CIS Tax Refund Accountant for
Contractors & Subcontractors
Whether you're a subcontractor owed money back from HMRC or a contractor who needs help with a CIS tax return, our CIS tax refund accountant helps you stay compliant, complete your Self Assessment for subcontractors, and claim CIS refund UK quickly and accurately.
How CIS Works and Where You Fit In
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) involves contractors and subcontractors. Our CIS tax refund accountant helps you understand your responsibilities, complete every CIS tax return, and stay fully HMRC compliant.
Contractors pay subcontractors for construction work. Each month, they deduct tax from those payments — usually 20% — and submit it to HMRC via a CIS300 return.
Subcontractors are the ones having that tax deducted. At the end of the tax year, a self-employed subcontractor completes a Self Assessment to work out their actual tax bill and in most cases, the amount deducted under CIS is higher than what’s actually owed. That difference comes back as a refund.
If a subcontractor operates through a limited company, the refund route is different, CIS deductions are offset against the company’s PAYE liability rather than claimed through personal Self Assessment.
At Hammer & Ledger Tax, we work with all three: self-employed subcontractors claiming refunds, limited company subcontractors managing CIS through PAYE, and contractors keeping their monthly CIS obligations compliant.
Worked under CIS this year? Estimate your refund with our CIS Refund Calculator
Are you overpaying tax?
Ensure you're not paying more tax than necessary. Our CIS tax refund accountant reviews your records, identifies missed expenses and helps maximise your CIS refund.
Missed Expenses
CIS Confusion
Late or incorrect returns
Whichever Side of CIS You're On, We've Got It Covered
Run your numbers through our free Sole Trader vs Ltd calculator to see
what you could save, then book a free consultation and we’ll talk
through your results.
How we help
Tax returns
CIS Refunds
As simple as 1-2-3!
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FAQs About CIS Tax Returns & Refunds
How much can I claim back on a CIS refund?
It depends on your income, deductions and allowable expenses. The average CIS refund for a self-employed subcontractor is between £500 and £2,500 per tax year, but it varies widely. Use our CIS Refund Calculator for an instant estimate, or we’ll calculate your exact figure before filing
How long does a CIS refund take?
Once filed, HMRC typically processes CIS refunds within 4–6 weeks. This is HMRC’s standard turnaround and isn’t guaranteed, we’ll keep you updated throughout.
I run a limited company and have CIS deducted, how do I get it back?
Limited companies don’t claim CIS refunds through Self Assessment. Instead, CIS deductions are offset against your company’s PAYE and National Insurance through monthly EPS submissions. If deductions exceed your liability, the excess can be refunded directly. We manage this as part of your payroll.
Can I claim CIS back if I've missed previous tax years?
Yes. Self-employed subcontractors can reclaim CIS for up to four tax years. We handle backdated returns regularly
What are my obligations if I'm a contractor under CIS?
As a contractor, you must register with HMRC, verify each subcontractor before their first payment, deduct tax correctly, file a CIS300 return by the 19th of every month (even if no payments were made), and issue deduction statements to your subcontractors. We handle all of this on an ongoing basis.
What's the Self Assessment deadline?
31 January each year for online filing. The tax year runs 6 April to 5 April. Missing the deadline triggers an automatic £100 penalty from HMRC, which increases the longer it remains outstanding.
