The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a construction specific tax regime that allows HMRC to trace transactions and collect tax. Contractors are required to report who they pay each month and to deduct CIS tax from subcontractor payments. HMRC determine the tax deduction rate, usually 0% for large subcontract firms, 20% for self-employed individuals and small firms, and 30% for individuals and firms not properly registered.

CIS applies to all contractors and subcontractors, individuals and firms, who carry out construction work in the UK.

If you do work for the ultimate end user you are a contractor, if you do work under a subcontract for a larger contractor you are a subcontractor. Most Hudson clients are both because they carry out specialist subcontract work for a main contractor, but they also pay subcontract firms and self-employed subcontractors.

Basically all construction work that includes an on-site labour element is covered by CIS. Things like manufacturing only, delivery only, none operated plant are not covered whereas manufacture and installation would be, the cost of delivery in with that would be, and operated plant would be.

Contractors and subcontractors are required to register with HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme.

Registered contractors must then report transactions to HMRC monthly, check on subcontractor deduction rates (known as verification) and pass any money deducted over to HMRC.

All deductions must be passed on to HMRC.

As the contractor, it’s your responsibility to deduct the right amount of tax from your subcontractors and to pay it over in the correct timescale. If you fail to administer CIS correctly, you may be faced with a fine of up to £3,000 plus any tax loss, and as a business the loss of gross payment status.

You are in the right place reading this website. Contact us and we would be happy to advise, carry out a free health check and supply chain due diligence. Our aim is to leave you with a fully compliant system so there are no nasty surprises should you be inspected by HMRC.

Part of what we do will mean that the verifying and reporting of lots of individual subcontractors becomes our responsibility, you just verify and report on Hudson.