Construction & CIS

CIS Registration

We help construction businesses and tradespeople in Cardiff register for the Construction Industry Scheme quickly and correctly, so you can focus on the work rather than the paperwork. Whether you're a contractor taking on subbies or a subcontractor who needs your status sorted, we'll get you set up and keep you compliant.

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10+

Years supporting trades

20%

Standard CIS rate

Same day

Registration starts

Over-the-shoulder view of an adult at a desk registering on a computer, with a blank form on screen and minimal office items in a clean, calm office setting.

CIS services we offer

From first-time registration through to monthly returns and verification, we cover everything construction businesses need to stay on the right side of HMRC.

Subcontractor registration

Getting you registered with HMRC so contractors can verify you and deduct tax at the lower 20% rate instead of 30%.

Contractor setup

Full registration including your PAYE reference, so you can take on subcontractors and submit monthly returns without a hitch.

Monthly CIS returns

We handle your monthly filings, making sure every payment and deduction is reported accurately and on time.

UTR applications

If you don't have a Unique Taxpayer Reference yet, we'll sort that first so your CIS registration goes through smoothly.

Getting your CIS registration right from the start

If you're working in construction around Cardiff, chances are you've heard about the Construction Industry Scheme. It's HMRC's way of making sure tax gets paid on time in an industry where cash flow moves fast and subbies change site to site. Whether you're a builder taking on subcontractors or a spark working under someone else, getting registered properly saves you money and keeps you out of trouble.

The process itself is straightforward once you know what you're doing. Subcontractors register to prove their tax status and get the lower 20% deduction instead of 30%. Contractors register so they can verify subbies, deduct the right amount, and file monthly returns to HMRC. You'll need a Unique Taxpayer Reference before you start, and if you're a limited company you'll also need to link it with your PAYE setup. We handle all of that, usually getting you live the same day you come to us.

We make sure you're registered correctly the first time, so you don't lose out to higher deductions or late penalties.

More information

A lot of tradespeople we work with have been stung before by doing it themselves and missing a step, or realising six months down the line that their UTR wasn't activated for CIS. That means contractors have been deducting 30% when it should have been 20%, and clawing that back is a headache no one needs. We double-check everything before submission and make sure your Government Gateway account is set up properly.

What happens after registration

Once you're in the system, the work doesn't stop. Contractors need to file a monthly CIS return showing who they paid, how much, and what they deducted. Miss a deadline and HMRC start adding penalties. Subcontractors need to keep records and make sure the deductions match up when it's time for your Self Assessment. We can take that off your plate completely or just help you get the process bedded in, depending on what suits your business.

We work with builders, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, and decorators all over Cardiff and the valleys. Whether you're based in Pontypridd, working a site in Caerphilly, or running jobs across the city centre, the rules are the same but the support shouldn't feel one-size-fits-all. We know what it's like juggling quotes, materials, and labour without spending half your evening filling in forms, so we keep things simple and get back to you fast.

If you're not sure whether you need to register as a contractor, a subcontractor, or both, that's exactly the kind of question we answer every week. Give us a call and we'll talk you through it in plain English, no jargon, no fuss.

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Construction & CIS

CIS Returns for Contractors

Monthly CIS returns prepared and filed on time, subcontractors verified, and deduction statements produced so you stay compliant and avoid HMRC penalties.

CIS Returns for Contractors→

Before you register

These are the questions we hear most often from trades and contractors getting started with CIS.

Do I need to register for CIS if I'm a sole trader subcontractor?

Yes, if you're doing construction work for contractors who are registered under CIS. Registration gets you the lower 20% deduction rate instead of 30%, and contractors are required to verify your status before paying you.

How long does CIS registration take?

If you already have a UTR, we can usually get you registered the same day. If you need a UTR first, HMRC take around 10 working days to issue one, then registration follows straight after.

What's the difference between registering as a contractor and a subcontractor?

Subcontractors register to prove their tax status and receive payments with the correct deduction. Contractors register so they can take on subcontractors, verify them with HMRC, deduct tax, and file monthly returns. Some businesses need both if they work under others and also take on subbies themselves.

What information do I need to provide?

You'll need your UTR, National Insurance number, business details, and VAT number if you're registered. Limited companies also need their company number. We'll gather everything and handle the submission for you.

What happens if I don't register?

Contractors will deduct tax from your payments at the higher 30% rate instead of 20%, which eats into your income. If you're a contractor and don't register, you can't legally take on subcontractors or you risk penalties from HMRC.

Do I need to do anything after I'm registered?

Contractors must file monthly CIS returns showing payments and deductions, even if there's nothing to report that month. Subcontractors need to keep records and make sure deductions are claimed properly on their Self Assessment. We can handle the monthly side of things or just help you get set up to do it yourself.

Can you help if I'm based outside Cardiff?

Absolutely. We work with construction businesses across South Wales, from the valleys down to Newport and everywhere in between. CIS is an HMRC scheme so location doesn't change the process, but it helps that we understand the local trades landscape.

How much does CIS registration cost?

We keep our fees straightforward and competitive for small trades businesses. Give us a call and we'll talk through exactly what you need and what it'll cost, with no surprises.

Let's get your CIS sorted

Book a free consultation and we'll talk through your registration, answer your questions, and get everything set up properly.