Author: JTR Accountancy

VAT can be particularly confusing for construction businesses and related trades. Whether you’re a builder, electrician, plumber, roofer, plasterer, groundworker, heating engineer or specialist installer, the VAT treatment of your work can depend on the type of property, the work you are carrying out and who your customer is.

You may need to charge VAT at 20%, 5% or 0%, or you may need to use the domestic reverse charge.

Getting the VAT treatment wrong can lead to problems with your VAT returns, so it is important to understand the basic rules.

This guide provides an overview of some of the most common VAT treatments for construction and related work. However, construction VAT has a number of detailed rules and exceptions, so you should always check the specific circumstances of a job before deciding what VAT to charge.

20% VAT: The Standard Rate

The standard rate of VAT is 20%, and this applies to most construction work unless a specific zero-rate or reduced rate rule applies.

For many businesses in the construction sector, 20% will be the starting point.

Examples of work that will commonly be standard rated include:

• General building work and repairs
• Extensions to existing homes
• General renovation work that does not qualify for a reduced rate
• Decorating and painting
• Plumbing work
• Electrical work
• Roofing repairs
• Plastering
• Carpentry and joinery
• Landscaping and many types of external works
• General maintenance
• Construction work on many commercial properties
• Supply-only sales of many building materials and specialist equipment

For example, if a plumber carries out a standard bathroom installation in an existing home, this will generally be subject to VAT at 20%.

Likewise, an electrician installing a new electrical system as part of an ordinary home extension would generally charge 20%, unless a specific VAT relief applies.

It is important to remember that 20% is the standard rate, not necessarily the rate you will charge on every construction job.

The type of work, the property and the customer’s circumstances can all affect the VAT treatment. There is also an important distinction between the VAT rate and the domestic reverse charge. A construction service can be standard rated at 20% but still be subject to the domestic reverse charge. In that situation, the subcontractor does not add the 20% VAT to the amount the customer pays; instead, the customer (the contractor) accounts for the VAT themselves.

0% VAT: Qualifying New Builds and Certain Energy-Saving Work

Some construction work can qualify for 0% VAT, but there are specific conditions that need to be met.

New houses and flats

The construction of a qualifying new dwelling, such as a new house or flat, can be zero-rated for VAT.

This can apply to qualifying construction services and building materials supplied as part of the construction work.

For example, a contractor building a qualifying new house may be able to zero-rate their work. Similarly, trades such as plumbers, electricians, plasterers and carpenters may be able to zero-rate qualifying work carried out in the course of building the new dwelling.

However, simply describing a project as a “new build” does not automatically mean that everything supplied for the project is zero-rated.

There are specific conditions that need to be met for a building to qualify. There are also rules around mixed-use buildings, annexes and other types of development.

Energy-saving materials

There is also a temporary 0% VAT rate for certain energy-saving materials when they are installed in qualifying residential accommodation and certain charitable buildings.

Examples currently include:

• Air-source heat pumps
• Ground-source heat pumps
• Water-source heat pumps
• Solar panels
• Insulation
• Certain central heating and hot water controls
• Electrical storage batteries
• Certain micro combined heat and power units
• Certain wind and water turbines

The 0% rate currently applies to qualifying installations in Great Britain until 31 March 2027, after which the rate is due to revert to 5%.

This can be particularly relevant to specialist trades.

For example, a business installing an eligible air-source heat pump in a qualifying home may be able to apply the 0% rate to the installation.

It is important not to confuse this with ordinary air-conditioning installation, which is generally standard rated at 20%.

There are also specific rules around what work qualifies as part of the installation, so specialist installers should check the current rules carefully.

Other examples of 0% construction work

There are some other circumstances where construction related work can qualify for 0%, including certain:

• Construction of buildings for relevant residential purposes
• Construction of buildings for qualifying charitable purposes
• Conversions carried out for housing associations
• Works to accommodate the needs of disabled people
• First-time gas and electricity connections

These areas have their own conditions, so the 0% rate should not be applied without checking that the particular job qualifies.

5% VAT: Qualifying Renovations, Conversions and Installations

There are also circumstances where construction and related work can qualify for the reduced rate of 5% VAT.

Examples can include:

• Certain conversions of non-residential buildings into residential properties
• Certain conversions of residential properties that result in a change in the number of dwellings
• Renovation or alteration of qualifying residential properties that have been empty for at least two years
• Certain qualifying energy-saving installations
• Certain grant-funded heating equipment
• Certain qualifying mobility aids installed in domestic accommodation

For example, if a commercial building is converted into flats and the conditions for the reduced rate are met, qualifying construction services involved in the conversion may be subject to 5% VAT.

Similarly, certain qualifying heating and energy-saving installations can benefit from reduced rates depending on the circumstances.

The rules can be particularly relevant to specialist trades such as heating engineers, renewable energy installers and insulation installers.

