What Is CIS Registered

Learn what it means to be CIS registered, who needs to register under the Construction Industry Scheme, and how to stay compliant with HMRC.

What Is CIS Registered?

If you work in the UK construction industry, you may have heard people talk about being “CIS registered.” Whether you're a sole trader, limited company or contractor, understanding what this means can help you stay compliant and get paid correctly.

In this article, we explain what being CIS registered means, who it applies to, how to register, and why it’s important for managing tax under the Construction Industry Scheme.

What Does It Mean to Be CIS Registered?

To be CIS registered means you are officially enrolled in HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) as either a contractor or a subcontractor.

  • A contractor is a business or individual who hires subcontractors to carry out construction work

  • A subcontractor is a person or company that carries out construction work for a contractor

The scheme is designed to reduce tax evasion in the construction sector by ensuring that tax is deducted at source from subcontractor payments.

Why Does CIS Registration Matter?

If you’re working as a subcontractor and are not registered under CIS, contractors are required to deduct 30 percent tax from your payments. If you are CIS registered, that deduction is reduced to 20 percent.

In addition, contractors must be registered so they can submit CIS returns, verify subcontractors, and pay deductions to HMRC.

Being CIS registered allows you to:

  • Get paid with lower tax deductions

  • Track deductions made by contractors

  • Reclaim overpaid tax through Self Assessment or Corporation Tax

  • Build trust with clients and contractors by proving your compliance

Who Needs to Register?

You must register for CIS if you are:

  • A contractor who pays subcontractors for construction work

  • A subcontractor who is paid by contractors for doing construction work

  • Both a contractor and subcontractor (in which case you must register for both roles)

This applies whether you are a:

  • Sole trader

  • Limited company

  • Partnership

Construction work includes building, decorating, demolition, repairs, electrical installation, groundwork and more.

How to Register for CIS

If You Are a Sole Trader (Self-Employed)

  1. Register for Self Assessment with HMRC if you have not already

  2. Wait to receive your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

  3. Register for CIS by calling HMRC on 0300 200 3210 or online via your Government Gateway account

You will need your:

  • Name

  • National Insurance number

  • UTR

  • Business name (if applicable)

  • Bank account details

If You Run a Limited Company

  1. Register your company with Companies House and HMRC for Corporation Tax

  2. Once you receive your company UTR, log in to your HMRC Business Tax Account

  3. Add CIS as a service

  4. Complete the registration process as a subcontractor or contractor (or both)

What Happens After You Register?

Once you are CIS registered:

  • Contractors must verify subcontractors with HMRC and submit monthly returns

  • Subcontractors will be verified by contractors and will be subject to 20 percent deductions rather than 30 percent

  • You will start receiving CIS deduction statements from contractors showing the tax deducted from each payment

These deductions are passed to HMRC and counted as advance payments towards your tax bill.

If you are a limited company, you can reclaim these deductions through your PAYE system. If you are self-employed, you reclaim through your Self Assessment tax return.

Can You Register for Gross Payment Status?

Yes. If you are CIS registered as a subcontractor and meet certain conditions, you can apply for gross payment status. This means you are paid in full, with no deductions, and settle your tax bill through your annual return.

To qualify, you must:

  • Be based in the UK

  • Have a good tax record

  • Meet a minimum turnover requirement

  • Operate a bank account in the business name

Gross payment status improves cash flow but requires you to stay fully compliant with HMRC deadlines and payment requirements.

Final Thoughts

Being CIS registered means you are officially part of the Construction Industry Scheme, either as a contractor or subcontractor. Registration ensures that tax deductions are handled correctly and allows subcontractors to avoid higher deductions from their payments.

If you work in the construction sector, registering for CIS is essential for staying compliant, protecting your income, and building credibility with clients and contractors.