Expert CIS accounting to protect your construction cash flow
We handle your subcontractor verifications, monthly CIS filings, and year-end tax reclaims. Let us manage HMRC compliance while you focus on your projects.
Free to set up No minimum contract Switch in minutes
All-inclusive from
£42.50/mo + VAT
Setup and switching fees
FreeAgent bookkeeping software license
Dedicated, named UK accountant
Making Tax Digital compliant
What you get with CIS Accountants
Contractors & subcontractors — different obligations
CIS creates very different duties depending on whether you engage other workers or work under contract yourself. Many people in construction are both — we handle both sides.
Contractors
Businesses that engage subcontractors
Verify subcontractors
Before making a first payment, contractors must verify each subcontractor with HMRC to determine the correct deduction rate (0%, 20%, or 30%).
Make CIS deductions
Deduct the correct percentage from each payment to a subcontractor (labour element only — materials are excluded from the deduction).
File monthly returns
Submit a CIS monthly return to HMRC by the 19th of each month detailing payments made and deductions taken in the previous tax month.
Issue payment & deduction statements
Provide each subcontractor with a payment and deduction statement within 14 days of the end of each tax month.
Subcontractors
Individuals and businesses working under contract
Register with HMRC for CIS
Register before work starts to ensure you're on the 20% standard rate rather than the 30% higher rate. We handle registration as part of onboarding.
Provide your UTR to contractors
Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is what contractors use to verify you with HMRC. Without it, they must deduct at 30%.
Track deductions suffered
Keep records of every payment and deduction statement you receive. These deductions will be offset against your tax liability at year end.
Reclaim overpaid tax at year end
Most CIS subcontractors overpay tax during the year. Your self assessment return is where you reclaim the difference — we make sure you don't miss a penny.
MTD for CIS — what's changing, and when
CIS subcontractors are self-employed, so Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to you. Here's the timeline, what you'll need to do, and how we keep it effortless.
£50,000+ income
MTD for Income Tax begins for self-employed income over £50k — this brings in most CIS subcontractors first.
£30,000+ income
The threshold drops to £30k, pulling more CIS workers into quarterly digital reporting.
£20,000+ income
The threshold drops again to £20k — by now almost every CIS subcontractor is included.
What you'll need to do
Keep digital records
Record all income and CIS deductions digitally using MTD-compatible software — no more shoeboxes of statements.
Send quarterly updates
Submit a summary of your income and expenses to HMRC every three months, instead of one return a year.
File a final declaration
Confirm your figures after the tax year ends to finalise your tax — this replaces the old self assessment return.
The need-to-know
FreeAgent is included free and fully MTD-ready — tracking your CIS deductions and keeping your records set up for quarterly digital reporting.
Real-time deduction tracking means faster, more accurate year-end reclaims. MTD quarterly filing is available as an add-on — we'll quote it clearly.
The difference a dedicated accountant makes
Protect your cash flow
We help you apply for Gross Payment Status if you qualify, or ensure your 20% deductions are calculated accurately. This prevents unnecessary money from being tied up with HMRC.
Avoid automated HMRC penalties
With the return of mandatory monthly nil filings from April 2026, we ensure your CIS returns are submitted on time every month. We keep you compliant even during quiet periods when no subcontractors are paid.
Faster year-end tax reclaims
We reconcile your deduction statements and submit your reclaims or offsets promptly at the end of the tax year. This helps you get your overpaid tax back into your business bank account as quickly as possible.
The right business structure
We evaluate whether a sole trader or limited company setup is more tax-efficient for your specific trade. Our team handles the entire transition if you decide to change structures.
Going it alone vs having us in your corner
You can absolutely do your own books. Here's what actually changes when a dedicated accountant takes it off your plate.
Doing it yourself
Accounting software
Pay for FreeAgent yourself — that's £100s a year on top.
Tax savings
Easy to miss allowable expenses, reliefs and allowances.
Your time
Evenings lost to receipts, spreadsheets and HMRC admin.
Knowledge & deadlines
MTD, National Insurance and filing dates — costly to get wrong.
With Workwell
Accounting software
FreeAgent included free, set up and ready to go.
Tax savings
Proactive planning to claim every allowance — often saving more than we cost.
Your time
We handle the books and filing, so you get your evenings back.
Knowledge & deadlines
A named accountant keeps you compliant and filed on time, every time.
The bottom line
Free software, more tax saved and your time back — for just £42.50/mo.
Most clients save more in tax and software than they pay us. Switching takes minutes.
“Workwell has administered my company since formation in 2014. I am very happy with the quality of the service that they have provided. Danielle and Ross, in particular, have been excellent in their roles as lead client accountants.”
Limited company client
With Workwell since 2014
Questions, answered
Ready to get CIS accountants sorted?
A dedicated accountant, unlimited advice and free software — one simple monthly fee. Set up in minutes.