Every monthly CIS return, statement and question is included, so a busy month on site never means a bigger bill.
- Price agreed in writing first
- No hourly rates
- No charge for questions
Online CIS accountant
As an online CIS accountant, you send payment details from your phone or by email, and we file your CIS returns and talk to you by phone, email and video, including evenings and Saturdays.
- Secure online document upload
- Evenings and Saturdays
- Support anywhere in the UK
CIS returns FAQs
When is the CIS return due?
The monthly CIS return is due by the 19th of each month, covering payments made in the tax month that ended on the 5th. Deductions must be paid to HMRC by the 22nd if you pay electronically.
What are the CIS deduction rates?
Contractors deduct 20% from payments to registered subcontractors and 30% from unregistered subcontractors. Subcontractors with gross payment status are paid without deductions. Deductions apply to labour, not materials.
How much does an accountant charge for CIS returns?
Our construction packages, which include monthly CIS returns, start at £110 a month plus VAT. CIS subcontractors use our sole trader packages from £30 a month, including CIS refunds.
Do I need to file a CIS return if I made no payments?
Yes, unless you've told HMRC you're inactive. Otherwise, you must file a nil return by the 19th to avoid a penalty.
What happens if a CIS return is late?
HMRC charges £100 the day after the deadline, £200 after 2 months, and £300 or 5% of the deductions after 6 and 12 months. Penalties apply even if no tax is owed.
How do subcontractors get CIS refunds?
Sole trader subcontractors claim refunds through their Self Assessment tax return. Limited company subcontractors offset deductions against the company's PAYE and reclaim any balance from HMRC.
What is gross payment status?
Gross payment status lets subcontractors receive payments without CIS deductions. You must pass HMRC's business, turnover and compliance tests to qualify.
Do I need to verify subcontractors?
Yes. Contractors must verify each new subcontractor with HMRC before paying them, to confirm whether to deduct 20%, 30% or nothing.
Does the VAT reverse charge apply to CIS work?
For most building work between VAT-registered businesses in CIS, the domestic reverse charge applies, so the customer accounts for the VAT. We apply it correctly on your invoices and returns.
Can you catch up late CIS returns?
Yes. We file overdue CIS returns, deal with HMRC and appeal penalties where you have a reasonable excuse.
Get your CIS returns handled
Tell us about your CIS work and we'll confirm your fixed fee, usually the same working day.