Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Enter your figures below to calculate your CGT liability
UK Capital Gains Tax Rates 2025/26 & 2026/27
Official HMRC rates following the Autumn Budget 2024. Rates apply to disposals from 30 October 2024 onwards.
| Tax Year | Annual Exempt | Basic Rate (Other Assets) | Higher Rate (Other Assets) | Residential Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022/23 | £12,300 | 10% | 20% | 18% / 28% |
| 2023/24 | £6,000 | 10% | 20% | 18% / 28% |
| 2024/25 (pre 30 Oct) | £3,000 | 10% | 20% | 18% / 24% |
| 2024/25 (post 30 Oct) | £3,000 | 18% | 24% | 18% / 24% |
| 2025/26 | £3,000 | 18% | 24% | 18% / 24% |
| 2026/27 | £3,000 | 18% | 24% | 18% / 24% |
How to Calculate UK Capital Gains Tax
HMRC requires you to follow these steps when working out your CGT liability.
Calculate Your Gain
Subtract your acquisition cost (purchase price + buying costs + improvement costs) from your disposal proceeds (sale price − selling costs).
Deduct Losses
Offset any allowable capital losses from the same tax year first. Then apply any losses carried forward from previous tax years.
Apply the Annual Exempt Amount
Deduct your annual exempt amount (£3,000 for 2025/26 & 2026/27). Only gains above this threshold are taxable.
Apply Your CGT Rate
Add your taxable gain to your income. Gains within the basic rate band are taxed at 18%. Gains above are taxed at 24%.
What Is Exempt from Capital Gains Tax?
Not every asset disposal triggers a CGT charge. Here's what HMRC exempts:
• Assets in ISAs and SIPPs
• UK Government bonds (gilts)
• Premium bonds and lottery winnings
• Personal possessions worth under £6,000
• Transfers between spouses / civil partners
• Assets inherited on death (IHT may apply)
• Business assets — may qualify for BADR (14% rate in 2025/26)
• EIS / SEIS investments — deferral and disposal relief available
• Charitable donations of assets — generally no CGT
• Shares and funds held outside an ISA
• Cryptocurrency held as investment
• Second / holiday homes
• Business assets (if BADR doesn't apply)
• Valuable personal possessions over £6,000
How to Reduce Your Capital Gains Tax Bill
Legal strategies endorsed by HMRC rules — always take professional advice for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UK Capital Gains Tax answered.
What is the Capital Gains Tax allowance for 2026/27?
The annual exempt amount (CGT allowance) is £3,000 for the 2026/27 tax year — the same as 2025/26. This is the amount of gain you can make before any CGT is due. It has been frozen at this level until 2031. It was significantly reduced from £12,300 in 2022/23.
What are the CGT rates in the UK for 2025/26 and 2026/27?
For disposals made from 30 October 2024 onwards, the rates are: 18% for basic rate taxpayers and 24% for higher and additional rate taxpayers. These rates apply to both residential property and other assets (shares, crypto, etc.). Business assets qualifying for BADR are taxed at 14% in 2025/26, rising to 18% from 6 April 2026.
Do I have to pay CGT when I sell my main home?
Usually no. Your main residence is exempt under Private Residence Relief (PRR). However, CGT may apply if: you have let part of the property, used it exclusively for business, the grounds exceed 0.5 hectares, or you bought it specifically to make a profit. A second home or buy-to-let property does not qualify for PRR.
How do I report CGT to HMRC?
For UK residential property (e.g. buy-to-let): you must report and pay within 60 days of completion using HMRC's UK Property Reporting service. For other assets (shares, crypto, etc.): report through Self Assessment. The deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year in which you made the gain.
Can I deduct costs from Capital Gains Tax?
Yes. You can deduct: the original purchase price, buying costs (stamp duty, legal fees, surveyor fees), selling costs (estate agent fees, legal fees), and costs of improvement (extensions, renovations — not routine maintenance). You cannot deduct mortgage interest or routine maintenance costs.
Is cryptocurrency subject to Capital Gains Tax in the UK?
Yes. HMRC treats cryptocurrency as a capital asset. You pay CGT on any gains when you dispose of crypto — including selling, swapping, gifting, or using it to pay for goods/services. The same annual exempt amount and rates apply. HMRC uses a specific "pooling" method for calculating the cost basis of crypto holdings.
Can I carry forward capital losses?
Yes. Capital losses can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future gains. You must first apply current-year losses, then carried-forward losses, and then the annual exempt amount. To preserve a loss, you must report it to HMRC within 4 years of the end of the tax year in which it occurred.
What is Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)?
BADR (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) reduces the CGT rate on qualifying business disposals. The rate is 14% for 2025/26 (rising to 18% from 6 April 2026). There is a lifetime limit of £1 million of qualifying gains. To qualify, you must have owned and worked in the business for at least 2 years before disposal.
CGT Guides & Resources
In-depth articles to help you understand and manage your Capital Gains Tax.
How to Reduce Capital Gains Tax in the UK: 8 Legal Strategies for 2025/26
With the CGT allowance cut to £3,000 and rates rising to 24%, smart planning is more important than ever. Here are the top strategies…
More Guides Coming Soon
We're publishing in-depth guides on CGT for property, shares, crypto, and business assets. Check back soon.