Add or update a CIS contact

Add a new CIS subcontractor supplier, or update an existing supplier to add CIS information. Xero uses this information to calculate the CIS deduction on bills. If you're new to CIS you can add or update multiple contacts in one go.

Add a new CIS contact

Once CIS is enabled for a contact, it can't be disabled.
  1. In the Contacts menu, select All Contacts.
  2. Click Add contact.
  3. Enter the name of the subcontractor and other contact details as required.

  4. Under Financial Details, select the Enable deductions checkbox next to CIS Subcontractor.

    Image showing CIS Subcontractor check box.

  5. (Optional) Click Look up details online at HMRC and log in to get the subcontractors details. If it's a new subcontractor, you'll need to verify them with HMRC (gov.uk website).
  6. Complete the relevant fields as required, then click Save.

Update a contact to add CIS information

  1. In the Contacts menu, select All Contacts.
  2. Click the name of the contact you want to edit.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Update the CIS fields as required.
  5. Click Save.

Add or update multiple CIS contacts in one go

  1. In the Contacts menu, select All Contacts.
  2. Click Export.

  3. Open the file downloaded from Xero and complete the CIS fields for the contacts as required.

    You can add new contacts to the file, but don't change any existing names in the ContactName field, or Xero will create a new contact and won't update the existing record.

  4. Save the updated file.
  5. In the Contacts screen, click Import.
  6. Click Browse and select your saved file.
  7. Choose how you want Xero to treat empty fields.
  8. Click Import.
  9. Review the information to be imported. If you're happy that it's correct, click Complete Import.
CIS contacts can't be merged, and you can't restore a merged non-CIS contact if the contact it was merged with is now a CIS subcontractor

CIS fields explained

FieldColumnDescriptionRequirements
CIS SubcontractorCISContactEnter:
  • Y - if the contact is a CIS subcontractor
  • N - if the contact isn't a CIS subcontractor
Mandatory for all organisation types.
Registered CIS Name (Optional)RegCISNameXero displays the Contact Name (from the contact record). Enter the contacts registered CIS name, if it's different.Optional for all organisation types.
CIS RateCISRateSelect the CIS Rate applicable to your contact:
  • Gross (0%)
  • Standard (20%)
  • Higher (30%)
Mandatory for all organisation types.
Organisation TypeEntityTypeSelect the type of organisation applicable to your contact:
  • Sole Trader
  • Limited Company
  • Partnership
  • Trust
Mandatory for all organisation types.
National Insurance NumberNINEnter the NIN for the contact in the format XX000000X.
  • Sole Trader - Optional.
  • Trust and Partnership - Optional if CRN is entered, otherwise mandatory.
Company Registration NumberCRNEnter the CRN for the contact in the format 00000000 or XX000000.
  • Limited Company - Mandatory.
  • Trust and Partnership - Optional if NIN is entered, otherwise mandatory.
Unique Taxpayer ReferenceUTREnter the contact's UTR in the format 0000000000.Mandatory for all organisation types.
Subcontractor Verification NumberSVNEnter the contact's SVN you received from HMRC when you verified the subcontractor. It will be in the format V0000000000, V0000000000X or V0000000000XX.Mandatory for all organisation types.
Xero doesn't change existing bills for suppliers after you make them a CIS supplier. You can edit existing bills to add CIS details if required.

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