Latest Construction

Changes in VAT for Contractors and Subcontractors

Confused by the new CIS reverse charge VAT rules that come into effect from 1 October 2019, then HMRC have issued further guidance at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-domestic-reverse-charge-for-building-and-construction-services#overview.   The basics are as from 1 October 2019 if you are a VAT registered subcontractor working for a contractor you will no longer be paid for the VAT element…

Payroll update: March 2019

  The team at Whiting’s payroll bureau have produced their latest newsletter, to keep clients updated on relevant recent changes to payroll and related legislation.   Edition 10 – March 2019  

Construction Industry VAT Reverse Charge

  HMRC’s latest attempt to stamp out tax fraud has turned their attention to the construction industry and, more specifically, VAT within the construction industry.  HMRC state they have identified “a significant risk to the Exchequer” as a result of missing trader fraud.  Missing trader fraud occurs where fraudsters take over or create shell companies…

The ‘Right to Build’

In 2016, new legislation came into force which meant that councils now have a duty to grant planning permission to appropriate serviced plots as part of the ‘Right to Build’ entitlement. This was part of the government’s solution to tackling housing shortages across the country – the objective was to double the value of the…

CITB Levy form requirement

It is the time of year when contractors are being issued with their CITB Levy forms, with a completion deadline of 30 June 2018. For those starting in the construction industry the registration process is easily not realised. For the purpose of the construction industry an employer includes those with subcontractors, and therefore the annual…

CITB Levy: Changes in calculation basis

Builders will probably now be aware that the basis for calculating how much their annual payment is under the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has recently changed:     Old Basis New Basis Levy on employees 0.5% 0.5% Levy on labour only sub-contractors 1.25% 0% Levy on payments to sub-contractors with Net CIS status 0%…

Twin Cab Pick-ups: Uncertainty over future tax treatment.

  For many years now, businesses, particularly builders, have provided their staff with twin cab pick-ups, instead of cars, to take advantage of the more generous tax regime. Such vehicles have previously been taxed as a van, resulting in more favourable capital allowances, VAT, NIC and benefit in kind treatments. The distinction between a car…

Obtaining Gross CIS Payment Status

Although the amount of tax ultimately paid on profits will be the same if you obtain CIS gross payment status, improvements in cashflow and reductions in the cost of credit, such as overdraft interest, should easily make the application process worthwhile. To be eligible to gain CIS gross payment status and receive payments from contractors…

Building Information Modelling

Construction Projects: Use of cloud accounting helps with BIM. Are you part of a construction project team? There is increasing publicity being given to the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) into construction projects. Since 4 April 2016, any firm wanting to be considered for public sector construction work has to be BIM level 2…

CIS Administration

Builders: Problems obtaining CIS refunds from HMRC ? Over recent years many limited company subcontractors working in the construction industry have experienced problems and delays in obtaining their CIS refunds from HMRC, due records not matching, i.e. the contractor who made the deduction has not correctly reported this on their monthly CIS returns. Subcontractors who…