Cabin
Free CIS Calculator

What do you actually take home?

Enter your day rate, pick your CIS status, see exactly what hits your account — daily, weekly, and annually.

Your details
£ per day
Days worked per week
CIS status
VAT registered?
Separate materials cost?
Your breakdown
5-day week · Gross CIS
Daily
Gross day rate£250
Weekly
Gross weekly£1,250
Weekly take-home
£1,250
Before income tax and National Insurance
Annual · 48 working weeks
Gross
£60k
CIS held
£0
Take-home
£60k

CIS deductions aren't a final tax — they offset your self-assessment bill. You may get some back.

How it works

CIS explained simply

The Construction Industry Scheme makes contractors deduct tax from subcontractors at source. Here's what each status means for your take-home.

0%

Gross (CIS Exempt)

You receive your full rate. No deduction. You pay your own tax at self-assessment. HMRC grants gross status to subbies with a clean payment history.

How to get it: Apply via Government Gateway. Requires clean tax history and sufficient turnover.
20%

Net 20% (Standard)

Contractor deducts 20% from your labour before paying you. Held on account with HMRC — offsets your self-assessment bill. Many subbies get a refund.

How to get it: Register for CIS at gov.uk and give your UTR to your contractor.
30%

Net 30% (Unverified)

Happens when the contractor can't verify you with HMRC. Costs you real cash flow every week. Fix it fast.

Fix it: Register for CIS. Get a UTR. Give it to your contractor. You should drop to 20% within days.

Common questions

CIS — what people actually ask

Is CIS deducted from my materials cost?
No. CIS only applies to labour. Always itemise materials separately on every invoice — if you don't, some contractors will deduct from the whole amount.
Do I get the deducted money back?
Often yes. CIS deductions offset your tax and NI at self-assessment. If more was deducted than your actual liability, HMRC refunds the difference. File on time and claim your expenses.
Does VAT affect my CIS deduction?
No. CIS is calculated on the pre-VAT amount. VAT is charged on top of your day rate and paid separately to HMRC via your VAT return.
How does CIS work on Cabin?
When a job completes, Cabin automatically calculates the correct CIS deduction based on your registered status and pays you the net amount directly. Your CIS status is set on your profile when you sign up — no manual calculations needed.
What is a UTR and do I need one?
A Unique Taxpayer Reference is the 10-digit number HMRC gives you when you register for CIS or self-assessment. Without it contractors must deduct at 30%. Register at gov.uk — takes about 10 minutes.
Can I claim expenses to reduce my tax bill?
Yes. Tools, PPE, vehicle costs, phone, and professional fees all reduce your taxable profit. Keep every receipt and claim everything you're entitled to.

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