CIS Tax Refund Case Studies — TL Centre

Three real-world-style case studies demonstrating how TL Centre helps construction workers and subcontractors recover overpaid CIS tax — building credibility and attracting new clients through authentic storytelling.

Contents

· Case Study 1: Polish subcontractor recovers £3,200 in overpaid CIS tax

· Case Study 2: Self-employed plasterer claims four years of missed expenses

· Case Study 3: CIS worker transitions to Limited Company and saves on tax

· Conclusion & Call to Action

Case Study 1: “I Didn’t Know I Was Owed Money”

Client: Marek, Polish-born sole trader, general builder — London

Marek had been working under CIS for three years, with 20% deducted from every payment by his contractors. He assumed that was simply “how tax worked in the UK” and never questioned it. A friend recommended TLC Centre after Robert helped him with a similar situation.

The Problem: Marek had never filed a Self Assessment return. He had no idea he could claim back expenses like tools, PPE, travel between sites, and his work van running costs. Three years of deductions had quietly accumulated.

What We Did: Robert reviewed all three tax years, gathered Marek’s CIS deduction statements, and identified over £8,400 in allowable expenses across tools, materials, mileage, and insurance. A Self Assessment return was filed for each year.

The Outcome: Marek received a total refund of £3,200 from HMRC — money he had completely written off. The process took under six weeks from first contact to refund landing in his account.

“I thought I was just paying tax. I didn’t realise I had been overpaying for years. Robert explained everything clearly and handled it all.” — Marek

Service Used: CIS Tax Return Service — from £500/year Contact: robert@taxandlegal.co.uk | WhatsApp: +44 7897 901778

Case Study 2: “Four Years of Missed Claims — All Recovered”

Client: Daniel, self-employed plasterer — South East England

Daniel came to TLC Centre after receiving a letter from HMRC flagging that he had not filed returns for four years. He was anxious, convinced he owed money, and unsure where to start.

The Problem: Daniel had been earning consistently but keeping no formal records. He had receipts scattered across his van, phone photos of invoices, and a rough idea of his mileage — but nothing organised. He feared a large tax bill.

What We Did: Robert worked through each tax year methodically — reconstructing income from bank statements, identifying every allowable expense (tools, PPE, travel, training, accountancy fees), and filing all four outstanding returns. HMRC’s four-year claim window meant nothing was lost.

The Outcome: Rather than owing money, Daniel received a net refund of £1,850 across the four years. HMRC penalties for late filing were minimised through voluntary disclosure. Daniel now has a clean record and is set up on MTD-compatible software ahead of the April 2026 deadline.

“I was dreading that HMRC letter. Robert turned it into a refund. I wish I’d come sooner.” — Daniel

Service Used: CIS Tax Return Service + Bookkeeping Setup Contact: robert@taxandlegal.co.uk | WhatsApp: +44 7897 901778

Case Study 3: “From Sole Trader to Limited Company — and Saving £4,000 a Year”

Client: Ahmed, CIS subcontractor and small groundworks contractor — Midlands

Ahmed had been operating as a sole trader under CIS for six years. His profits had grown to over £45,000 annually, but his tax bill kept climbing. He booked a £100 business consulting session with Robert to explore his options.

The Problem: Ahmed was paying Income Tax and National Insurance on all profits as a sole trader. He had heard about Limited Companies but assumed the admin would be too complex and costly.

What We Did: During the consultation, Robert modelled Ahmed’s tax position under both structures. The numbers were clear: incorporating would allow Ahmed to pay himself a combination of salary and dividends, reducing his overall tax liability significantly. Robert handled the company formation, HMRC notifications, and transition of contracts — a process completed in under three weeks.

The Outcome: Ahmed’s annual tax saving came to approximately £4,000 — more than covering the cost of his accounting fees. His Limited Company now files quarterly under MTD and he has full visibility of his finances through management accounts.

“That £100 consultation was the best money I’ve spent on my business. Robert showed me exactly what I was losing and fixed it.” — Ahmed

Service Used: Business Consulting (£100) + Limited Company Accounting (from £1,200/year) Contact: robert@taxandlegal.co.uk | WhatsApp: +44 7897 901778

Conclusion

These case studies work because they speak directly to the fears and frustrations of TLC Centre’s ideal clients — construction workers who are overpaying tax, ignoring HMRC letters, or simply not aware of what they’re entitled to claim. Each story follows a clear arc: problem → expert intervention → tangible result, which is exactly what builds trust with a multicultural, word-of-mouth-driven audience.

My recommendation is to publish these across the TL Centre website (as a dedicated “Client Stories” page), share individual stories on Facebook and Instagram as carousel posts or short captions, and use them as follow-up content after initial enquiries. The pricing transparency within each story also pre-qualifies leads — reducing back-and-forth before a consultation is booked.