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The rules you have to work to
Plain explanations of the UK regulations, deadlines and pricing decisions that decide whether a construction business makes money. Written for contractors, with the statute cited, and useful whether or not you ever buy anything from us.
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CIS, VAT and MTD in 2026: what changed, and the dates fixed for 2027
One thing changed in April 2026, and it landed on labour-only subcontractors first. Two things people expected to change did not. And the dates for April 2027 are already on the statute book.
16 September 20268 min CISCIS gross payment status: how to get it, and how firms lose it
Being paid gross is worth real money in cash flow, because the 20% stops being withheld at source. Three tests get you there. One late VAT return takes it away.
6 May 20265 min CISCIS tax months explained: why the 6th to the 5th matters
A payment dated the 3rd belongs to last month’s return. Get the tax month wrong and you file two returns incorrectly instead of one.
28 April 20266 min CISHow CIS deductions are calculated, and why materials are excluded
Take 20% off the whole invoice and you’ve underpaid your subcontractor. The deduction runs on the labour element only. Here’s the arithmetic, with examples.
21 April 20266 minBuilt for the way UK contractors actually work
Estimating, quoting, job management, timesheets, invoicing, CIS and site safety, with an offline field mode that installs to a phone and keeps working with no signal.