Selling a property, investment, business or other valuable asset can create an unexpected Capital Gains Tax liability. The calculation is rarely as simple as subtracting the original price from the sale proceeds. Allowable costs, ownership history, previous losses, tax reliefs and reporting deadlines can all affect the final amount.

Professional Capital Gains Tax services help individuals, landlords, investors and business owners calculate gains accurately, claim legitimate reliefs and meet HMRC deadlines. At SAS Accountants, we provide practical support throughout the process—from reviewing a planned disposal to preparing the calculation and reporting the gain.

What Is Capital Gains Tax?

Capital Gains Tax, commonly known as CGT, is charged on the profit made when a person sells, gives away, exchanges or otherwise disposes of a chargeable asset.

The tax normally applies to the gain rather than the full amount received. For example, if an investment property is purchased for £180,000 and later sold for £250,000, the initial gain is £70,000. Allowable purchase, sale and improvement costs may then reduce the taxable amount.

Companies do not generally pay Capital Gains Tax in the same way as individuals. Instead, chargeable gains are normally included within their Corporation Tax calculations.

When Can Capital Gains Tax Apply?

A taxable disposal can include selling, gifting, transferring or exchanging an asset. CGT may apply to:

Second homes and rental properties
Land and commercial property
Shares held outside an ISA
Business assets
Valuable personal possessions
Cryptocurrency and digital assets
Assets transferred as gifts
Certain overseas assets
Interests in partnerships or businesses

Your main home may qualify for Private Residence Relief, but the exemption is not always automatic. Periods of letting, business use, absence or partial occupation can affect the relief available.

Capital Gains Tax Rates for 2026/27

For disposals made from 6 April 2026, individuals generally pay Capital Gains Tax at 18% or 24%. The rate depends on the person’s taxable income and the amount of the gain.

The annual exempt amount for most individuals is £3,000 for the 2026/27 tax year. Only net taxable gains above this allowance are normally charged.

If part of the gain falls within the taxpayer’s unused basic-rate band, that part may be taxed at 18%. Any remaining taxable gain is generally charged at 24%.

HMRC confirms the current figures in its Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances guidance.

How Is a Capital Gain Calculated?

A basic calculation begins with the amount received for the asset. The original acquisition cost and qualifying expenses are then deducted.

Allowable costs may include:

The original purchase price
Stamp Duty Land Tax paid when buying a property
Solicitor and conveyancing fees
Estate-agent or advertising fees
Professional valuation costs
Certain improvement expenditure
Incidental costs directly connected with buying or selling

Ordinary repairs and maintenance are generally not treated as capital improvement costs. Mortgage interest and financing costs are also not normally deductible when calculating a capital gain.

Where an asset was inherited, gifted or purchased many years ago, establishing the correct acquisition value may require historical documents or a professional valuation.

Capital Gains Tax Services for Property Owners

Property transactions are among the most common reasons people require professional Capital Gains Tax support.

A property gain can become complicated when the property:

Was previously the owner’s main residence
Has been rented to tenants
Was jointly owned
Was inherited or received as a gift
Has undergone major improvements
Was occupied only for part of the ownership period
Was purchased at a different market value
Is owned by a non-UK resident

SAS Accountants can review the complete ownership history, identify allowable costs and calculate any Private Residence Relief that may be available.

The 60-Day Property Reporting Deadline

When Capital Gains Tax is due on the sale of UK residential property, it must generally be reported and paid within 60 days of completion.

This is separate from the annual Self Assessment deadline. Reporting the disposal on a later Self Assessment return does not remove the earlier 60-day obligation.

Missing the deadline can lead to penalties and interest. HMRC explains the requirement through its UK property Capital Gains Tax service.

Our accountants can calculate the estimated liability, help set up the required property account and submit the disposal return within the deadline.

Private Residence Relief

Private Residence Relief can protect some or all of the gain when a person sells their main home. Full relief may be available when the property was the owner’s only or main residence throughout the ownership period and other qualifying conditions are met.

The calculation can become more complicated if the property was rented, used for business, left unoccupied or occupied as the main home for only part of the ownership period.

Simply living in a property for a short time does not necessarily guarantee full relief. HMRC may consider the quality, permanence and circumstances of the occupation.

Professional advice is particularly important when a property has changed between personal and rental use.

Capital Gains on Shares and Investments

Selling shares outside an ISA can create a taxable gain. The calculation may involve several purchases of the same company’s shares at different prices.

UK share-matching rules determine which acquisition costs are matched against a disposal. These rules include same-day purchases, acquisitions within the following 30 days and the pooled cost of remaining shares.

Dividends and capital gains are separate for tax purposes. Dividend income may be taxable even when the shares have not been sold, while Capital Gains Tax is generally considered when a disposal takes place.

Our Capital Gains Tax services can help investors organise transaction statements, apply the appropriate share-matching rules and report taxable gains correctly.

