TaxTune Accountants
Services
Self AssessmentLimited Company AccountsVAT ReturnsPayrollBookkeepingCIS RefundsLandlord TaxTax PlanningCompany Formation
Industries
Taxi & Private HireLandlordsConstruction & CISOnline SellersEcommerceContractorsConsultants & FreelancersRestaurants & TakeawaysAll industries
Resources
ArticlesTax NewsDeadline CentreCalculatorsFree ChecklistsComparison GuidesCase StudiesAboutContact
Home / CIS Refunds
CIS subcontractor

Claim the CIS refund you are owed

If you work under the Construction Industry Scheme, tax is taken from your pay before you receive it. We reconcile your deductions and expenses and recover what HMRC owes you.

CIS deductions reconciled Expenses claimed in full Refund handled for you

Under the Construction Industry Scheme, contractors deduct tax from a subcontractor's pay and send it to HMRC. Because that deduction is taken before any expenses are counted, most subcontractors have paid too much tax by the end of the year, and are due a refund.

We gather your CIS deduction statements, work out your allowable expenses such as tools, travel and materials, prepare your Self Assessment return, and claim back the difference. Many subcontractors are pleasantly surprised by how much they are owed.

What is included

  • CIS deduction statements reconciled
  • Allowable expenses calculated
  • Self Assessment return prepared
  • Refund claimed from HMRC
  • Mileage and tools reviewed
  • A clear figure of what you get back

Who it is for

This service is for self employed subcontractors in construction who have tax deducted under CIS, including bricklayers, joiners, electricians, plasterers, labourers and groundworkers.

If you have never claimed a refund before, or you have used someone who did not claim your expenses properly, we will make sure your next claim is right.

Most subcontractors are owed money

Because CIS tax is deducted before expenses, the majority of subcontractors have overpaid and are due a refund once their return is done properly.

How it works

1

Send us your statements

Share your CIS deduction statements and a note of your expenses for the year.

2

We work out your expenses

We review tools, travel, materials and other allowable costs in full.

3

We prepare your return

We complete your Self Assessment and calculate the refund you are owed.

4

You get your refund

We file with HMRC and your refund is paid out, usually within a few weeks.

Common questions

How much could my refund be?
It depends on your earnings, the tax deducted and your expenses. Many subcontractors receive a meaningful refund once their return is prepared properly, but every case is different.
What records do I need?
Your CIS deduction statements from your contractors and a record of your expenses, such as tools, travel, materials and insurance. We will tell you exactly what to gather.
How long does the refund take?
Once your return is filed, HMRC usually pays refunds within a few weeks, although timing can vary at busy periods.
What does it cost?
A fixed fee agreed before we start. Start your fixed fee quote and we will confirm everything once we have reviewed your details.
How do I get started?
Fill in the short form on this page with your name, email and what you need. We will reply within one working day with the next steps and a clear fixed fee. There is no obligation.
How quickly will you reply?
We aim to reply to every enquiry within one working day, Monday to Friday. If a deadline is close, tell us in the form and we will prioritise it.
Do I have to commit to anything?
No. Your first call and your quote are free and with no obligation. We only start once you are happy with the fixed fee and have asked us to go ahead.
Can you take over from my current accountant?
Yes. Switching is straightforward and we handle the professional handover for you. You let your current accountant know, and we sort the rest.

Ready to make this simple?

Tell us about you using the form above, or book a friendly call with no obligation. We will explain exactly how we can help, on a clear fixed fee.

The detail

Who claims a CIS refund

CIS refunds are for subcontractors in construction who have had tax deducted from their pay under the Construction Industry Scheme. Bricklayers, electricians, plumbers, groundworkers and labourers often find that the 20 per cent taken at source is far more than they actually owe once their expenses are counted. The worry is gathering the right paperwork, claiming everything they are entitled to, and getting the money back without inviting an HMRC check. We prepare the claim carefully, include every allowable cost, and handle any questions from HMRC for you.

What you will need

  • Your Unique Taxpayer Reference, often called your UTR
  • Your National Insurance number and Government Gateway sign in details
  • Your CIS deduction statements from every contractor you worked for
  • A record of your total income for the tax year
  • Receipts for tools, materials and protective clothing
  • Records of travel, mileage and any work related subsistence
  • Details of phone, insurance and other allowable running costs
  • Your bank details so HMRC can pay the refund directly
Worked example

A plumber who overpaid all year

A self employed plumber is paid £40,000 by contractors during 2026/27, and 20 per cent is deducted under CIS, so £8,000 of tax is taken at source before he sees the money. Once we add up his allowable costs of £9,000 for the van, tools, materials and travel, his real taxable profit is £31,000. After the £12,570 personal allowance, the tax due on his profit, together with National Insurance, comes to far less than the £8,000 already deducted. The result is a refund of several thousand pounds. We file the return promptly, and HMRC typically repays within roughly 2 to 4 weeks, although it can take longer in January and February when demand is high.

Go deeper

Related guides, tools and real results

Everything around CIS and construction, in one place, all part of working with us.