However, the fact that a product or service is marketed as “energy efficient” does not automatically mean it qualifies for 5% VAT.

The exact product, installation and circumstances need to be considered.

Installation matters

One particularly important point for specialist installers is that the VAT treatment can depend on whether you are supplying and installing the qualifying product.

For example, certain energy-saving materials can qualify for VAT relief when installed by a contractor, whereas simply selling the product without installation can be subject to the standard 20% rate.

This is why businesses supplying products such as solar panels, heat pumps or insulation need to consider both the product and the nature of the supply when deciding which VAT rate to use.

Domestic Reverse Charge: When You Don’t Charge the VAT

The domestic reverse charge is particularly important for construction businesses and subcontractors.

Unlike the 20%, 5% and 0% rates discussed above, the domestic reverse charge is not a separate rate of VAT.

Instead, it changes who accounts for the VAT.

Where the domestic reverse charge applies, the subcontractor does not charge the VAT to their customer. Instead, the customer accounts for the VAT themselves on their VAT return.

The domestic reverse charge generally applies to qualifying building and construction services where:

• The supplier is VAT registered in the UK
• The customer is VAT registered in the UK
• The payment is reported under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
• The services are standard-rated or reduced-rated
• The customer has not notified the supplier that they are an end user.

The domestic reverse charge has applied to certain construction services since 1 March 2021.

CIS does not automatically mean domestic reverse charge

It is easy to assume that if a job falls under CIS, the domestic reverse charge must automatically be used.

However, CIS and the VAT domestic reverse charge are separate rules.

Most qualifying construction services reported under CIS will fall within the domestic reverse charge, but there are important exceptions, particularly where the customer is an end user.

For example, a housing association may be a CIS contractor but purchase construction services for its own properties rather than to make onward supplies of construction services. It can therefore qualify as an end user for domestic reverse charge purposes.

If it notifies its supplier in writing that it is an end user, the normal VAT rules apply instead of the reverse charge.

This is an important distinction for construction businesses to understand:

A customer can fall within CIS without the domestic reverse charge necessarily applying to the invoice.

What about a large housebuilder?

A different situation would apply where you are working as a subcontractor for a main building contractor or housebuilder.

For example, if a subcontractor carries out bricklaying, electrical, plumbing or roofing work for a large housebuilder as part of a development, the work may fall within CIS and the domestic reverse charge will generally apply where all the other conditions are met.

This is because a main building contractor is generally not an end user for domestic reverse charge purposes. It is purchasing construction services to use in making onward supplies of construction services.

The key point is that the domestic reverse charge is concerned with how the construction services move through the supply chain, rather than simply whether the customer ultimately owns the property.

What Does the Reverse Charge Mean for Your Invoice?

Where the domestic reverse charge applies, you should not add the VAT to the amount payable by your customer.

Instead, your customer accounts for the VAT themselves.

Your invoice should make it clear that the domestic reverse charge applies and include the appropriate wording.

For a subcontractor, this means the amount received from the customer will normally be the net amount, rather than the net amount plus VAT.

The customer then accounts for the VAT under the reverse charge on their own VAT return and, where eligible, can normally reclaim the VAT in the usual way.

Your accounting software also needs to be set up correctly to record the transaction.

What VAT Rate Should You Charge? A Quick Checklist

Before raising an invoice, ask yourself:

1. What type of property am I working on?

Is it a new dwelling, an existing residential property, a commercial property or another type of building?

2. What exactly am I supplying?

Is it construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, renovation, installation, professional services or simply the supply of goods?

3. Could the work qualify for 0% VAT?

Consider qualifying new builds, certain charitable or residential buildings, disability adaptations and qualifying energy-saving installations.

4. Could the work qualify for 5% VAT?

Consider qualifying conversions, renovations of properties that have been empty for at least two years and certain qualifying installations.

5. If neither applies, is it 20%?

For most ordinary construction and related work, 20% will be the correct starting point.

6. Is the work within CIS?

If so, consider whether the domestic reverse charge applies.

7. Is my customer VAT registered?

The domestic reverse charge requires the customer to be VAT registered. If they are not, then charge standard above rate.

8. Is my customer an end user or qualifying intermediary supplier?

If they qualify and have notified you in writing, the reverse charge will not apply and you must charge VAT as normal.

Common Questions About Construction VAT

Do builders charge VAT on new builds?

Not necessarily. The construction of qualifying new houses and flats can be zero-rated, provided the relevant conditions are met. However, not every project described as a “new build” qualifies for 0% VAT.

What VAT rate do builders charge?

Most construction work is subject to the standard 20% VAT rate. However, certain construction work can qualify for 0% or 5% VAT, depending on the type of building, the work being carried out and the customer’s circumstances.

Is VAT charged on plumbing and electrical work?

Usually, yes. Plumbing and electrical work will generally be subject to 20% VAT unless a specific VAT relief applies or the domestic reverse charge applies to the supply.

