Construction & Trade Professionals We Help

Our specialist service covers all construction and trade tax requirements:

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CIS Subcontractors

Construction Industry Scheme workers with 20% or 30% deductions

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Skilled Tradespeople

Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders, and all trades

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Construction Workers

Labourers, bricklayers, groundworkers, and site workers

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Plant Hire Operators

Equipment hire, digger drivers, crane operators

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Construction Contractors

Main contractors, site managers, project managers

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Finishing Trades

Painters, decorators, plasterers, tilers, floor layers

🏗️ Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Explained

What is CIS? Contractors deduct money from subcontractors' payments and pass it to HMRC as advance tax payments.

20%
Standard Rate
Registered subcontractors
30%
Higher Rate
Unregistered subcontractors
0%
Gross Payment
Verified subcontractors

Our Service Includes: CIS registration, gross payment status applications, CIS deductions reconciliation, and full Self Assessment filing.

Construction & Trade Expenses You Can Claim

Most tradespeople miss legitimate deductions. Here's what you can claim against your income:

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Tools & Equipment
  • Power tools and hand tools
  • Work clothing & safety gear
  • Tool maintenance and repairs
  • Equipment hire costs
  • Protective clothing & PPE
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Vehicle & Travel
  • Mileage to sites (45p/mile first 10,000)
  • Van/truck running costs
  • Parking and toll charges
  • Public transport to sites
  • Hotel costs for distant sites
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Business Costs
  • Mobile phone for work (business %)
  • Work-related internet
  • Trade insurance premiums
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Trade association fees
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Home & Office
  • Home office (simplified £6/week)
  • Storage for tools/materials
  • Business use of home
  • Office equipment & furniture
  • Stationery and printing
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Training & Safety
  • CSCS card and renewals
  • Health and safety training
  • Trade qualification courses
  • CPD and skill development
  • First aid training
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Materials & Consumables
  • Construction materials
  • Consumables (screws, nails, etc.)
  • Fuel for plant equipment
  • Waste disposal costs
  • Site cleaning materials

🚗 Trade Vehicle Expense Calculator

🏗️ CIS vs Self-Employed: Understanding Your Status

CIS Subcontractor

• Tax deducted at source (20%/30%)

• Must register for Self Assessment

• Can claim CIS deductions back

• May apply for gross payment status

• Quarterly CIS statements from contractors

Self-Employed Tradesperson

• No tax deducted at source

• Must register for Self Assessment

• Make payments on account

• Responsible for own tax payments

• Can be CIS registered or not

📊 Real Example: How We Saved a Builder £6,820

Client: Mark, self-employed builder working CIS and direct jobs

Situation: DIY tax return showed £18,400 tax due, claimed only £12,000 in expenses

Our Specialist Analysis Found:

  • Missed vehicle expenses: £2,800
  • Unclaimed small tools: £1,450
  • Home office & storage: £860
  • Training & safety gear: £1,210
  • CIS deductions miscalculation: £1,500

Result: Total expenses increased to £18,820

Tax Saving: £6,820 (37% reduction)

Client Comment: "As a builder, I never knew I could claim half these expenses. They understood construction costs better than I did!"

Critical Deadlines for Construction & Trades

31 January
Self Assessment Deadline
Submit tax return online and pay any tax owed. £100 immediate penalty + daily charges.
Monthly
CIS Returns (Contractors)
Contractors must file monthly CIS returns by the 19th of each month. £100 per month penalty.
31 July
Second Payment on Account
50% of previous year's tax bill due. Many tradespeople miss this payment.

⚡ VAT Flat Rate Scheme for Trades

Limited companies and sole traders: If your VAT-exclusive turnover is under £150,000, you can use the Flat Rate Scheme.

9.5%
General building
14.5%
Labour-only building
10%
Plumbing & electrical
1% reduction
First year of VAT registration

Our Service: We help tradespeople register for the right scheme, calculate correct flat rates, and ensure VAT compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay tax on CIS deductions? +

Your CIS deductions are advance payments towards your annual tax bill. When you submit your Self Assessment tax return, HMRC calculates your total tax liability and compares it with what you've already paid through CIS deductions. If you've overpaid, you'll receive a refund. If you've underpaid, you'll need to pay the balance by 31 January. Our service ensures you never overpay or underpay.

What expenses can I claim as a tradesperson? +

Most tradespeople can claim: tools and equipment, work clothing (boots, hi-vis, steel toe caps), vehicle costs (45p/mile first 10,000 miles), mobile phone and internet (business use percentage), professional fees (CSCS card, trade memberships), training courses, safety equipment, materials and consumables, and home office costs. You cannot claim for travel between home and a permanent workplace or non-work-specific clothing.

How do I register for the Construction Industry Scheme? +

You can register for CIS online through your HMRC business tax account. You'll need: your National Insurance number, Unique Taxpayer Reference, business details, and trading history. Once registered, you'll receive a UTR and be issued a verification number. Contractors will then deduct tax at 20% (or 30% if unregistered). Our team can handle your CIS registration and help you apply for gross payment status.

Should I use simplified expenses or actual costs? +

For vehicles, simplified expenses (45p/mile) is often better if you have a small van or car with low running costs. For larger vans or older vehicles with high maintenance costs, actual costs may give you a bigger deduction. For home office, the simplified £6/week is easiest, but if you have high business use of home, actual costs could be more beneficial. We calculate both methods and choose the best for your situation.

What records do I need to keep for HMRC? +

Keep all records for at least 5 years after the tax year: CIS statements from contractors, invoices you've issued, receipts for tools and materials, vehicle mileage logs, bank statements, purchase invoices, and records of any CIS deductions claimed. Digital records are fine. We provide a simple expense tracker specifically designed for tradespeople to help you stay organised throughout the year.