Capital Gains Tax on Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency transactions can create taxable disposals. CGT may need to be considered when cryptoassets are:

Sold for pounds or another currency
Exchanged for a different cryptoasset
Used to purchase goods or services
Given to another person
Transferred in a transaction that changes beneficial ownership

Exchanging one cryptocurrency for another can be a disposal even when no money is withdrawn into a bank account.

Accurate records should include transaction dates, quantities, sterling values, fees and wallet transfers. Crypto calculations can become particularly difficult when several wallets and exchanges have been used.

Business Asset Disposal Relief

Business Asset Disposal Relief may be available when a sole trader, business partner or qualifying shareholder disposes of all or part of a business.

For qualifying disposals from 6 April 2026, gains covered by the relief are charged at 18%. Strict ownership, employment, shareholding and trading conditions may apply.

The relief is not automatic and must be claimed within the applicable time limit. HMRC provides further information in its Business Asset Disposal Relief guidance.

Before selling a business or company shares, early tax planning can help determine whether the disposal is likely to qualify.

Gifts and Transfers Between Family Members

Giving an asset away can still create a Capital Gains Tax liability. Where no payment is received, the disposal may be treated as taking place at market value.

Transfers between spouses or civil partners who are living together can generally take place on a no-gain, no-loss basis. Different rules may apply following separation or divorce.

Gift Hold-Over Relief may sometimes defer a gain when qualifying business assets or certain other assets are transferred. The recipient effectively takes responsibility for the deferred gain when they later dispose of the asset.

Because gifting an asset can also affect Inheritance Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax, the wider consequences should be reviewed before the transfer is completed.

Using Capital Losses

A loss made on a chargeable asset can sometimes be used against taxable gains. Current-year losses are normally applied before the annual exempt amount, while unused losses may be carried forward once properly reported to HMRC.

Losses cannot necessarily be used against ordinary income, and special rules can restrict losses arising from transactions between connected people.

Reporting losses can remain valuable even when no CGT is currently payable because the loss may reduce tax on a future disposal. HMRC provides additional information about allowable capital losses.

Capital Gains Tax for Non-Residents

Non-UK residents may still have to report disposals of UK property or land. In some circumstances, indirect disposals involving property-rich entities can also fall within the UK rules.

Non-residents may need to submit a UK property disposal return even when no tax is ultimately payable. Residence status, property type, rebasing rules and available double-taxation relief can all affect the calculation.

International disposals should be reviewed carefully, particularly when the asset is located overseas or the owner has recently moved into or out of the UK.

Why Use Professional Capital Gains Tax Services?

CGT errors often arise because taxpayers use the wrong acquisition value, overlook allowable costs, miss the property-reporting deadline or assume that every sale of a main home is exempt.

A professional accountant can:

Calculate the gain or loss accurately
Review purchase and disposal documents
Identify qualifying acquisition and improvement costs
Apply available losses and exemptions
Consider Private Residence Relief
Review Business Asset Disposal Relief eligibility
Prepare UK property disposal returns
Report gains through Self Assessment
Assist with amendments and overdue disclosures
Respond to HMRC questions
Provide planning before an asset is sold

Obtaining advice before a transaction can be more valuable than waiting until after completion. Once a disposal has occurred, some planning opportunities may no longer be available.

Why Choose SAS Accountants?

SAS Accountants provides clear and reliable Capital Gains Tax services for landlords, investors, business owners and individuals throughout the UK.

We review the circumstances behind each disposal rather than relying only on the final sale figures. Our accountants consider ownership history, allowable expenditure, tax losses, exemptions and relevant reliefs before calculating the liability.

Whether you are selling an investment property, transferring an asset, disposing of shares or preparing to sell a business, we can guide you through the reporting process and explain your tax position in straightforward language.

Arrange Capital Gains Tax Support

If you have sold an asset or are planning a disposal, speak to SAS Accountants before taking further action. Early advice can help you understand the likely tax liability, gather the correct evidence and meet the relevant reporting deadline.

Contact SAS Accountants on 0330 133 0278 or visit sasaccountant.com to discuss our Capital Gains Tax services.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is the Capital Gains Tax allowance?

For most individuals, the annual exempt amount is £3,000 for the 2026/27 tax year. The allowance applies to overall net gains rather than each separate asset.

2. How long do I have to report a property gain?

Capital Gains Tax due on the disposal of UK residential property must generally be reported and paid within 60 days of completion. A separate Self Assessment entry may also be required.

3. Do I pay Capital Gains Tax when selling my main home?

Full Private Residence Relief may mean that no tax is due, but this depends on how the property was occupied and used. Letting, business use and periods of absence can affect the relief.

4. Can I deduct renovation costs from a property gain?

Qualifying capital improvements may be deductible if they remain reflected in the property when it is sold. Ordinary repairs, maintenance and previously claimed expenses are not normally deducted from the capital gain.

5. Can an accountant reduce my Capital Gains Tax?

An accountant can ensure that legitimate costs, losses, exemptions and reliefs are included in the calculation. The purpose is to calculate the correct legal liability—not to conceal a gain or make unsupported claims.