CIS subcontractors — how much tax are you owed back?
Window fitter, scaffolder, plasterer — whatever you do, if CIS came off your pay you've likely overpaid. Check free in 60 seconds.
- Conservative, accountant-set rules
- Flat fee, never a cut
- Refund to your account
- Free to check
What subcontractors can claim
The everyday costs of being on the tools come off your taxable profit — and most of these get missed. That’s where your refund hides.
Van, fuel & mileage
Running a van for work, or mileage if you use your own vehicle.
Tools & equipment
The tools and equipment you buy and maintain for the job.
Materials you fronted
Any materials or parts you paid for before being reimbursed.
Workwear & PPE
Boots, gloves, hi-vis and the cost of washing workwear.
Training, cards & certification
Scheme membership, cards and the courses your trade requires.
Phone, internet & admin
The work share of your phone and broadband, plus accounting software.
Use of home as office
A reasonable allowance for quoting, invoicing and paperwork done from home.
A worked example
Say you were paid £38,000 over the year as a subcontractor, with CIS deducted at the standard 20% and a typical subcontractorexpense profile. Here’s roughly how it works out.
- Paid before deductions
- £38,000
- Expenses (trade avg)
- £9,500
- Taxable profit
- £28,500
- Tax + NIC due
- £4,142
- CIS deducted
- £7,600
- Estimated refund
- £3,112–£3,804
Estimate — confirm before you file. Illustrative figures for a £38,000 year — your real numbers will differ. Not a guarantee. You can also claim free at gov.uk.
How it works
You stay in control the whole way — we do the digging and the paperwork, you file your own claim.
- 1
Check your number
Enter what you were paid before deductions and see what you could be owed — free, in about a minute, no sign-up to see your estimate.
- 2
Sign up free
Like your number? Leave your details and we'll set you up. No card, no commitment — you only ever pay a flat fee if a refund lands.
- 3
Upload your statements
Send us your bank statements and our AI will read every transaction to find the expenses you can claim. Both the AI review and a one-tap UK Open Banking connection are coming soon.
- 4
Refund to your account
You file your own claim and HMRC pays the refund straight into your account. We charge a flat fee only once it's confirmed — never a cut.
Questions, answered
Check your number free
No sign-up to see your estimate. You’ve nothing to lose but the tax you overpaid.
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