Construction Industry Scheme

Simple CIS software for the construction industry.

Deductions, payroll, statements, bookkeeping and invoices in one place. Clear Books takes the pain out of CIS for construction businesses.

Creating a CIS-compliant invoice in Clear Books
CIS deduction applied
HMRC recognised

HMRC recognised supplier of CIS accounting software

Automatic CIS deductions Monthly CIS returns VAT reverse charge
CIS made simple

Everything you need to manage CIS.

Whether you're a contractor paying subcontractors or a subcontractor being paid, Clear Books handles the deductions, returns and statements for you.

Raise CIS invoices

Create professional, CIS-compliant quotes and invoices including UTR and deduction rates. Clear Books calculates contractor withholdings automatically.

Track subcontractor invoices

Record bills from your subcontractors. The verification tool checks HMRC deduction rates and calculates the required withholding.

Submit monthly CIS returns

Your monthly return is auto-populated from tracked invoices, ready to submit to HMRC directly from Clear Books.

Create payment statements

Generate monthly payment and deduction statements for your subcontractors, ready to download or email, with batch reporting supported.

Tracking subcontractor bills and CIS deductions in Clear Books
Subcontractor verified
Deduction calculated
Deductions done for you

Automatic CIS deductions, every time.

Clear Books applies the right deduction rate based on the subcontractor's verification status, so contractor withholdings are calculated correctly on every invoice and bill.

  • Verify subcontractors and apply HMRC deduction rates
  • Deductions calculated automatically at 20% or 30%
  • Works for both contractors and subcontractors
Try it free
Applying the VAT domestic reverse charge in Clear Books
Reverse charge applied
VAT for construction

VAT domestic reverse charge support.

For construction services that fall under the VAT domestic reverse charge, Clear Books lets you apply the reverse charge on your invoices and bills, so your VAT stays compliant.

  • Apply the VAT domestic reverse charge on invoices and bills
  • Stay compliant on qualifying construction services
  • File MTD-ready VAT returns in three simple steps
Explore VAT features
More than CIS

A full accounting toolkit for construction.

CIS reporting and submissions come built in from the Medium plan up, with no separate CIS add-on, alongside everything else you need to run the books.

Receipt capture

Snap a photo of a receipt on site and let Clear Books extract the details automatically.

Project profitability

Track income and costs by project so you know which jobs are actually making money.

VAT reporting

Prepare and submit MTD-ready VAT returns in three simple steps each quarter.

Payroll & HR

Run payroll for your team with CIS deductions, RTI submissions and payslips built in.

Common questions

CIS FAQs.

What is the Construction Industry Scheme?
Under the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), contractors deduct money from a subcontractor's payments and pass it to HMRC as an advance towards the subcontractor's tax and National Insurance. Clear Books handles the deductions, returns and statements for you.
How do I verify a subcontractor?
Clear Books' verification tool checks the subcontractor's status so the correct HMRC deduction rate is applied to their payments.
How are CIS deductions calculated?
Deductions are calculated automatically based on the subcontractor's verification status, typically 20% for verified subcontractors or 30% where they are not verified.
Can I create payment statements?
Yes. Clear Books automatically generates monthly payment and deduction statements for your subcontractors, ready to download or email, with batch reporting supported.
Get paid, stay compliant

Try Clear Books free for 30 days.

Clear Books is award-winning online accounting software designed for UK small businesses, with CIS reporting and submissions built into the Medium plan and up.