Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a UK tax on the profit you make when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value. It is the gain — not the total sale proceeds — that is taxed. CGT applies to assets including shares and investment funds, business assets, second properties, personal possessions worth over £6,000, and cryptocurrency. For 2024/25 each individual has an Annual Exempt Amount (AEA) of £3,000 — gains below this threshold are tax-free. Gains above the AEA are taxed at rates that depend on whether the taxpayer pays basic or higher/additional rate income tax, and on the nature of the asset. For most assets other than residential property, basic rate taxpayers pay 10% CGT and higher/additional rate taxpayers pay 20%. Residential property gains (other than your main home) are taxed at 18% for basic rate taxpayers and 24% for higher/additional rate taxpayers in 2024/25 — note the residential rate was increased from 18%/28% to 18%/24% in the October 2024 Budget. Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR, formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) allows qualifying business owners to pay CGT at just 10% on up to £1 million of lifetime qualifying gains. Your main private residence is fully exempt from CGT under Private Residence Relief. ISA and pension investments are also entirely outside the CGT system. CGT must be reported through Self Assessment and, for residential property disposals, a separate 60-day reporting and payment obligation also applies.
CGT = (Gain − Annual Exempt Amount) × applicable rate. Rate depends on: income tax band after adding gain, and asset type (property vs. other assets). BADR: qualifying gains × 10% (up to £1M lifetime).
- 1Calculate the gain: Sale proceeds minus allowable costs (purchase price, improvement costs, selling costs, stamp duty paid on purchase)
- 2Subtract the Annual Exempt Amount (£3,000 for 2024/25) — any remaining gain is taxable
- 3Determine which CGT rate applies: first establish whether your income (after adding the gain) exceeds the basic rate band limit of £50,270
- 4For non-property assets: 10% if you remain a basic rate taxpayer; 20% on gains that fall in the higher rate band
- 5For UK residential property (not your main home): 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate) on the taxable gain
- 6If claiming BADR: apply 10% on qualifying business gains up to the £1 million lifetime limit
- 7Report gains exceeding £3,000 or proceeds exceeding £50,000 through Self Assessment by 31 January following the tax year; residential property disposals must be reported within 60 days of completion
Taxable gain: £15,000 − £3,000 AEA = £12,000; CGT: £12,000 × 10% = £1,200
The basic rate of 10% applies to share gains for a non-higher-rate taxpayer. The AEA wipes out the first £3,000 of gain.
Taxable gain: £80,000 − £3,000 = £77,000; CGT: £77,000 × 24% = £18,480
Higher rate taxpayers pay 24% on residential property gains from April 2024. The 60-day reporting rule also applies.
Taxable gain: £500,000 − £3,000 = £497,000; CGT: £497,000 × 10% = £49,700
BADR reduces the rate to 10% on qualifying business gains up to £1M lifetime. Without BADR a higher rate taxpayer would pay £99,400.
Remaining basic rate band: £50,270 − £40,000 − £12,570 taxed income = £10,270 at 10%; excess £16,730 at 20%
Gains are stacked on top of income. The portion of the gain that fits in the basic rate band is taxed at 10%; the rest at 20%.
Calculating CGT due on sale of investment properties or buy-to-let portfolio, representing an important application area for the Uk Cgt Calculator in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk cgt ulator calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Planning when to sell shares to stay within the Annual Exempt Amount, representing an important application area for the Uk Cgt Calculator in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk cgt ulator calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Evaluating Business Asset Disposal Relief eligibility before a business sale, representing an important application area for the Uk Cgt Calculator in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk cgt ulator calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Deciding whether to Bed and ISA holdings to shelter future gains, representing an important application area for the Uk Cgt Calculator in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk cgt ulator calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Cryptocurrency portfolio tracking and CGT reporting obligations, representing an important application area for the Uk Cgt Calculator in professional and analytical contexts where accurate uk cgt ulator calculations directly support informed decision-making, strategic planning, and performance optimization
Bed and ISA
In the Uk Cgt Calculator, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk cgt ulator results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk cgt ulator calculations fall into non-standard territory.
