Accountants for plasterers and dry liners

Some weeks you are on a labour only price, others you supply and fix. That split changes how much CIS comes off and which VAT flat rate fits, so we keep a close eye on it and set your invoices out to match.

ACCA qualified accountants with over 20 years in practice

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Labour only or supply and fix

Plastering, rendering and dry lining are building work, so CIS applies when a contractor pays you.

  1. Labour only

    The contractor takes 20% of the whole invoice, less VAT, if you are registered for CIS.

  2. Supply and fix

    Plasterboard, plaster, beads and metal stud you paid for come off the invoice before the rate is applied, so the deduction falls on the labour part only.

  3. Getting the balance back

    Whatever was taken over the year counts towards your bill on the tax return, and any extra comes back as a CIS tax refund.

What plasterers usually claim

Business costs only; anything used privately as well is claimed for its business share.

  • Materials

    Board, bags of plaster and fixings you buy for jobs.

  • Mixers, stilts and lasers

    Equipment you keep for the business goes through capital allowances on traditional accounting.

  • Overalls

    Clothing that protects your everyday clothes while you work, such as overalls, if worn only for work.

  • Training

    Courses that refresh skills for the business, such as a new render system.

  • Getting to jobs

    Van costs, or 55p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles.

Which VAT flat rate fits a plasterer

On the Flat Rate Scheme, labour only building work uses 14.5% when materials are under 10% of turnover, and general building work uses 9.5%. A plasterer moving between labour only and supply and fix can cross that line, so we check the mix every year.

Work for a VAT registered contractor under CIS usually falls under the reverse charge instead. And where you install wall insulation in a home, that part is zero rated until 31/3/2027.

The tax rules on this page come from GOV.UK and HMRC guidance. Last checked .

Questions plasterers ask us

Why did the contractor take CIS off my materials?

Materials you paid for should come off before the deduction. If they are not shown on your invoice, the contractor may estimate them, so set them out clearly.

Is dry lining covered by CIS?

Yes. It is building work, which CIS covers when a contractor pays you.

Can I claim my overalls?

Yes, if they protect your everyday clothes and you wear them only for work. Ordinary clothes cannot be claimed.

14.5% or 9.5% on the Flat Rate Scheme?

14.5% for labour only work where materials are under 10% of turnover, 9.5% for general building work. It depends on how much you supply.

Plasterers, send us the paperwork

Tell us how much of your work is labour only, and we will send you a quote.

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