Specialist payroll for self-employed workers in construction (CIS)

If you are a CIS sole trader looking for a compliant, efficient and exceptional value payroll service, you have come to the right place. Backed by professionals with over half a century of combined experience, Churchill Knight processes the payroll of thousands of workers every week. And now, we are delighted to offer a specialist CIS sole trader payroll service – Churchill Knight CIS – ideal for self-employed professionals working in construction.

Simply put, when you register to Churchill Knight CIS, we will process your pay in accordance with HMRC’s rules and regulations and will send 20% tax to HMRC on account. We’ll also deduct a small margin – the only income we generate. You will receive your pay to a personal bank account, and our sister company, Churchill Knight & Associates Ltd can help you file and submit your self-assessment tax return (and you will benefit from a special discount). Our service makes it easier than ever before for self-employed professionals in construction to be paid compliantly.

Please keep reading to learn more about Churchill Knight CIS, including how it works, how you register, and a list of the many benefits of choosing us today. If you would like to contact us for more information about our CIS sole trader service, please call 01707 871622 or complete the short form on this page. You can also request a CIS take-home pay calculation here.

Who can use Churchill Knight CIS for their payroll?

Unsurprisingly, Churchill Knight CIS is designed for CIS-registered sole traders. As a CIS registered worker, you will still remain self-employed (sole trader) when you register with us, unlike those who register with our traditional PAYE umbrella service (as they become an employee for PAYE).

Not registered as a sole trader yet?

If you are a sole trader (self-employed), you should have registered for self-assessment via the government website. Registering for self-assessment allows you to pay the correct tax and National Insurance contributions, and you will be assigned a Unique Tax Reference Number (UTR) – something you will need when registering for CIS. For more information, please click here.

Not CIS registered?

To register for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), you will need to complete an application on the government’s website where you will be asked for information about your business and tax affairs. For more information, please click here.

Additional support

If you require any assistance or have any questions about the Construction Industry Scheme, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly Sales Department, who are on hand to offer support. There is also a CIS-dedicated government helpline you can call Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00. The number is 0300 200 3210. If you are outside the UK, please call +44 161 930 8706.

How does Churchill Knight CIS work?

Using Churchill Knight CIS is extremely easy, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. There are also loads of benefits available to you – as we explain later on this page.

Once you have completed the registration process with us, you will be required to go to work as normal and record the hours you complete each week. While working on an assignment, you need to keep your end-hirer (the business you are working for) and your recruitment agency (if you’re working via one) up to date with your work hours. It’s important you do this to ensure they send the correct amount of your gross funds to us so that we can process your payroll. You will also need to send signed timesheets to Churchill Knight (cistimesheets@churchill-knight.co.uk).

Once we have received your gross funds, we will deduct a small fee (our processing fee) and 20%* tax which is sent to HMRC on account. You will then receive your income directly to your personal bank account. It really is as simple as that!

Please note that if you are CIS registered but have not verified your UTR number, you will be deducted 30% instead – as this is a legal requirement. To avoid the higher tax deductions, ensure you are CIS registered and your UTR number has been verified at your earliest convenience, and if you require any assistance with this, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today, as we’re on hand to offer support and guidance.

Expenses and submitting a self-assessment tax return

If you claim expenses over the course of the tax year while working on your assignments, make sure you keep hold of your receipts. You can claim back any tax you are owed when you complete and file your self-assessment tax return at the end of the tax year. Expenses may include:

  • Tools
  • Clothing
  • Travel
  • Professional subscriptions
  • Insurance

CIS workers who use our payroll service will be required to submit a self-assessment tax return at the end of the tax year – to pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance and any additional tax that may be due (for higher-earners who exceed the 20% tax allowance). Therefore, even if you are not able to claim expenses and file for a tax rebate, you are still required to submit a tax return before the end of January deadline.

Special self-assessment tax return discount for our CIS sole traders

Every CIS sole trader using our payroll service can benefit from a special discounted tax return – another perk to using Churchill Knight as your payroll provider!

For more information about our self-assessment tax return service, please click here or call our friendly team now on 01707 871622.

What are the benefits of Churchill Knight CIS for sole traders?

