Construction Industry Scheme
HMRC scheme requiring contractors to deduct tax (20% for registered subcontractors, 30% for unregistered) from payments to subcontractors for construction work. Materials are excluded; only the labour element is subject to deduction. Subcontractors reconcile via Self Assessment, where most receive a refund because the CIS deduction is typically higher than their actual tax liability after allowances and expenses.
Related Terms
CIS
Acronym for Construction Industry Scheme — the HMRC regime under which contractors deduct tax from payments to construction subcontractors at 20% (registered) or 30% (unregistered), with the labour element only, and subbies reconcile via Self Assessment.
Gross Payment Status
HMRC status that allows a CIS subcontractor to be paid in full with no tax deduction.
Self Assessment
The system by which individuals report their own income, gains, and reliefs to HMRC each year through an online or paper tax return, rather than having tax collected automatically under PAYE.
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