Ode to CIS

KEY POINTS

• Use of subcontractors’ unique taxpayer references.
• More prompt payment of bills.
• Success of HMRC’s compliance campaigns.
• Tarring an industry with ancient history.

It is two years now since the chancellor’s decision took effect to abolish the construction industry scheme in his 2014 Budget.

Having listened to the arguments that the scheme was a major imposition on an industry that had suffered more than most in the recent economic downturn and having weighed up the likelihood of construction being one of the growth industries in the run-up to the 2015 general election the chancellor decided to strike a blow against bureaucracy.

There were criticisms at the time: for example tax yield was being put at risk and the scheme was working and generally understood as well as fears that builders would...