Is roofing work 20% VAT?

Most ordinary roofing repairs and replacement work will be subject to 20% VAT. However, the VAT treatment can differ where the work forms part of a qualifying construction project or involves qualifying energy-saving materials.

Is air conditioning installation 20% VAT?

Ordinary air-conditioning installation is generally subject to 20% VAT. However, certain air-source heat pumps can qualify for the current 0% VAT rate when the relevant conditions are met. These should not be confused with ordinary air-conditioning systems.

Is solar panel installation 0% VAT?

Qualifying solar panel installations in eligible residential accommodation can currently benefit from the 0% VAT rate in Great Britain, subject to the relevant conditions. The current 0% relief is due to run until 31 March 2027.

Does CIS mean I have to use the VAT reverse charge?

No. CIS and the VAT domestic reverse charge are separate rules. Most qualifying construction services reported under CIS will also fall within the reverse charge, but there are exceptions, including supplies to qualifying end users and intermediary suppliers.

Does the reverse charge apply to zero-rated work?

No. If a construction supply is genuinely zero-rated, there is no VAT to account for under the domestic reverse charge.

Can construction work be charged at 5% VAT?

Yes. Certain types of conversion, renovation and alteration work can qualify for the reduced 5% rate, as can certain qualifying energy-saving and heating installations. The specific conditions need to be checked before applying the reduced rate.

Do I charge VAT to a homeowner?

If you are VAT registered and carrying out standard-rated work for a homeowner, you would normally charge VAT at 20%.

However, certain work on domestic properties can qualify for 0% or 5% VAT depending on the circumstances.

The domestic reverse charge does not normally apply to a private homeowner because the homeowner will not be VAT registered.

What happens if I charge the wrong VAT rate?

Charging the wrong VAT rate can result in an incorrect VAT return and potentially leave your business having to correct the error or pay additional VAT.

If you are unsure about the VAT treatment of a particular construction project, it is better to check before issuing the invoice rather than trying to correct the VAT afterwards.

Need Help With Construction VAT?

VAT for construction businesses and related trades can be complicated, particularly when you are dealing with a combination of CIS, domestic reverse charge, zero-rated work and reduced-rate VAT.

Whether you are a general builder, electrician, carpenter, plumber, roofer, heating engineer or specialist installer, understanding the VAT treatment of your work can help you invoice your customers correctly and avoid unexpected VAT liabilities.

If you are unsure which VAT treatment applies to your work, feel free to contact JTR Accountancy below.

If you run a building or construction business, you may already know that the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is something you need to deal with when you work with subcontractors.

But CIS can be confusing, particularly for small building firms that find themselves working on both sides of the scheme.

You might be a subcontractor when a larger construction company engages your business, but a contractor when you bring in an electrician, plumber, plasterer or another specialist to work on one of your own projects.

This guide explains how CIS works, what your responsibilities are as a contractor and subcontractor, how CIS deductions are calculated, and some of the common mistakes to avoid.

Please note: CIS rules can be detailed, and whether a particular service or payment falls within the scheme depends on the circumstances. This guide is intended as a general overview rather than specific tax advice.

What is the Construction Industry Scheme?

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a tax scheme operated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for businesses and individuals working in the construction industry.

Under CIS, contractors deduct tax from certain payments made to subcontractors and pay those deductions to HMRC. The deductions are treated as advance payments towards the subcontractor’s tax and National Insurance.

The standard deduction rate is 20% for registered subcontractors.

If a subcontractor is not registered for CIS, or cannot be verified by HMRC, the contractor will normally have to deduct 30%.

Some subcontractors can apply for Gross Payment Status, which means contractors can pay them without making CIS deductions.

Does CIS apply to the work you’re paying for?

One of the first things a contractor needs to establish is whether the work they’re paying for actually falls within CIS.

This isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.

CIS covers a wide range of construction operations, including activities such as:

• Construction
• Alterations
• Repairs
• Extensions
• Demolition
• Dismantling
• Site preparation
• Painting and decorating
• Installation of certain systems

There are also services and circumstances that fall outside the scheme – see further information later in this article.

The contractor is responsible for deciding whether CIS applies

This is an important point that is sometimes misunderstood.

You should not simply rely on the subcontractor’s invoice, or whether they have included a CIS deduction on their invoice.

For example, a subcontractor might send you an invoice for:

“General building services – £3,000”

and make no reference to CIS.

That does not mean you can simply pay the £3,000 without considering CIS.

As the contractor, you need to establish:

• What work is being carried out?
• Does that work fall within CIS?
• Is the person or business genuinely a subcontractor rather than an employee?
• Has the subcontractor been correctly verified with HMRC?
• What CIS deduction rate applies?
• Which parts of the payment are subject to CIS?

The description on an invoice can be useful, but it does not determine the CIS treatment.

If you’re unsure whether a particular service or trade falls within CIS, contact us. We can help you establish whether CIS applies before you make the payment.

You can be both a contractor and a subcontractor

This is particularly important for small building firms.

Under CIS, the terms contractor and subcontractor describe the role your business is taking in a particular transaction. They don’t necessarily describe what your business is permanently.

For example, imagine you run a building company carrying out extensions and renovations.

A larger construction company might engage your business to carry out work on one of its projects. In that situation, you are their subcontractor.

You might then bring in a self-employed electrician to work on that project. In relation to the electrician, your business is the contractor.

So your business can be both a contractor and a subcontractor at the same time.

This means you may have CIS deducted from payments you receive, while also being responsible for deducting CIS from payments you make.

The responsibilities are different depending on which side of the transaction you are on.

CIS responsibilities for contractors

If your business pays subcontractors for construction work, you’ll generally need to register as a CIS contractor.

But being a CIS contractor involves more than simply registering with HMRC and deducting 20% from invoices.

You are responsible for making sure the CIS rules are applied correctly to the payments you make.

1. Determine whether CIS applies

Before making a payment, you need to establish whether the work you’re paying for falls within CIS.

This is the contractor’s responsibility.

Don’t assume that the subcontractor will tell you whether CIS applies. They may not mention CIS on their invoice, but that does not remove your responsibility to consider the rules.

HMRC’s guidance covers a wide range of construction operations, as well as specific examples of work that falls outside the scheme.

HMRC: Construction operations covered by CIS

CIS rules can be surprisingly detailed, particularly where a service sits close to the boundary between construction and non-construction work.

If you’re unsure whether a service you’re engaging falls within CIS, contact us and we can help you determine the correct treatment.

2. Check employment status

Once you’ve established that CIS potentially applies, you also need to consider whether the person you’re paying is genuinely self-employed.

CIS applies to subcontractors, not employees.

You cannot simply decide that someone is self-employed because they send you an invoice.

If the individual should actually be treated as an employee, they may need to be paid through PAYE instead.

This is particularly important because contractors have to make a declaration on their CIS return that they have considered the employment status of their subcontractors.

3. Verify the subcontractor

Before paying a new subcontractor, you will normally need to verify them with HMRC.

You’ll generally need information such as:

• Their Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
• National Insurance number, for sole traders
• Their legal or trading name
• Company details, if they operate through a limited company

HMRC will tell you whether the subcontractor is registered for CIS and which deduction rate applies.

The subcontractor will generally fall into one of three categories:

Gross: No CIS deduction
20%: Standard CIS deduction
30%: Higher CIS deduction where the subcontractor is not registered or cannot be verified

4. Calculate the correct CIS deduction

CIS is not simply 20% of the subcontractor’s entire invoice.

Certain amounts can be excluded from the calculation, most notably materials paid for directly by the subcontractor.

For example:

	Amount
Labour	£2,500
Materials	£500
Total invoice	£3,000

If the £500 materials qualify to be excluded from the CIS calculation:

£2,500 × 20% = £500 CIS deduction

The subcontractor would therefore receive:

£3,000 – £500 = £2,500

But don’t assume every expense is treated like materials

This is a common area of confusion.

Generally, qualifying materials can be excluded from the CIS calculation where the subcontractor has paid for them directly.

However, travel, accommodation and similar expenses are not automatically excluded simply because the subcontractor has listed them separately on their invoice.

For example, if a subcontractor invoices you for:

• Labour: £2,000
• Materials: £500
• Travel: £100

The qualifying £500 materials may be excluded, but the £100 travel charge will generally still form part of the amount subject to CIS.

So the CIS calculation would be based on:

£2,000 + £100 = £2,100

At 20%, the CIS deduction would be:

£2,100 × 20% = £420

This is an easy mistake to make when reviewing subcontractor invoices.

5. Give the subcontractor a deduction statement

Where CIS has been deducted, you need to provide the subcontractor with a payment and deduction statement.

The statement shows the payment made and the CIS deduction withheld.

The statement should normally be provided within 14 days of the end of the relevant CIS tax month.

These statements are important to the subcontractor because the CIS deductions need to be reflected in their own tax records. This is something that would be sent to your subcontractors by us if we are handling your CIS.

6. Submit your monthly CIS return

CIS returns are submitted to HMRC each month.

The CIS tax month runs from the 6th of one month to the 5th of the following month.

The return must normally reach HMRC by the 19th of the month following the end of the tax month.

For example:

6 May – 5 June → CIS return due by 19 June

You can submit your CIS return using HMRC’s online service or compatible commercial software.

If you haven’t made any payments to subcontractors during the month, you may still have an obligation to tell HMRC that you’ve made no payments, depending on the status of your CIS scheme.

Keeping your CIS records up to date throughout the month is much easier than trying to reconstruct everything at the deadline.

7. Pay the CIS deductions to HMRC

The CIS deductions you’ve made from subcontractors need to be paid to HMRC by the 22^nd of the month.

For example:

6 May – 5 June → CIS return due by 22 June

The deduction is effectively tax collected from the subcontractor at source.

It’s therefore important that the amounts deducted from subcontractors, reported on your CIS return and paid to HMRC all reconcile.

CIS responsibilities for subcontractors

If your construction business works for other contractors, you may be treated as a CIS subcontractor.

Your responsibilities are different from those of a contractor.

1. Register for CIS

Subcontractors don’t have to register for CIS, but if you don’t register, contractors will normally have to deduct CIS at 30% rather than the standard 20%.

Registering for CIS can therefore make a significant difference to your cash flow throughout the year.

2. Give your contractor the correct information

When you start working for a new contractor, make sure you provide the correct:

• Business or trading name
• Unique Taxpayer Reference
• National Insurance number if you are a sole trader
• Company details, if applicable

The details need to match HMRC’s records so that the contractor can verify you successfully.

If the information doesn’t match, the contractor may be unable to verify you and could have to deduct CIS at 30%.

Lots of subcontractors opt to include the above information on their sales invoices to avoid queries and speed up the verification and payment process.

3. Check your CIS deduction statements

Your contractor should provide you with statements showing the payments made to you and the CIS deductions withheld.

Keep these statements and check them against your accounting records.

The treatment of CIS suffered will depend on your business structure.

For example, a sole trader will generally claim the CIS deductions against their own tax and National Insurance liabilities, whereas a limited company can generally use CIS suffered against certain PAYE and other liabilities, subject to HMRC’s rules.

This is one reason why it’s important to make sure all CIS deductions suffered are properly recorded.

Gross Payment Status: could you qualify?

Some subcontractors can apply for Gross Payment Status (GPS).

If you’re granted Gross Payment Status, contractors can pay you without deducting CIS.

This doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay tax.

Instead, you receive your income gross and remain responsible for accounting for your own tax and National Insurance.

Before applying, it’s worth checking whether you meet HMRC’s qualifying conditions.

There are three main tests.

1. Business test

Your business must:

• Carry out construction work, or provide labour for construction work in the UK; and
• Operate through a bank account.

2. Turnover test

You need to meet HMRC’s minimum turnover requirements.

The standard net construction turnover thresholds are:

Business structure	Minimum net construction turnover
Sole trader	£30,000
Partnership	£30,000 per partner, or £100,000 for the partnership
Limited company	£30,000 per director, or £100,000 for the company

The turnover test is based on construction turnover excluding VAT and the cost of materials.

There are also alternative turnover tests in certain circumstances, so the figures above don’t cover every possible route to qualifying.

3. Compliance test

HMRC also needs to be satisfied that you’ve generally complied with your tax obligations.

This includes being up to date with relevant tax and National Insurance responsibilities and having submitted the required returns and payments.

All three tests need to be satisfied for Gross Payment Status to be granted.

If you’re considering applying for Gross Payment Status, we can help you review your position and check whether you appear to meet the relevant criteria before you apply.

CIS and VAT: don’t forget the domestic reverse charge

CIS and VAT are separate schemes, but they can both apply to the same subcontractor payment.

In certain circumstances, construction services between VAT-registered businesses are subject to the domestic reverse charge for construction services.

This means you may need to consider both:

• What CIS deduction should be made; and
• How VAT should be treated.

If this is something you would like us to assist you with please contact us.

CIS in practice: a worked example

Let’s put everything together.

Imagine your building company hires a self-employed plasterer.

Their invoice is:

	Amount
Labour	£2,500
Materials	£500
Travel	£100
Total invoice	£3,100

You’ve verified the subcontractor with HMRC and they’ve been confirmed as subject to the standard 20% CIS deduction.

Amount subject to CIS:

£2,500 labour + £100 travel = £2,600 (ignore materials)

CIS deduction:

£2,600 × 20% = £520

Amount paid to subcontractor:

£3,100 – £520 = £2,580

The £520 CIS deduction is then paid to HMRC and reported on your monthly CIS return.

The subcontractor’s gross income is still £3,100.

The £520 is a tax deduction at source, it isn’t a reduction in the value of the work they’ve invoiced you for.

Common CIS mistakes to avoid

Assuming the subcontractor will tell you whether CIS applies

It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine whether CIS applies. Don’t rely on the subcontractor mentioning CIS on their invoice.

Paying a subcontractor before verifying them

Make sure you’ve completed the necessary HMRC verification before making the payment.

Applying 20% to the entire invoice

Qualifying materials may be excluded from the calculation, so don’t automatically deduct CIS from the full invoice value.

Assuming every expense is excluded like materials

Travel, accommodation and similar expenses can still be subject to CIS.

Forgetting monthly CIS returns

CIS returns have strict monthly deadlines and penalties can apply if they’re late.

Assuming Gross Payment Status means no tax is payable

GPS simply means CIS isn’t deducted at source. The subcontractor is still responsible for paying their own tax.

