Question 1

Do I need a CIS accountant based in Bristol to claim my refund?

Accepted Answer

No. We act for Bristol and South West subcontractors entirely remotely. There are no local office visits required: you share your deduction statements and expense information with us online and we file your self-assessment return digitally. We cover Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Gloucester, Swindon, Taunton and the wider South West.

Question 2

How much CIS refund does a Bristol subcontractor typically get?

Accepted Answer

The illustrative average is around £2,000 for a registered subcontractor with a full year of CIS deductions. Bristol trades working on schemes like Temple Quarter or Temple Island often have significant tool, PPE and travel expenses, all of which reduce taxable profit and increase the refund. Clients who have not claimed for several years are often entitled to a combined figure across up to four prior tax years that is substantially higher.

Question 3

Does CIS apply to work on the Temple Quarter or Temple Island projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both are standard CIS-qualifying construction contracts. If Sir Robert McAlpine or a sub-agent deducted 20% from your labour payments on the Temple Quarter campus, or if you receive payments on the Temple Island scheme when it moves into main construction, those deductions count toward your annual refund calculation via self-assessment.

Question 4

What expenses can a Bristol CIS subcontractor claim?

Accepted Answer

Mileage at 55p per mile from 6 April 2026 is generally the largest claim for most Bristol trades, particularly those travelling from Keynsham, Yate, Clevedon or Weston-super-Mare to city-centre sites. Tools, PPE, work clothing, professional subscriptions and the business proportion of your phone are also allowable. We identify and document every legitimate expense before submitting your return.

Question 5

I am a sole trader plumber or electrician in Bristol. Does CIS apply to all my jobs?

Accepted Answer

CIS applies when you are paid by a contractor (not an end-user homeowner directly) for qualifying construction work. If you work on commercial or residential development sites for main contractors or Tier 2 contractors, CIS almost certainly applies and deductions are being made. Private domestic work paid directly by homeowners is outside CIS. If you are unsure whether your work falls within CIS, call us for a free assessment.

Question 6

What is the CIS deduction rate and how does the refund work?

Accepted Answer

Registered subcontractors are deducted at 20% on the labour element of their invoices. The materials portion is excluded from the deduction base. At year end you file a self-assessment return that sets your allowable expenses and personal allowance against your gross income, which almost always results in the actual tax owed being less than the total CIS deducted during the year. HMRC repays the difference, typically within 5 to 10 working days of the return being processed. The average illustrative refund is around £2,000 though the actual amount varies by income and expenses.

CIS accountants in Bristol

The Bristol construction scene

Major construction projects in Bristol

Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus (Sir Robert McAlpine)

Temple Island (Legal and General, £350m)

Bristol Temple Meads Eastern Entrance

Temple Quarter masterplan (Muse, 10,000 homes)

Trades we support in Bristol

CIS questions from Bristol contractors

Talk to a CIS specialist in Bristol

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