There are plenty of benefits of using Churchill Knight CIS, including:

  • The best option for CIS Sole Traders – Churchill Knight CIS is designed exclusively for CIS sole traders. It’s efficient, registering is easy, the service requires minimal administration and we’ll help you prepare for your self-assessment tax return at the end of the year. You will keep your sole trader status, unlike workers who use a PAYE umbrella company for their payroll (as they become employees of the umbrella company).
  • Compliance – Churchill Knight will help you get paid on time and in full compliance with HMRC’s rules and regulations (and in accordance with the Construction Industry Scheme).
  • Excellent value – Churchill Knight CIS is one of the most competitive CIS sole trader payroll services in the marketplace. Our small margin that we deduct each time we process your payroll ensures you receive exceptional value for money. Please contact us today for our very best offer.
  • Hundreds of recruitment agencies trust us – Agencies placing CIS sole traders prefer engaging with a CIS payroll specialist like Churchill Knight CIS to help ensure everything runs efficiently and compliantly. Hundreds of recruitment agencies trust us because they know we’ll pay our CIS sole traders correctly and without complication. When you join us, you are in the very safest hands.
  • Tax Return Specialists – Our parent company, Churchill Knight & Associates Ltd has a dedicated Self-Assessment Tax Return department who complete thousands of tax returns every year. All our CIS Sole Trader clients benefit from a special discount too! Many CIS Sole Traders are eligible for a tax rebate at the end of the tax year, and our parent company can help you submit your tax return accurately and within HMRC’s deadline.
  • Assistance from the beginning – Whether you’re a seasoned construction professional or you’re entirely new to the sector, we will provide you with comprehensive support to ensure you’re paid compliantly and on time. If you’re new to the construction industry and require support registering for the Construction Industry Scheme and obtaining a UTR number – our friendly professionals will provide you with the guidance and support you need.
  • Flexibility – There is no tie in period with our service and our small fee only applies when we process your payments. Therefore, if you have a few weeks off work, you will not be charged.
  • Streamlined onboarding – We have streamlined our onboarding process to help you get set up and ready to be paid quickly.
  • Ongoing Support – Once you have completed the registration process, you will receive ongoing support from our in-house Customer Support Department – as and when you need it. Simply send them an email or give them a call.
  • Faster Payments – All our payments are made using Faster Payments, meaning you’ll be paid the same day we receive your funds from your agency/end-hirer.

Is it easy for sole traders to register to Churchill Knight CIS?

Registering for Churchill Knight’s CIS service (Churchill Knight CIS) is extremely easy.

  1. Contact us and request a CIS take-home pay illustration. To request a calculation, please complete the form on this page, or call our friendly Sales Team on 01707 871622. During the initial chat with our Sales Team, you will be asked some questions about your assignment (SDC) to check you are self-employed in the construction industry.
  2. Register using the online CIS sole trader registration form – available here. The registration form usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete and asks for plenty of information, including your name, address, date of birth, UTR number, assignment details, and more. The details you provide are required for us to pay you compliantly.
  3. Once you have completed the CIS registration form, you will be required to provide us with proof of your identity, Right to Work (RTW) in the UK and your UTR number. These are required by law.
  4. You will be sent a contract from us which you will need to read thoroughly. Once you are happy, please sign the document and return it to us. This process is easy because the contract can be signed and submitted to us online using Signable.
  5. We will verify your UTR number to ensure that you are set up correctly and ready to be paid by us with the 20% tax deductions (paid to HMRC on account).*
  6. Throughout the registration process, our Onboarding Department is on hand to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions, please email or call them.
  7. Once you have completed the registration form, provided us with proof of your identity and RTW in the UK, and have signed and returned the contract – you have completed the registration process, and our Onboarding Department will be in contact to discuss the next steps to ensure you are paid accurately and efficiently.
  8. You will be required to submit a self-assessment tax return at the end of the tax year to pay NI and to process any expenses you are entitled to (which may result in you receiving a tax rebate). With the help of our sister company, Churchill Knight & Associates Ltd, submitting a self-assessment tax return has never been easier. You may also be eligible for a tax rebate if you have expenses to claim. Contact us for more information.

Check out our newest articles