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CIS and VAT for construction that finds money left at HMRC

CIS and VAT for construction should show whether subcontractor deductions, VAT returns and the HMRC portal agree. We check the history before another return repeats the problem.

A construction company had borrowed to cover costs while its own money sat at HMRC. The cause was years of incorrect CIS and VAT returns. The first meeting exposed what routine filing had missed.

CIS returns checkedVAT history reviewed
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Fiscal Umbrella handles CIS and VAT for established construction limited companies around Luton. Fixed fees are agreed in writing. Its construction service checks past filings, corrects CIS and VAT, and can arrange discounted Croner help with HR, contracts and safety policies.

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I was stuck with my R&D claim, but Fiscal Umbrella helped me navigate it smoothly. They're professional, efficient, and truly know their stuff.… Cartel Media
CIS and VAT for construction: example CIS monthly check Construction companies

The return was filed, so where did the money go?

5.0 · Luton officeCheck if you fit
  • Fasih Khan ACCA
  • Fixed fees in writing
  • Luton office
  • UK-wide remote

What changes after CIS and VAT are checked

01

See what HMRC actually holds

The portal is checked against CIS deductions and submitted VAT returns.

02

Stop repeating an old filing error

Corrections are ordered before the next return carries the same mistake forward.

03

Prepare for larger contract checks

HR, employment contracts and safety policies can be put in place through discounted Croner access.

Where CIS and VAT errors first show up

The problem often appears when cash is needed or a larger contract asks harder questions.

  • CIS

    “We kept filing CIS returns, but nobody checked whether the deductions matched the HMRC portal.”

    A submitted return can still leave an unexplained balance. That balance needs tracing before more returns are added.

  • VAT

    “We borrowed to cover costs while money we believed was ours stayed with HMRC.”

    A loan covered costs while the company’s own money remained at HMRC. Incorrect CIS and VAT returns had built up over several years.

  • Audit

    “A larger contract needed us audit ready, and our employment contracts and safety policies were still missing.”

    Missing documents can hold up year-end preparation and work on larger projects.

  • Day 90

    What changes once construction advice is in the room

    CIS deductions are checked against the portal. VAT errors are corrected before they repeat. HR, contracts and safety policies are brought into order for year end.

Quick check · no email

If your accountant cannot explain your CIS balance, confirm your VAT treatment and get back to you this week, you have the wrong accountant

Answer these three questions about the accountant handling your construction company today.

Question 1 of 3

Could they tell you this week whether your CIS deductions match HMRC?

What routine construction filing can leave unanswered

Regular returns matter, but each submission should agree with the subcontractor records and HMRC portal.

A filing service

CIS returns are submitted each month.

VAT returns are filed from the available books.

The HMRC portal is left unchecked.

HR documents sit outside the accounting work.

CIS and VAT reviewed together

Subcontractors are verified before returns are prepared.

Past CIS deductions are matched to HMRC.

VAT errors are traced and corrected.

Discounted Croner access covers HR, contracts and safety policies.

Eight checks before the next return is filed

Each answer shows whether the current setup is protecting company cash or repeating an old mistake.

  • 01

    Are new subcontractors verified before they are paid?

    Verification determines the correct CIS treatment from the start.

  • 02

    Do monthly CIS returns match the subcontractor records?

    Differences should be resolved before submission.

  • 03

    Do recorded deductions match the HMRC portal?

    An unexplained balance may point to missing or incorrect returns.

  • 04

    Have past VAT returns been checked for repeated errors?

    A recurring mistake can carry into every later return.

  • 05

    Are retentions recorded consistently in the books?

    The records should follow the way the company invoices and gets paid.

  • 06

    Does bookkeeping software support the way the company trades?

    The software must produce records that support CIS and VAT filings.

  • 07

    Do payroll records agree with the accounting records?

    Connected records should tell the same story at year end.

  • 08

    Are employment contracts and safety policies in place?

    These documents may be needed when larger projects review the company.

What the construction work covers after the review

The scope follows the problems found in the portal, returns and supporting records.

