Dedicated Accountants for Main & Principal Contractors
Running multiple subcontractors, retentions, and staged payments across live sites leaves little room for tax errors. Our accountants keep principal contractors compliant on CIS, VAT reverse charge, and Corporation Tax while protecting margin on every contract.
£3.1m+
CIS Recovered
100 %
HMRC & MTD Ready
50+
Five-Star Reviews
Construction
Tax EXPERTS
Fixed Fee
No hidden charges
HMRC Compliance
Who We Are
Construction Accountants who understand life running the main contract
As a main or principal contractor, you carry CIS obligations for every subcontractor on site, VAT domestic reverse charge responsibilities on most supplies, and margin pressure from retentions held until practical completion. We manage the compliance layer so you can focus on programme and delivery.
CIS registration, verification checks, and deduction statement reconciliation
Domestic Reverse Charge VAT compliance across subcontractor invoicing
Domestic Reverse Charge VAT
Avoid VAT cash flow traps on subcontractor supplies
The VAT domestic reverse charge can be difficult to apply correctly, particularly where projects involve multiple contractors, subcontractors, and different types of work. We help construction businesses establish whether the reverse charge applies, identify any end-user or intermediary-supplier exceptions, and ensure invoices carry the required reverse-charge wording. The rules generally apply to qualifying standard- or reduced-rate construction services between VAT-registered businesses where payments fall within CIS.
Our construction accountants can also review your VAT return treatment, accounting software setup, and subcontractor invoicing processes. This helps prevent incorrect VAT charges, improves the accuracy of your VAT reporting, and creates a clear audit trail should HMRC query your position.
100%
CIS Compliance Rate
CIS Contractor Obligations
Get subcontractor deductions right on every invoice, every month
As the contractor, you must verify each subcontractor with HMRC and deduct the correct rate, 20% for registered, 30% for unregistered, or 0% for those with gross payment status then file monthly returns and issue deduction statements on time . Getting this wrong, or missing a filing deadline, exposes you to HMRC penalties and interest that compound quickly across a busy subcontractor base.
Monthly CIS return preparation and submission
Subcontractor verification checks before first payment on every contract
Common Pain Points
Key Challenges Main & Principal Contractors Face
Running the main contract means absorbing tax risk from every subcontractor relationship on the job.
Missed Monthly CIS Return Deadlines
With dozens of subcontractors and payment cycles to track, monthly CIS returns are easy to file late, triggering automatic HMRC penalties .
Reverse Charge VAT Misapplication
Applying standard VAT treatment instead of reverse charge (or the reverse) creates return errors that HMRC can flag on inspection.
Retention Accounting Errors
Retentions held until practical completion or the end of the defects period need careful revenue recognition treatment, and getting this wrong distorts reported profit.
Subcontractor Verification Gaps
Failing to verify a subcontractor before the first payment risks deducting the wrong rate and creates compliance exposure.
Cash Flow Strain from Staged Payments
Managing PAYE, CIS deductions, and VAT payments against staggered client payment certificates can create serious short-term cash pressure on larger contracts.
Free Consultation
Let’s talk about your construction accounting challenges
Book a 30-minute call with our specialist accountant for construction business. We’ll look at how your business is set up and flag quick wins you can act on straight away.
- CIS and VAT reverse charge handled correctly
- Deep expertise in contractor, subcontractor tax rules
- Forward-looking advice, not just year-end filing
- Transparent fixed fees, no surprises
Our Services
Tax & Accounting Services for Main & Principal Contractors
From tender through practical completion and retention release, we manage your full contractor tax position.
CIS Contractor Compliance
Registration, subcontractor verification, monthly returns, and deduction statements handled end to end
Domestic Reverse Charge VAT Management
We ensure every subcontractor invoice is treated correctly under reverse charge rules and your VAT returns reconcile accordingly.
Corporation Tax & Contract Profit Recognition
We advise on accurate profit recognition across long-term contracts and maximise allowable deductions.
Retention & Cash Flow Forecasting
We model retention releases, staged payments, and tax liabilities so working capital stays under control
Capital Allowances on Plant & Equipment
We claim AIA and first-year allowances on plant, vehicles, and equipment purchased for site use
Payroll & Subcontractor Payment Systems
We set up systems that automate CIS deduction, verification, and statement issuance to reduce manual error.
Switching Accountants, Step by Step
Four stages from enquiry to full onboarding
Moving to a new accountant mid-contract feels risky, so we have built a process designed to protect your CIS records, VAT position and ongoing site work throughout.
Initial Consultation
A free 30-minute call to walk through your current contracts, subcontractor arrangements and any outstanding CIS or VAT issues.
Custom Fee Proposal
Within 48 hours, you receive a fixed-fee proposal built around your actual contract volume and subcontractor headcount, not a generic package.
Coordinated Transition
We contact your current accountant directly to transfer CIS records, VAT history and working papers without any gaps in compliance.
Continued Support
Once onboarded, our accountant remains your single point of contact for every contract, HMRC query and financial decision going forward.
Client Stories
Real feedback from real construction businesses
Over 60 verified five-star reviews from subcontractors, contractors and developers across the UK.
★★★★★
“I’d been under-claiming CIS repayments for two years without realising it. They found and recovered £14,000 within weeks of taking us on. Nobody had ever explained the scheme to me this clearly before.”
★★★★★
“We had no real idea which contracts were making money until they built us a proper job-costing system. Now we price the next tender based on actual data, not guesswork.”
★★★★★
“Every site brings its own VAT and SDLT questions, and they have never once been slow to answer. Switching from our old firm was the easiest financial decision we have made in years.”
Why Choose US
Why Principal contractors choose Construction Tax Accountants
Dedicated Accountant
Your dedicated accountant already knows your subcontractor list, your live contracts and your VAT position, so every call picks up exactly where the last one left off.
ACCA Qualified Team
Registered as Chartered Certified Accountants, providing you with expert advice you can rely on and trust completely.
Transparent Fixed Fees
You will never receive an unexpected invoice. All fees are fixed, all-inclusive and agreed upfront, with no hourly rates and no extra charges for additional advice or HMRC queries.
Repayments Chased, Not Just Filed
We do not wait for HMRC to process your CIS repayment in its own time. We track every claim and follow up until it is paid.
Cloud Systems Built for Site-Based Businesses
We work across Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent, integrated with CIS and job-costing tools so your figures are accurate whether you are in the office or on site.
Beyond the Numbers
We connect clients with invoice-finance providers, contractor-insurance brokers and CITB levy specialists as part of the relationship, not as an upsell.
FAQS
Commonly Asked Accounting Questions about Main & Principal Contractors
What are my obligations as a CIS contractor?
What happens if I file a CIS return late?
How does the VAT domestic reverse charge work for contractors?
Do I need to verify a subcontractor every time I engage them?
How should retentions be accounted for?
Can gross payment status subcontractors still cause compliance risk?
Still have questions?
Our specialist accountants for main & principal contractors are ready to answer any questions about your specific tax situation with no obligation for an initial conversation.
- Mon–Fri, 9am–5:30pm