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Specialist accountants for roofers.

Roofing subcontractors work almost exclusively under CIS contracts, making the tax refund position particularly relevant. Tiles, slates, felt, battens, lead, guttering: materials costs are a significant proportion of roofing work and should all be excluded from the CIS deduction base. If your main contractor is not splitting this correctly, you are overpaying.

20%
Deducted on labour payments
~£2,000
Average first-year CIS refund
£30,000
GPS turnover threshold (net of materials)

What makes roofers accounting different.

High materials costs excluded from CIS

Roofing involves significant materials supply: tiles, slates, felt, battens, ridge tiles, lead, guttering, fixings. All of these are excluded from the CIS deduction base. If a main contractor applies the 20% rate to your full invoice rather than just the labour element, the overpayment can be substantial across a full year's work.

Working at height: PPE and equipment

Scaffolding hire charges passed on to the main contractor should be excluded from the deduction base. PPE (helmets, harnesses, safety boots) and working-at-height equipment you purchase for your own use are allowable expenses against your income.

Seasonal income patterns and cash flow

Roofing income is often seasonal, with stronger earnings in summer months and gaps in winter. We plan around these patterns, ensuring your CIS refund claim is timed correctly and your payment on account obligations are managed to avoid large January tax bills.

What we do for roofers.

CIS refund claim

We review every deduction statement, check the materials split, account for all allowable expenses including scaffolding hire, PPE and van costs, and submit your Self Assessment claim.

Gross payment status

Roofers with over £30,000 of net CIS turnover can apply for GPS and receive gross payments. We manage the application and the quarterly compliance checks that keep the status active.

Annual accounts and compliance

Annual Self Assessment, income and expense records, Making Tax Digital preparation. We handle all your compliance obligations so you can focus on the work.

Three years of filing my own returns and I never got the materials split right. First year with a proper CIS accountant and the refund was four times what I had been getting.
Self-employed roofer, Midlands

Composite snapshot based on client patterns. Name and figures anonymised. The tax mechanics are real.

Questions from roofers

I supply all the materials for roofing jobs. My contractor takes 20% off the full invoice. What can I do?
Your contractor should be splitting the invoice into materials and labour before applying the deduction. The 20% rate applies only to the labour element. You can raise this with your contractor directly. Even if they do not correct it going forward, any overpayment from previous jobs is recoverable through your Self Assessment return.
How long does it take to receive a CIS refund?
HMRC typically processes a CIS refund within 8 to 12 weeks of receiving a correctly filed Self Assessment return. Complex cases or amended returns can take longer. We submit accurately and follow up with HMRC if there are delays.

Talk to a specialist roofers accountant

Book a free call. We will talk through your CIS position, your deduction history and whether there is anything worth changing. No hard sell, no obligation.

Specialist in CIS and construction accounting, not a generalist practice
24-hour response guarantee
Fixed fees, quoted before we start

Book your free call

We respond within 24 hours and store your details securely.