CIS

Subcontractors and returns checked

Verification, monthly returns and recorded deductions are checked against HMRC.

VAT

Old errors traced before they repeat

Past VAT returns are reviewed and required corrections are prepared within the agreed scope.

Croner

Contracts and policies ready for scrutiny

Discounted Croner access can cover HR, employment contracts and safety policies.

All Services →

Entry 01

What one HMRC portal check uncovered

A construction company had filed for years while its own money remained out of reach.

FigureOver £100kstuck at HMRC after years of wrong returns
Found byThe CIS and VAT history was checked against the company’s HMRC portal in the first meeting.
ResultThe filings were put right, and recovery work began.
AlsoCIS and VAT were reviewed together because errors in either return can leave company money at HMRC.
Entry 02Audit readywith HR, contracts and safety policies in place
Found byA discounted Croner subscription was arranged for the construction company.
ResultThe required HR documents and safety policies were put in place for year end.

What clients say

I was stuck with my R&D claim, but Fiscal Umbrella helped me navigate it smoothly. They're professional, efficient, and truly know their stuff. Highly recommended
Cartel Media · Google review · a year ago
Excellent service! The team is professional, responsive, and always helpful. My payments are always on time, and they make everything easy to understand. Highly recommend Fiscal Umbrella Accountants!
faisal jalal · Google review · a year ago
The team at Fiscal Umbrella has been amazing—professional, efficient, and always supportive. I trust them completely with my finances. Highly recommend!
Muskan Mattu · Google review · a year ago

How old returns are put right, and what comes first

The work starts with the portal and ends with regular filings based on the corrected position.

Before day one

The problem is identified

Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation and, if there is a fit, the free review.

Day 30

The handover has an owner

We request records from the current accountant and agree who handles each filing.

Day 60

The corrections have an order

Past CIS and VAT returns are checked, with the oldest unresolved errors traced first.

Day 90

Future returns follow the corrected position

Subcontractor records, VAT work and the HMRC portal are kept on the same basis.

Who should take the CIS and VAT check

Your business must be a limited company working in construction or trades.

The service is for larger construction companies around Luton and the surrounding counties.

You must be willing to use the bookkeeping and payroll software we recommend.

We do not take on sole traders, partnerships, transport firms or businesses shopping only on price.

If the fit is uncertain, the intake quiz will give you a personalised recommendation.

Questions construction directors ask before switching

What does the monthly fee for CIS and VAT for construction include?

The scope depends on your subcontractors, VAT position and the condition of past filings. It can include CIS verification, monthly returns, VAT returns, bookkeeping, payroll and agreed HMRC correspondence. Your responsibilities and the fixed fee are written down before work starts. Anything outside that scope is discussed first.

Can Fiscal Umbrella check our CIS and VAT if we already have an accountant?

You can keep your current accountant while the CIS and VAT check is completed. If gaps appear, you decide whether a switch makes sense. Fiscal Umbrella can then request the records and handle professional clearance. You do not need to manage conversations between both firms.

Do we have to move our construction company onto new accounting software?

We review the software already used for bookkeeping, payroll and CIS before recommending a change. A move is needed when the current setup cannot support correct filing. Construction clients must be willing to use the software we recommend. Training and setup are included where agreed.

What happens with our current accountant if we decide to switch?

Fiscal Umbrella contacts your current accountant, requests the records and handles professional clearance. Filing responsibilities are agreed so deadlines do not fall between firms. You receive a written scope before work begins. It identifies regular work and any separate CIS or VAT corrections.

How are old CIS and VAT errors corrected?

We start with the HMRC portal, submitted returns and recorded subcontractor deductions. Each difference is traced before a correction is prepared. VAT returns are checked alongside CIS because one error can hide another. HMRC correspondence is then handled within the agreed scope.

Can you help a construction company become audit ready?

Fiscal Umbrella can arrange discounted Croner access for construction clients. It covers HR, employment contracts and safety policies that may be needed for larger projects and year-end checks. The accounting work also puts CIS and VAT records in order, so supporting documents match the filings.