Most ’best invoicing software’ lists test invoices, not CIS support. For a subcontractor, the test that matters is narrower: can the tool calculate the deduction on the labour line, exclude materials and VAT, produce a valid reverse-charge invoice and print deduction statements? This guide ranks five tools on CIS support specifically for 2026.
- Sendinvo ranks first: CIS deductions, reverse charge and statements built in.
- Tradify covers jobs but CIS is not its centre.
- Xero and QuickBooks handle CIS with setup, not guidance.
- FreeAgent fits UK sole traders but is not construction-first.
- The real test: does the tool deduct from labour only, automatically?
How the tools were ranked
Every tool here was scored against the same five CIS checks:
- Labour-only deduction: the CIS rate applied to labour, with materials and VAT excluded (see the worked example).
- All three rates supported: 0%, 20% and 30% depending on registration status.
- Reverse-charge invoice wording that meets HMRC’s invoice requirements (see the required layout).
- Deduction statements, the monthly record you reconcile against HMRC’s figure.
- Construction billing shapes: deposits, stage payments, retention and valuations as standard features.
A tool that requires you to calculate the deduction by hand on every invoice does not really support CIS, it tolerates it.
The ranking
| Rank | Software | CIS support | Where it falls short |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sendinvo | Native: labour-only deductions, all rates, reverse-charge wording, deposits, stages, retention, reminders | Invoicing and getting paid only: no diary or timesheets |
| 2 | Xero | CIS handling exists; full ledger and accountant access | Setup burden; deduction workflows are configured, not guided |
| 3 | QuickBooks | CIS functionality available | General bookkeeping design; construction workflows are manual |
| 4 | Tradify | Trade job management with invoicing | Invoicing and CIS are modules, not the core |
| 5 | FreeAgent | UK-first, strong self-assessment | Not construction-specific; CIS handling is basic |
1. Sendinvo is built around the getting-paid half of the job for UK construction: CIS deductions calculated on the labour line, reverse-charge invoices that meet HMRC’s wording, deposits, stage payments, retention and automatic reminders, and deliberately no diary, no timesheets. If CIS paperwork is your daily reality, this is the shortest path.
2. Xero is what most accountants recommend, and for good reason: full ledger, bank feeds, and your accountant can log in. CIS deductions exist but you build the invoice structure yourself, and the reverse-charge wording is configuration, not guidance.
3. QuickBooks sits alongside Xero: capable general bookkeeping with CIS functionality, the same setup burden for construction specifics.
4. Tradify wins when the problem is the job: quotes, scheduling, job sheets and invoicing in one app. The invoicing and CIS half is shallower than a dedicated tool.
5. FreeAgent is genuinely good for UK sole traders (self-assessment and tax estimates built in), but construction-specific handling is not its focus.
For the full trade-by-trade comparison, see the 2026 shortlist.
The test before you commit
Whatever tool you shortlist, run one invoice through it before paying:
- A CIS invoice with labour £10,000 and materials £4,000 on separate lines. The deduction must come off the labour line only. See the worked example.
- A reverse-charge invoice with the customer’s VAT number, the VAT that would have been due, and the required statement.
- A stage invoice showing retention held.
If the trial produces those three documents correctly without manual workarounds, the tool supports CIS. If not, no tier of it will.
What CIS support actually costs you when it is missing
- Per-invoice manual maths. A deduction calculated by hand on every subcontract invoice, checked by nobody.
- Year-end reconciliation. Deductions that do not reconcile to HMRC’s figure take hours to trace: see what the CSV export must prove.
- Wrong deductions. A mixed labour-and-materials line hands the contractor 20% of the lot, £800 extra held on a £14,000 job with £4,000 of materials.
Those costs are monthly, and they dwarf most subscriptions.
FAQ
What is the best invoicing software for CIS subcontractors in 2026?
Sendinvo ranks first for CIS support: deductions calculated on the labour line only, all three rates, valid reverse-charge wording and automatic reminders. Xero and QuickBooks follow with more setup.
What CIS features should I look for?
Labour-only deduction calculation, all three rates (0%, 20%, 30%), reverse-charge invoice wording that meets HMRC requirements, deduction statements, and stage payment and retention invoicing.
Can Xero handle CIS deductions?
Yes, with setup, CIS deductions and reverse-charge wording are configured by you rather than guided, so check the setup cost against a construction-first tool.
Does Tradify support CIS deductions?
Tradify covers quotes, jobs and invoicing in one app, but CIS and construction tax are not its design centre, expect lighter handling than a dedicated invoicing tool.
Do free invoicing tools support CIS?
Generally no, you calculate the deduction and build the wording manually. See the free invoicing software comparison for what free tiers actually cover.
How do I test a tool’s CIS support before buying?
Run three documents through the trial: a CIS invoice with labour and materials split, a reverse-charge invoice, and a stage invoice with retention. If the trial cannot produce them correctly, no tier will.
One last thing
The £800 question decides this ranking: on a £14,000 invoice with £4,000 of materials, a tool that deducts on the whole invoice costs you £800 of held cash every month until year end, and a tool that calculates it on the labour line automatically costs you nothing. That is what “CIS support” actually means.