30-Day Bed and Breakfast Rule
{'title': '30-Day Bed and Breakfast Rule', 'body': "If you sell shares and rebuy the same shares within 30 days, the repurchased shares are 'matched' against the sale for CGT purposes, preventing the creation of an artificial loss. The 30-day rule applies to shares only — not to ISA repurchases."}. In the Uk Cgt Calculator, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk cgt ulator results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk cgt ulator calculations fall into non-standard territory.
Gift of Assets
In the Uk Cgt Calculator, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk cgt ulator results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk cgt ulator calculations fall into non-standard territory.
{'title': "Investors' Relief", 'body': "Investors' Relief offers a 10% CGT rate on up to £10 million of qualifying gains from shares in unlisted trading companies where you are not an employee. This is separate from and in addition to the £1 million BADR lifetime limit."}. In the Uk Cgt Calculator, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk cgt ulator results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk cgt ulator calculations fall into non-standard territory.
CGT on Foreign Property
In the Uk Cgt Calculator, this scenario requires additional caution when interpreting uk cgt ulator results. The standard formula may not fully account for all factors present in this edge case, and supplementary analysis or expert consultation may be warranted. Professional best practice involves documenting assumptions, running sensitivity analyses, and cross-referencing results with alternative methods when uk cgt ulator calculations fall into non-standard territory.
| Asset Type | Basic Rate Taxpayer | Higher/Additional Rate Taxpayer |
|---|---|---|
| Shares and most assets | 10% | 20% |
| UK residential property | 18% | 24% |
| Business Asset Disposal Relief | 10% | 10% (up to £1M lifetime) |
| Annual Exempt Amount | £3,000 — tax free | £3,000 — tax free |
What is the Annual Exempt Amount (AEA)?
The Annual Exempt Amount is the amount of capital gains each individual can make in a tax year free of CGT. For 2024/25 it is £3,000. It was reduced from £12,300 in 2022/23 to £6,000 in 2023/24 and again to £3,000 in 2024/25. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Is my home subject to CGT?
No. Your main primary residence is fully exempt from CGT under Private Residence Relief. However, if you own a second home or rent out a property that is not your home, gains on disposal are subject to CGT at the residential property rates. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
What is Business Asset Disposal Relief?
BADR (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) allows qualifying business owners to pay 10% CGT on the first £1 million of lifetime qualifying business gains. You must have owned at least 5% of shares for at least 24 months and been an officer or employee of the company. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
What is the 60-day reporting rule for property?
From October 2021, UK residents must report and pay estimated CGT on residential property disposals within 60 days of completion. This is separate from the annual Self Assessment return and must be done through the HMRC property disposal service. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Can I offset losses against gains?
Yes. Capital losses can be offset against capital gains in the same tax year. If losses exceed gains, the net loss can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future gains. Losses must be claimed within 4 years of the tax year in which the loss arose. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Does CGT apply to ISA investments?
No. Any gains on investments held within an ISA or pension are completely exempt from CGT. This makes ISAs highly valuable for holding assets likely to appreciate significantly. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
How are cryptocurrency gains taxed?
HMRC treats cryptocurrency as a capital asset. Gains on crypto disposals (including swaps between coins and purchases of goods/services with crypto) are subject to CGT at the standard rates. Each trade is a taxable event. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Can couples share the CGT allowance?
Yes. Married couples and civil partners can transfer assets to each other with no CGT consequences (at the original cost price). This allows both partners to use their £3,000 AEA when disposing of assets. This is particularly important in the context of uk cgt calculatorulator calculations, where accuracy directly impacts decision-making. Professionals across multiple industries rely on precise uk cgt calculatorulator computations to validate assumptions, optimize processes, and ensure compliance with applicable standards. Understanding the underlying methodology helps users interpret results correctly and identify when additional analysis may be warranted.
Pro Tip
Spread large asset disposals across two tax years to use two Annual Exempt Amounts (£3,000 each = £6,000 tax-free). This simple timing strategy can save a higher rate taxpayer up to £1,200 in CGT.
Did you know?
The Annual Exempt Amount has fallen dramatically in recent years as a stealth tax measure. In 2022/23 it was £12,300 — four times the current £3,000. This reduction has brought many more investors into the CGT reporting requirement.