In-depth guides to UK capital gains tax rules, rates and planning for 2026/27. Including property, shares, allowances, Scotland and business disposal relief.
Capital gains tax (CGT) is the tax you pay on the profit when you sell or give away something that has gone up in value, such as a second property, shares held outside an ISA, cryptocurrency or a business. You are taxed on the gain, not the full amount you receive, and only on the part above your tax-free allowance.
For 2026/27 the annual exempt amount is £3,000. Gains above that are taxed at 18% where they fall within your remaining basic-rate band and 24% above it. Since 30 October 2024 these same rates apply to all asset types, so property, shares and crypto are now taxed at the same percentages. Our guides below explain each situation in plain English, with the numbers worked through.
You get one allowance, not one per asset. The £3,000 annual exempt amount covers all your disposals in a tax year combined, so selling several assets in the same year uses it up faster.
Timing matters. Because the allowance resets each tax year on 6 April, spreading disposals across two tax years can mean two allowances rather than one. Married couples and civil partners can also transfer assets between them with no CGT, effectively doubling the allowance on a joint disposal.
Report property quickly. A taxable residential property gain must be reported and the tax paid within 60 days of completion, separately from your Self Assessment return.
These guides are general information for the 2026/27 tax year, not personal tax advice. Always check your own position against current HMRC guidance or speak to an accountant for anything complex.
Written and reviewed by James Whitfield and the UKCapitalGainsTaxCalculator editorial team.
Every figure is checked against current HMRC and GOV.UK guidance and reviewed for the 2026/27 tax year. We explain how the tax works in plain English with worked examples, not just numbers. Editorial standards · Sources · About us