Forgetting that your business can be both contractor and subcontractor

If you pay subcontractors but also carry out work for larger contractors, you may have responsibilities on both sides of CIS.

Forgetting about VAT

CIS deductions and the domestic reverse charge are separate rules. Both may need to be considered on the same transaction.

Frequently asked CIS questions

Do all construction businesses need to register for CIS?

Not necessarily.

If your business pays subcontractors for construction work, you’ll generally need to register as a contractor.

A business that only works as a subcontractor doesn’t have the same contractor registration obligation, although registering as a subcontractor is important if you want to avoid the higher 30% deduction rate.

Does CIS apply to limited companies?

Yes.

A subcontractor can be a limited company, as well as a sole trader or partnership.

The contractor will verify the company with HMRC and apply the appropriate CIS treatment.

Does CIS apply to every service provided by a construction business?

No.

CIS applies to particular types of construction operations, and there are circumstances where payments relating to construction businesses fall outside the scheme.

The contractor is responsible for determining whether CIS applies.

Do I deduct CIS from materials?

Generally, qualifying materials that the subcontractor has paid for directly can be excluded from the CIS calculation.

However, the rules are specific, and you shouldn’t automatically assume that every cost described as “materials” qualifies.

What about travel expenses?

Travel, accommodation and similar expenses can form part of the amount subject to CIS.

This is a common area of confusion because qualifying materials are treated differently from many other expenses.

If you’re unsure, check the treatment before making the payment.

What happens if I don’t register for CIS?

If you’re a subcontractor and don’t register, your contractor will generally have to deduct CIS at 30% rather than 20%.

Can I be both a contractor and a subcontractor?

Yes and this is very common for small building firms.

You might be a subcontractor when a larger construction company pays your business, but a contractor when your business pays an electrician, plumber, plasterer or another subcontractor.

How often do I submit a CIS return?

Contractors submit a CIS return every month.

The tax month runs from the 6th to the 5th of the following month, and the return must normally be submitted by the 19th.

Can my accountant deal with CIS for me?

Yes.

Depending on the services you agree with your accountant, they may be able to help with:

• Determining whether CIS applies
• Subcontractor verification
• CIS calculations
• Monthly CIS returns
• CIS deduction statements
• CIS suffered
• Gross Payment Status
• Related VAT issues
• General construction tax advice

For a small building firm, outsourcing CIS can take a significant amount of administration off your hands and reduce the risk of avoidable errors.

CIS support for construction businesses

Let’s be honest you didn’t get into construction because you love paperwork.

You’re busy managing jobs, dealing with customers, keeping projects moving and getting the work done. Keeping track of subcontractors, CIS deductions and monthly returns can feel like yet another job on the list.

That’s where we can help.

Whether you’re a small building firm, a specialist trade contractor, or a construction business that works both as a contractor and subcontractor, we can take the hassle out of your CIS responsibilities.

From checking whether CIS applies to a particular service, to verifying subcontractors, calculating deductions and submitting your monthly CIS returns, we’ll help make sure things are dealt with correctly and keep you on the right side of HMRC.

You focus on running your business. We’ll help with the paperwork.

For many business owners, the profit and loss (P&L) report is something that’s only looked at when it’s time to prepare accounts or submit a tax return. However, this financial report is one of the most valuable tools you have for understanding how your business is performing throughout the year.

A profit and loss report provides a clear summary of your income, expenses and, ultimately, whether your business has made a profit or a loss over a specific period. More importantly, it helps you identify trends, monitor spending and make informed decisions that can improve your business’s financial health.

Whether you’re a sole trader, a limited company director or just starting out, taking the time to understand your Profit and loss report can help you answer important questions such as:

• Is my business actually making money?
• Are my costs increasing faster than my sales?
• Can I afford to invest in new equipment or hire more staff?

In this guide, we’ll break down the key sections of a profit and loss report, explain what the figures really mean and show you how to use the information to make smarter business decisions.

What Is a Profit and Loss Report?

A profit and loss (P&L) report, sometimes referred to as an income statement, is a financial report that summarises your business’s income and expenses over a specific period, such as a month, quarter or financial year. Its purpose is to show whether your business has made a profit or incurred a loss during that time.

The report starts by showing the income your business has generated from sales or services. It then deducts the costs directly associated with producing those goods or services, often referred to as the cost of sales. Leaving you with the gross profit figure.

Next, the report subtracts your operating expenses, such as rent, utilities, insurance, marketing, wages and other day-to-day running costs. The figure that remains is your net profit (or net loss), which represents the overall financial performance of your business for that period.

Unlike a balance sheet, which provides a snapshot of what your business owns and owes at a particular point in time, a profit and loss report focuses on how your business has performed over a period.

Reviewing your profit and loss report regularly can help you identify trends and make better-informed business decisions before small issues become larger problems.

