Construction & Engineering Business Tax & Accountancy Services

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

Construction and engineering finances have rules of their own. At TaxDigit, chartered certified accountants in Guildford, Surrey, our construction accountants support building contractors, subcontractors, civil and structural engineering firms, electricians, plumbers, groundworkers, developers and trades businesses across the UK.

From Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) registration, verification and monthly returns to the VAT domestic reverse charge, retentions, work-in-progress and long-term contract accounting, we keep your compliance tight and your cash flow visible — on every project, every month.

The problems we solve for you

Margins in construction are won or lost in the detail. We keep the detail right.

• CIS headaches — contractor and subcontractor registration, verification, monthly CIS returns and reclaiming CIS deductions.
• Reverse-charge VAT confusion — invoices, returns and software set up correctly for the domestic reverse charge.
• Unclear project profitability — job costing, work-in-progress and retentions tracked so you know which contracts make money.
• Gross payment status — applications and compliance reviews so deductions stop eating your cash flow.

Why construction firms choose TaxDigit

We understand site life and head-office pressure alike — and we build reporting that works for both.

• Hands-on CIS experience for contractors, subcontractors and developers.
• R&D tax relief claims for engineering design and technical problem-solving.
• Cloud bookkeeping and payroll that cope with mixed workforces — PAYE, CIS and self-employed.
• Chartered certified accountants serving Guildford, Surrey, London and the whole UK.

Accountancy built on solid foundations

Whether you are a one-van subcontractor reclaiming CIS deductions or an engineering company running multi-year contracts, TaxDigit delivers bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and CIS, corporation tax, management accounts and tax planning as one joined-up service.

Who we help

• Building contractors and subcontractors — CIS, gross payment status and cash-flow planning.
• Civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering firms — long-term contract accounting and R&D relief.
• Electricians, plumbers, roofers, groundworkers and specialist trades.
• Property developers and design-and-build companies — project finance, VAT on land and buildings, and SDLT awareness.
• Architects, surveyors and construction consultants.

Frequently asked questions

Do you handle CIS registration and monthly returns?

Yes — we register contractors and subcontractors, verify subcontractors, file monthly CIS300 returns and make sure deductions are correct and reclaimed promptly.

How does the VAT domestic reverse charge affect my invoices?

For most supplies between VAT-registered construction businesses, the customer accounts for the VAT. We set up your invoicing and software so every invoice is worded and coded correctly.

Can I get my CIS deductions refunded?

Subcontractor companies offset CIS deductions against PAYE and reclaim any surplus after year-end; sole traders reclaim through self-assessment. We chase every pound back.

Can engineering firms claim R&D tax relief?

Often, yes — resolving technical uncertainty in design, materials or processes can qualify. We prepare robust, defensible claims under the merged R&D scheme.

Does CIS apply to an overseas contractor or subcontractor working in the UK?

Yes. The Construction Industry Scheme applies to construction operations carried out in the UK regardless of where the contractor or subcontractor is based. An overseas company doing UK construction work is treated as a subcontractor and, if it pays others for construction work, as a contractor too. HMRC has a dedicated registration route for non-resident companies. Until it registers, 30% is deducted from the labour element of its payments; after registration 20%; with gross payment status 0%.

Can a non-resident company get CIS gross payment status?

Yes, where it passes the same business, turnover and compliance tests as a UK company. HMRC accepts applications from overseas subcontractors seeking gross payment status, including on the restored paper CIS305 route for overseas businesses. We prepare the application and the evidence, and keep the compliance record clean so the status is not withdrawn at the annual review.

Our engineers are posted to a UK site from Poland or Slovenia. What UK taxes apply?

Three separate questions. Income tax: under the UK treaties with Poland and Slovenia the employee stays taxable at home if they are in the UK for no more than 183 days in any twelve-month period, the employer is not UK resident and the pay is not borne by a UK permanent establishment. Social security: a posting of up to 2 years can remain in the home scheme with a PDA1 certificate of coverage. Company tax: a building site or installation project becomes a permanent establishment only if it lasts more than twelve months. We map all three before the project starts.

Does an overseas installer need to register for UK VAT?

A business with no UK establishment is a non-established taxable person and has no UK VAT registration threshold, so registration can be required from the first taxable supply. If the customer is UK VAT-registered and the work is reported under CIS, the domestic reverse charge usually applies instead and the customer accounts for the VAT. We confirm which rule applies before the first invoice.

Overseas contractors and installers planning a UK project can also read our guides for Polish companies and Slovenian companies delivering projects in the UK, and our UK business expansion page.