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CIS refund calculator

See roughly how much tax you could get back from your CIS deductions. The result is an example only and needs to be reviewed by us before any claim. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Step 1 · The year

Step 2 · What you invoiced

Rate the contractor deducted

Paid gross, with nothing deducted? There is no refund to calculate, because no tax was taken off. You pay your whole tax bill through your return, so ask us for a tax estimate instead.

Step 3 · Your business costs for the year

Everything else covers PPE and workwear, phone, insurance, CSCS cards and training, subscriptions and accountancy fees.

The figures filled in are an example. Type over them with your own.

How it works

Why so many subcontractors are owed money

Contractors take 20% off your labour before they pay you. That's worked out on your gross labour, before your costs and before your personal allowance of £12,570.

Once your tax return is done, the tax and National Insurance you actually owe is often less than what was taken. HMRC pays back the difference, but only when a return claims it.

You can claim for up to four years back. More about CIS refunds

What this estimate assumes

  • You're a self-employed sole traderNot a limited company, where CIS is reclaimed through payroll instead
  • CIS was your only incomeA job, pension, rental income or benefits will change the result
  • You live in England, Wales or Northern IrelandScottish income tax rates are different
  • Standard tax ratesPersonal allowance £12,570, income tax 20%, 40% and 45%, Class 4 National Insurance 6% and 2%
  • No student loan, pension contributions or Marriage AllowanceThese can raise or lower what you owe