By Tony Booth

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) was never really intended to impinge on buy-to-let investors.

Its purpose was to target freelance contractors with tighter controls, involving them having to be 'verified' and making monthly rather than annual tax returns.

Unfortunately, the rules have been worded in such a manner that buy-to-let investors could get entangled in the new tax trap and get stung with a £5,000 fine.

The biggest threat from the CIS is for those landlords that undertake property development as part of their investment strategy.