If you’re a limited company operating under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and struggling to get your CIS tax refund, you’re not alone. Many business owners face long delays and frustrating back-and-forth with HMRC when trying to reclaim tax that’s rightfully theirs. In this article, we walk you through a clear and proven method to get your refund faster and with fewer issues.
Why CIS Refunds Are Delayed
Each year, thousands of contractors submit their CIS tax reclaims, only to receive less than expected or face lengthy processing times. One of the biggest reasons? HMRC records often don’t match what you believe you’re owed.
For example, let’s say:
- You were deducted £20,000 in CIS tax by clients.
- You deducted £5,000 from subcontractors.
- You owe £5,000 in Corporation Tax.
You should be owed a £10,000 refund. But HMRC might come back months later claiming only £14,000 was deducted from you — reducing your refund to just £4,000.
Don’t Just Accept HMRC’s Response — Challenge It
It’s common to receive underpaid refunds. But the key is: don’t just accept the first letter from HMRC. You can contest it — and many businesses do so successfully.
Here’s how to build a solid claim HMRC will accept.
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your CIS Refund Properly
- Gather All Your CIS Deduction Statements
These come from clients and show what’s been deducted from your payments. - Print Your Bank Statements
Yes, in 2025 still print them! You’ll need to highlight all relevant transactions from 6 April to 5 April of the tax year. - Print All Your Invoices
Cross-reference each one with payments received in your bank. Write the invoice number next to each payment and circle them for clarity. - Create a Spreadsheet Summary
Include:
- Total received
- CIS deducted
- Materials costs
- Net and gross values
- Corroborate Everything
Match each client payment with its invoice and CIS deduction. Be detailed and organised. - Write a Cover Letter
This should explain:
- How much CIS you’ve reclaimed
- What has already been offset (Corporation Tax, PAYE/CIS due)
- How much remains and what you expect to be refunded
- A list of supporting documents enclosed
- Send It Off — But Be Smart About It
- Scan everything into one PDF
- Send it recorded delivery
- Keep proof of postage and signed receipt
Even though you may have already submitted your CIS refund via the online EPS (Employer Payment Summary), following this manual process often leads to faster and more complete payouts. In fact, for many firms, the manual route succeeds where the online claim fails.
Why It Matters
Tax is high enough — you shouldn’t lose out because of admin errors or mismatched records. CIS refunds can be worth thousands of pounds, and it’s worth the effort to get it right.
Yes, it’s time-consuming. Yes, it involves printing and paperwork. But if it means recovering thousands you’re owed, it’s more than worth it.
Final Tips
- Double-check your CIS return periods (they run from the 6th to the 5th each month).
- Avoid errors in invoice dates and materials deductions.
- Always scan and back up your entire claim file before posting.
- Don’t give up — many claims are only paid correctly after a formal challenge.
Need Help With Your CIS Refund?
We help dozens of limited company clients every year navigate this process. If you’re unsure or struggling, feel free to reach out. We’re happy to take it off your plate.