The Main Sections of a Profit and Loss Report Explained

A profit and loss report is made up of several key sections, each providing valuable insight into your business’s financial performance. Understanding what each section represents will help you interpret the figures with confidence and make more informed business decisions.

Income (Revenue)

Income, sometimes referred to as revenue or turnover, is the total amount your business earns from selling goods or providing services before any expenses are deducted.

For example, if your business invoices customers £50,000 over a three-month period, your income for that period is £50,000.

Monitoring your income over time can help you identify seasonal trends, measure business growth and assess whether your sales targets are being achieved.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales (also known as the cost of goods sold or direct costs) includes the expenses directly associated with delivering your products or services.

Examples include:

• Materials used to manufacture products
• Stock purchased for resale
• Direct labour costs
• Subcontractor fees
• Delivery costs directly linked to sales

These costs should typically increase or decrease in line with your sales.

Gross Profit

Gross profit is the amount remaining after your cost of sales has been deducted from your income.

Gross Profit = Income – Cost of Sales

For example:

Income: £50,000

Cost of Sales: £10,000

Subcontractors: £10,000

Gross Profit: £30,000

Your gross profit shows how efficiently your business generates profit from its core activities before taking into account the everyday costs of running the business.

Overheads (Operating Expenses)

Overheads are the ongoing costs of running your business that are not directly linked to producing your goods or services.

Common overheads include:

• Rent and business rates
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Office supplies
• Marketing and advertising
• Professional fees
• Telephone and internet
• Software subscriptions
• Salaries and wages
• Vehicle expenses

Keeping overheads under control is essential. Even if your sales are increasing, rising overheads can reduce your overall profitability.

Net Profit

Net profit is often referred to as your “bottom line.” This is the amount left after all business expenses have been deducted from your income.

Net Profit = Gross Profit – Overheads (and any other business expenses)

A positive net profit means your business has earned more than it has spent during the reporting period. A net loss means your expenses exceeded your income.

While it’s important to look at your net profit, it’s equally valuable to understand how you arrived at that figure. By reviewing each section of your profit and loss report regularly, you can identify where your business is performing well and where improvements can be made.

Common Mistakes When Reading a Profit and Loss Report

A profit and loss report can provide valuable insights into your business’s financial performance, but only if it’s interpreted correctly. Many business owners make decisions based on a quick glance at the figures without considering the full picture. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid.

Focusing Only on the Bottom Line

While net profit is an important figure, it shouldn’t be the only number you pay attention to. A healthy-looking profit can sometimes hide rising costs or declining sales, while a temporary loss may simply reflect a planned change in your business.

Looking at each section of your P&L report helps you understand why your business has made a profit or loss, rather than just the final result.

Confusing Profit with Cash

One of the biggest misconceptions is believing that a profitable business will always have plenty of cash available. A profit and loss report records income and expenses, but it doesn’t show when money is received or paid.

For example, you may have issued invoices that haven’t yet been paid by customers. On paper, your business may be profitable, but your bank account may tell a different story. This is why it’s important to review your cash flow alongside your P&L report.

Ignoring Trends

A single month’s results don’t always tell the whole story. Comparing your profit and loss reports over several months or against the same period in previous years can reveal valuable trends.

Regular comparisons can help you identify:

• Increasing overheads
• Declining sales
• Seasonal fluctuations
• Improving profit margins

Spotting these trends early gives you the opportunity to take action before they become bigger problems.

Not Reviewing Expenses Regularly

Small increases in business expenses can go unnoticed if you’re only reviewing your accounts at year-end. Regularly checking your overheads can help you identify subscriptions you no longer use, rising supplier costs or areas where spending can be reduced or completely stopped.

How often should you review your profit and loss report?

Reviewing your profit and loss report shouldn’t be something that’s reserved for the end of the financial year. The more regularly you review it, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions and respond quickly to changes in your business.

For most businesses, reviewing your P&L report every month is a good habit to develop. Monthly reviews allow you to:

• Monitor your income and expenses.
• Identify unusual spending or unexpected drops in sales.
• Track your progress against budgets and business goals.
• Spot trends before they become larger issues.
• Make timely decisions to improve profitability.

If your business is growing rapidly or operates in a fast-moving industry, you may benefit from reviewing your figures even more frequently. On the other hand, smaller businesses with fewer transactions may find that quarterly reviews are sufficient, although waiting until year-end is rarely advisable.

By making your profit and loss report a regular part of your business review, you’ll gain a much clearer understanding of your financial performance and be in a stronger position to plan for the future.

How JTR Accountancy Can Help You

Understanding your profit and loss report is an important step towards making informed business decisions, but it’s only one part of managing your finances effectively. At JTR Accountancy, we work closely with businesses throughout the year, helping them understand their financial performance, plan for the future and identify opportunities for growth.

Whether you need support with your accounts, taxation, bookkeeping or wider business advice, JTR Accountancy is here to provide practical guidance tailored to your business.

