QuiboCIS subbies in Durham: that 20% isn't your tax bill
Scaffolder, plasterer, window fitter: if CIS came off your labour, you've likely overpaid. Check what you're owed in 60 seconds, free.
- Conservative, accountant-set rules
- Fixed fee
- Refund to your account
- Free to check
What subcontractors can claim
The everyday costs of being on the tools come off your taxable profit, and most of these get missed. That’s where your refund hides.
Van, fuel & mileage
Running a van for work, or mileage if you use your own vehicle.
Tools & equipment
The tools and equipment you buy and maintain for the job.
Materials you fronted
Any materials or parts you paid for before being reimbursed.
Workwear & PPE
Boots, gloves, hi-vis and the cost of washing workwear.
Training, cards & certification
Scheme membership, cards and the courses your trade requires.
Phone, internet & admin
The work share of your phone and broadband, plus accounting software.
Use of home as office
A reasonable allowance for quoting, invoicing and paperwork done from home.
A worked example
Say you were paid £38,000 over the year as a subcontractor, with CIS deducted at the standard 20% and a typical subcontractor expense profile. Here’s roughly how it works out.
- Paid before deductions
- £38,000
- Expenses (trade avg)
- £9,500
- Profit
- £28,500
- Tax-free allowance
- −£12,570
- Taxable income
- £15,930
- Tax + NIC due
- £4,142
- CIS deducted
- £7,600
- Estimated refund
- £3,112–£3,804
Estimate: confirm before you file. Illustrative figures for a £38,000 year. Your real numbers will differ. Not a guarantee. You can also claim free at gov.uk.
CIS refunds in Durham
Durham is a small city with tight, protected streets, so the work leans towards refurbishment and university and hospital estates rather than big open sites. Plenty of subbies based here travel out to the bigger jobs on Tyneside and Teesside for the week.
The North East has one of the highest concentrations of CIS subcontractors in the country, with major commercial, housing and infrastructure work running across Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside. If you've worked sites here under CIS, there's a good chance tax has been over-withheld from your pay.
Other areas in the North East
Find your trade in Durham
Same calculator, same Durham: pick the trade that fits.
How it works
You stay in control the whole way: we do the digging and the paperwork, you file your own claim.
- 1
Check your number
Tell us what you usually get paid a month and see what you could be owed: free, in about a minute, no sign-up to see your estimate.
- 2
Sign up free
Like your number? Leave your details and we'll set you up. No card, no commitment. Checking your estimate is free, and you only pay if we prepare your return.
- 3
Upload your statements
Send us your bank statements and our AI will read every transaction to find the expenses you can claim. Both the AI review and a one-tap UK Open Banking connection are coming soon.
- 4
Refund to your account
You file your own claim and HMRC pays the refund straight into your account. We charge a fixed fee when we hand you the finished return, never a cut of your refund.
Questions, answered
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