The 31st January Self-Assessment deadline is fast approaching so here's a few pointers if you're looking for an accountant to help get your CIS tax return in on time.

Self Assessment tax returns can be tricky business at the best of times, and things only get more complicated if you’re paid through CIS. Under the Construction Industry Scheme, you’re losing 20% of your pay to the taxman before you even get it – and you still have to file a tax return on top!

You wouldn’t ask an odd-job man to perform your upcoming surgery, no matter how handy he was. So why would you want expect a general-purpose accountant to be able to do the best possible job on your CIS tax returns? Accountants’ qualifications can vary massively, along with their skills, experience and training. That’s why it’s so important to choose the one you work with wisely. Ask yourself a few questions, like:

  • Do they specialise in CIS tax returns and refunds?
  • Do they have a reliable track record and good references?
  • Are they up-front with their pricing and easy to get hold of?

When you work with RIFT, you’ll always know you’ve got the UK’s leading tax experts on your side. Our CIS specialists have been lightening the load for the UK’s construction workforce since 1999, filing CIS Self Assessment tax returns and claiming back the overpaid tax they’re owed. 100% of our construction CIS customers say they would definitely recommend us to their friends and family, so rest assured you're always in safe and expert hands with RIFT.

It takes a lot of specialist knowledge to get the very best from a CIS tax refund claim or Self Assessment return. Of the CIS workers we help, 96% turn out to be owed tax back from HMRC for the last 12 months, with an average 1-year refund payout of £1,915. Our reps cover over 3,000 miles every month all over the UK to get the word out about what we do, and to help construction workers to get back what they’re owed. We work out how much you can claim, complete your Self Assessment returns for you and claim your tax refund at the same time – all included in our simple fee, with no hourly rates or expensive appointments.

With payouts on the rise, there’s never been a better time to claim your CIS tax refund with RIFT. Remember, this isn’t some prize or windfall you can win. This is YOUR money that HMRC’s sitting on, and the only way to get back everything you’re owed is through the refund system. It takes real expertise to do it right, and the clock is definitely ticking on older claims. Anything you haven’t claimed back after 4-years is lost forever, so you need to move fast if you’re still owed from previous years.

Perhaps most importantly of all, you’re fully protected with RIFT. The Self Assessment and tax refund systems come loaded with deadlines, regulations and penalties, and it’s all too easy to get tangled up in red tape. Not only will RIFT keep you and your cash safe, but our RIFT Guarantee goes even further. As long as you’ve played fair with the information you give us, your refund is completely protected. If the taxman ever disagreed with the amount we’ve claimed for you and demanded some back, we’d pay him ourselves at no cost to you!

Remember, you’ve got until the 31st of January to get your CIS tax return filed. Get in touch to set the wheels turning now. With our teams of CIS experts on the case, you’re always better off with RIFT.

RIFT are the UK's leading tax rebate and tax return specialists who've been in in the industry since 1999.  Get an instant estimate of how much cash you could be owed back from HMRC using our free tax rebate calculator.