Capital Gains Tax, explained Before you sell
Clear advice on selling property, investments or a business, including reliefs and reporting, at a fixed fee.
Overview
A sale is easier to plan than to fix. We work out the gain, identify the reliefs and allowances that apply, and explain what you will owe before you commit. Then we handle the reporting to HMRC, so the deadline and the paperwork are covered.
Who it’s for
- People selling a buy-to-let or second property
- Investors disposing of shares or funds
- Business owners selling or closing a business
- Anyone gifting or transferring valuable assets
- Those who have already sold and need to report it
What we do
- Calculate the gain: We establish cost, expenses and proceeds to arrive at an accurate figure.
- Identify reliefs: We check which reliefs, losses and allowances may reduce your bill.
- Plan before you sell: Timing and ownership can change the outcome, so we advise upfront.
- Property reporting: We handle the separate reporting for UK residential property sales.
- Report through your return: Gains are declared accurately on your Self Assessment return.
- Business disposals: We advise on sales of shares in, or assets of, a business.
How it works
Tell us what you are selling
Share the asset, dates and values. We confirm what is needed and agree a fee.
We calculate and advise
Your senior adviser works out the gain, the reliefs and the likely tax.
We report and you pay
We file the required reports with HMRC and tell you what to pay and when.
Capital Gains Tax questions
When is Capital Gains Tax due?
It is due on the profit when you sell, give away or otherwise dispose of an asset for more than it cost, after any annual exempt amount and reliefs. Gains are usually reported through Self Assessment, but UK residential property sales have separate, faster reporting.
Do I have to report a property sale quickly?
If you sell UK residential property and there is Capital Gains Tax to pay, you must generally report the sale and pay the tax on account within 60 days of completion. Missing this can mean penalties and interest, so speak to us before you sell.
Is my main home exempt?
Private Residence Relief often removes the gain on your only or main home, but it can be reduced or lost, for example if part was let, used for business, or you did not live there throughout. We check the facts before you rely on it.
Can I reduce the gain?
Often, yes. Allowable costs, the annual exempt amount, losses, transfers between spouses or civil partners and reliefs such as Business Asset Disposal Relief may apply. Which ones help depends on the asset and your circumstances, so planning before a sale matters.
Related services
Know the tax before you sell
Tell us what you are planning and we will send a fixed-fee quote.