If you’d like to learn more about your Profit and Loss, get in touch with us today.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is one of the biggest changes to the UK tax system in recent years. Following the introduction of MTD for VAT, HMRC is now expanding the initiative to include Income Tax, meaning many self-employed individuals and landlords will need to keep digital records and submit updates using compatible accounting software.

For many taxpayers, this will mean moving away from spreadsheets and manual record-keeping in favour of cloud-based accounting software. At JTR Accountancy, we recommend Xero as the ideal solution and provide a complete Making Tax Digital service to ensure clients remain compliant with HMRC requirements.

What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for IT) is HMRC’s initiative designed to modernise the tax system and make it easier for individuals to manage their tax affairs.

Under the new rules, affected taxpayers will be required to:

• Keep digital records of income and expenses
• Use compatible software to maintain those records
• Submit quarterly updates to HMRC
• Complete an end of year declaration.

The aim is to reduce errors, improve accuracy, and provide taxpayers with a clearer picture of their tax position throughout the year avoiding surprises at the year-end.

Who Will Be Affected and When?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being introduced in stages based on an individual’s total annual income from self-employment and property, with the first stage already in full swing.

The current timetable is:

From April 2026 – Individuals who had a qualifying income over £50,000 on their 2024/25 tax return.

From April 2027 – The threshold reduces to £30,000.

From April 2028 – The threshold reduces further to £20,000.

Although some taxpayers may not be affected immediately, preparing early can make the transition much smoother. Moving to cloud accounting software now gives you time to become familiar with the system and establish efficient record-keeping processes before compliance becomes mandatory.

At JTR Accountancy, we are already helping businesses, landlords, and self-employed individuals across Gloucester and the surrounding areas prepare for Making Tax Digital. By implementing Xero and providing ongoing support, we help clients stay compliant while gaining better visibility over their finances.

Why Accountancy Software is Essential

MTD for Income Tax cannot be managed using traditional paper records alone. Businesses and individuals affected by the rules will need compatible accounting software to maintain digital records and submit information to HMRC.

The right software offers benefits beyond compliance, including:

• Reduced manual administration
• Improved accuracy
• Real-time financial information
• Easier expense tracking

Rather than seeing MTD as an additional burden, many businesses are using it as an opportunity to modernise their bookkeeping processes.

Why We Recommend Xero

At JTR Accountancy, we recommend Xero because it combines ease of use with powerful accounting functionality.

Xero enables clients to:

• Keep compliant digital records
• Submit information in line with MTD requirements
• Connect bank accounts through automated bank feeds
• Create and track invoices
• Manage expenses efficiently
• Access financial information anytime, anywhere

As a cloud-based platform, Xero also allows seamless collaboration between you and your accountant, ensuring records remain accurate and up to date throughout the year.

How JTR Accountancy Can Help

Implementing Making Tax Digital involves more than simply purchasing software. Many taxpayers need support setting up systems, maintaining records, understanding reporting requirements, and ensuring ongoing compliance.

That’s where JTR Accountancy can help.

Our Making Tax Digital service includes:

• Xero setup and onboarding
• Migration from spreadsheets or existing systems
• Ongoing bookkeeping support
• Quarterly MTD submissions
• Year-end reporting and compliance
• Dedicated support

We take care of the technical and compliance aspects so you can focus on running your business.

Don’t Leave MTD Until the Last Minute

The transition to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax represents a significant change for many taxpayers. Taking action now will give you time to implement the right systems, understand your obligations, and avoid unnecessary stress when the rules apply to you.

At JTR Accountancy, we can help you prepare for MTD, set up Xero correctly, and manage your ongoing reporting requirements with confidence.

If you’d like to learn more about Making Tax Digital for Income Tax or discuss how Xero could benefit your business, get in touch with our team today.

We’re delighted to welcome you to the new JTR Accountancy website.

As a modern accountancy practice supporting businesses and individuals across Gloucestershire and the UK, we’ve launched our new website to make it easier for clients to learn about our services and access the support they need.

At JTR Accountancy, we provide professional accountancy services including bookkeeping, VAT, company accounts, taxation, CIS support and self-assessment tax returns. We work with a wide range of clients, from self-employed individuals and sole traders to limited companies and growing businesses.

We also have extensive experience supporting businesses within the construction industry, helping contractors, subcontractors and tradespeople manage their finances, remain compliant and focus on growing their businesses.

Our new website includes information about our core services, the sectors we support and answers to some of the most common questions we receive from clients. Whether you’re looking for help with your tax return, bookkeeping support, company accounts or ongoing business advice, we’re here to help.

Based in Gloucestershire and working with clients throughout the UK, our goal is to provide straightforward accountancy advice, clear communication and reliable support throughout the year.

We look forward to working with both new and existing clients and sharing further updates, business tips and accountancy insights through our blog in the future.

If you’d like to discuss your accounting requirements, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.