Capital Gains Tax in Scotland 2026/27
CGT is not devolved. A Scottish taxpayer pays exactly the same 18% and 24% as someone in England on the same income and gain.1 The catch that trips people up: for CGT the band split uses the UK-wide £50,270 threshold, not Scotland's lower £43,662 higher-rate point.2 So being a Scottish higher-rate income taxpayer doesn't automatically push your gain to 24%.
- CGT rates - 18% and 24% - are identical UK-wide; Holyrood can't vary them.1
- The CGT band split uses the UK £50,270 limit, not the Scottish £43,662 higher-rate threshold.2
- The £3,000 annual exempt amount applies in Scotland just the same.3
- The 60-day property reporting rule applies to Scottish residential property too.
- LBTT paid on purchase is an allowable cost, exactly as SDLT is south of the border.
CGT rates in Scotland 2026/27
Scotland cannot vary CGT rates. The rates are set by Westminster and apply to all UK taxpayers equally:
The key point: for CGT purposes, the UK-wide basic-rate limit of £50,270 is used to determine which rate applies - not the Scottish higher-rate threshold of £43,662. Scottish and English taxpayers with the same income and gain pay the same CGT.
Scottish income tax vs CGT, the key difference
Scotland has its own income tax rates and bands: starter rate (19%), basic rate (20%), intermediate rate (21%), higher rate (42%), advanced rate (45%) and top rate (48%). The Scottish higher-rate band starts at £43,662 for 2026/27 - lower than the rest of the UK (£50,270).
What does this mean in practice? A Scottish taxpayer earning £46,000 is already in the Scottish higher-rate band for income tax, paying 42% on income above £43,662. But for CGT, what matters is whether income exceeds the UK basic-rate limit of £50,270. At £46,000 of salary, there is still £4,270 of UK basic-rate band remaining (£50,270 − £46,000), so up to £4,270 of capital gains can be taxed at 18%.
Scottish income tax and UK CGT use different thresholds. They interact through your income level, but the CGT calculation always uses the UK figures.
Worked example: Scottish taxpayer with £46,000 salary
Fiona is a Scottish higher-rate income taxpayer with a salary of £46,000. She sells shares and makes a £15,000 gain.
| Gross gain | £15,000 |
| Less annual exempt amount | −£3,000 |
| Taxable gain | £12,000 |
| UK basic-rate band left (£50,270 − £46,000) | £4,270 |
| First £4,270 at 18% | £769 |
| Remaining £7,730 at 24% | £1,855 |
| Total CGT | £2,624 |
If Fiona lived in England with the same salary and gain, the CGT would be identical - the UK-wide £50,270 threshold is used in both cases.
Worked example: Scottish basic-rate taxpayer
Jamie earns £30,000 and sells a buy-to-let property with a £40,000 gain after the AEA.
| Taxable income (£30,000 − £12,570) | £17,430 |
| UK basic-rate band left (£37,700 − £17,430) | £20,270 |
| First £20,270 of gain at 18% | £3,649 |
| Remaining £19,730 of gain at 24% | £4,735 |
| Total CGT | £8,384 |
The £40,000 gain here is already after the £3,000 allowance. The calculation is identical for an English taxpayer with the same salary and property gain.
CGT planning strategies for Scottish taxpayers
- Use the annual exempt amount, £3,000 applies equally in Scotland. Systematic annual crystallisation via bed-and-ISA is just as effective.
- Pension contributions, Scottish higher-rate taxpayers get 42% income tax relief on pension contributions (the Scottish higher rate for 2026/27). Contributions also reduce taxable income, potentially pushing more of a gain into the 18% band.
- Spousal transfers, transfers between spouses are no-gain/no-loss across the UK. Transferring assets to a lower-income Scottish spouse before disposal uses their AEA and lower CGT rate.
- ISA wrapper, gains inside a Stocks and Shares ISA are completely CGT-free across the UK including Scotland.
The 60-day property reporting rule in Scotland
The 60-day rule applies equally in Scotland. Sell a Scottish residential property (other than your main home) with CGT owed, and you must report and pay within 60 days of completion through HMRC's online property reporting service.
Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) instead of Stamp Duty Land Tax. LBTT paid on purchase is an allowable cost for CGT in the same way SDLT is in England.
Calculate your CGT as a Scottish taxpayer
Our calculator uses the UK-wide £50,270 threshold. Enter your income and gain for an accurate 2026/27 estimate.
Open the CGT calculatorFrequently asked questions
Do Scottish taxpayers pay higher CGT rates?
No. CGT rates of 18% and 24% apply identically across the UK. Scotland cannot vary CGT rates. The rates are set by the UK Government at Westminster.
Which band threshold applies for CGT in Scotland?
The UK-wide basic-rate limit of £50,270 is used for CGT purposes, not the lower Scottish higher-rate threshold of £43,662.
Does the annual exempt amount apply in Scotland?
Yes. The £3,000 annual exempt amount applies to all UK taxpayers including those in Scotland.
Does LBTT count as an allowable cost for CGT?
Yes. Land and Buildings Transaction Tax paid on purchase of Scottish property is an allowable acquisition cost for CGT, reducing your gain when you sell.
Does the 60-day property reporting rule apply in Scotland?
Yes. If you sell a Scottish residential property that isn't your main home and CGT is due, you must report and pay within 60 days of completion through HMRC's UK Property online service - the same as anywhere else in the UK. The reporting service is run by HMRC, not Revenue Scotland, because CGT is a UK-wide tax.
This page is for general information only. CGT rules are complex and individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified tax adviser for personalised guidance.
Sources & references
The rates, allowances and rules in this guide are drawn from the official HMRC and GOV.UK sources below, checked for the 2026/27 tax year. Each link opens the relevant government page in a new tab.
- Capital Gains Tax: rates www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/rates
- Income Tax in Scotland www.gov.uk/scottish-income-tax
- Capital Gains Tax — GOV.UK www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax