Working under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) often means you’ve had more tax deducted than you actually owe. The good news is that you can claim a CIS tax refund to get that money back.
In this guide, we’ll explain how CIS refunds work, who can claim one, and how to make the process faster and stress-free.
What is a CIS refund?
When you work as a subcontractor, contractors deduct 20–30% of your pay under CIS rules and send it directly to HMRC. Many subcontractors end up overpaying because they also have legitimate expenses such as tools, travel, or protective clothing. A CIS refund is HMRC paying back the extra tax you shouldn’t have paid.
Who can claim a CIS refund?
If you’re registered as self-employed, working under CIS, and recording business expenses, you’re likely entitled to a refund. Not sure if you qualify? Our CIS Tax Refund Service can check your eligibility and handle the claim for you.
How to claim a CIS refund
Most subcontractors reclaim CIS tax when filing their Self Assessment tax return by reporting income, deductions made by contractors, and allowable expenses. Once HMRC processes your return, they’ll send your refund directly to your bank account.
You can do this yourself, but it’s easy to miss out on money if you’re unsure what you can claim. That’s why many subcontractors choose specialists – Tax2u takes care of the calculations, includes all eligible expenses, and usually secures a larger refund in less time.
What expenses can you claim?
CIS workers can usually claim costs for tools, protective clothing, travel between sites, trade subscriptions, insurance, and even part of their home office if they manage admin from home. HMRC rules can be strict, and knowing what is and isn’t allowed can be confusing. For example, travel to your first site of the day isn’t claimable, but travel between multiple sites is.
A common question is what expenses CIS workers can claim, and our CIS FAQ hub covers the full list in detail.
When will you get your CIS refund?
HMRC typically issues refunds within two to three weeks of processing your Self Assessment, although this can take longer during busy periods like January. Using Tax2u helps reduce delays by ensuring your figures and records are accurate the first time.
CIS refunds and Making Tax Digital (MTD)
From April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment will apply to most self-employed workers earning over £50,000, and from April 2027 to those earning over £30,000. This means CIS subcontractors will need to keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates. Getting into good habits now with services like Tax2u will make it easier to stay compliant and keep refunds flowing smoothly. If you want a practical breakdown, see our guide on MTD prep for 2025-26.
Ready to claim your CIS refund?
Don’t leave money with HMRC that should be in your pocket. Tax2u has already helped thousands of subcontractors reclaim their refunds quickly and without hassle.
Start your claim today with our CIS tax refund service and get your money back faster.