CIS payroll is not a usual payroll. It is a special tax to the individuals employed in construction. These employees tend to be self-employed. However they receive tax deductions before payment. CIS payroll services make it all fair and legal.
What is CIS Payroll?
CIS is an abbreviation of Construction Industry Scheme. This rule has been established by the government of the UK. This rule helps in the regulation of payment of workers in the construction industry. When we discuss CIS payroll, we refer to the way employees and businesses manage the pay, tax, and record on construction work.
Who Uses CIS Payroll?
It can be used by anyone involved in the construction industry, such as
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Painters
- Roofers
- Construction companies
- Subcontractors

When a person is hired under a company as a subcontractor he is not a full time employee. Still, they are paid to work. CIS payroll is useful there.
What Is HMRC CIS Payroll?
HMRC responsible to Her Majesty Revenue and Customs and the tax department of the UK. CIS payroll system is applied to monitor and collect tax on workers in the construction industry.
Here is what goes on:
- A subcontractor is hired by a contractor
- The contractor verifies the subcontractor information at HMRC
- HMRC returns a tax rate (and this is normally 20%)
- The payment is subjected to 20% tax by the contractor
- The tax is directly paid to the HMRC
- The remaining money is transferred to the subcontractor
This system assists subcontractors to keep abreast of taxes. It also assists contractors in complying with the law
What Is the Difference Between CIS and Payroll?
Here is an easy to figure out way to look at it:
Feature Normal Payroll CIS Payroll
Used for Employees Subcontractors in construction
Tax type PAYE Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Who pays tax? Employer handle all Some tax is deducted by Contractor
National Insurance Yes Usually No
Payslips Regular payslips Deduction and Payment Statements
Why Is CIS Payroll Important?
The importance of CIS payroll is important due to the following reasons:
- Assists the government in tax collection
- Makes records clean and legal
- Prevents tax fraud
- Assists the employees to understand how much tax they had paid
- Assists firms to pay the appropriate amount
Without CIS a lot of workers could pay taxes improperly. That would lead to a huge trouble for them and the company.
What CIS Payroll Services Do?
Most companies do not want to do the CIS payroll manually. It is time-consuming, requires knowledge and must abide by rules. That is why businesses hire CIS payroll services.
Such are firms which:
- Register subcontractors
- Phone HMRC
- Pay the right tax
- Issue tax to HMRC
- Provide payments slips and payslips
- Submit all documents on a timely basis
- They simplify contractors and subcontractors. All is performed well and in due time.
Steps to Run CIS Payroll
To do CIS payroll, they must follow these steps:
- CIS is being registered with HMRC
- Include the information of subcontractors
- HMRC taxes calculator
- Work and sign the logs
- Deduct tax on payment of subcontractor
- Submit the tax to HMRC
- Provide a statement to the subcontractor
- Make monthly reports to HMRC
It is performed monthly. It must be proper and on time.
What Happens If One Don’t Use CIS Payroll?
If a contractor does not follow HMRC CIS payroll rules, they may:
- Get fines
- Overpay or underpay tax
- Legal issues
- Lose the trust of subcontractors
- Ban from hiring in the future
The rules must always be followed. All these problems can be avoided with the help of CIS payroll services.
Who Should Register for CIS?
The two primary individuals should register:
1- Contractors (the one who provides work)
2- Subcontractors – the one that works
The contractors are required to register. The subcontractors have an option. Sometimes, when a subcontractor is not able to register with HMRC. Payment deduction increased to 30% instead of 20%.
How CIS Helps Subcontractors?
Here’s why:
- One pay tax on income received
- Individual can follow their earnings more easily
- CIS tax refund occurs when overpay
- It shows worker follow the law
- Businesses trust more on person
Subcontractors can also reclaim additional tax, through filing a Self-Assessment to HMRC, once a year in April.
Conclusion
In the UK the construction industry mostly depends on CIS payroll. It assists employees in paying tax comfortably. CIS payroll services help businesses to be safe and lawful. It is a unique tax for individuals working on building projects.
Whether one knows how to do it or not, that is not a problem. CIS payroll services are available. They communicate with HMRC, collect payments, and submit clear records. CIS and payroll are things one needs to know if he are a contractor or subcontractor.
FAQs
Who must enrol in CIS?
Contractors are obliged to be registered with HMRC. To prevent increased tax deductions, subcontractors are encouraged to enrol.
What is the amount of CIS tax deduction?
Tax deduction is usually 20%. Otherwise, 30% may be deducted by HMRC.
What are CIS payroll services?
They are organisations which handle CIS tax activities; registration, deductions, HMRC submission and payslips.
How is CIS different from normal payroll?
Under the CIS scheme, contractors deduct tax before paying subcontractors. Employees under PAYE get regular payroll.
Contact Us for Free Advice:
To discuss how Accountants in Slough can assist you with your Accounts Preparation, please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation on: 0333 772 1616 or complete our Contact form and we will get back to you.