Book a Meeting

Capital gains tax accountants

Selling or transferring an asset can create a tax liability that is difficult to calculate without professional guidance. The amount you pay may depend on what you are disposing of, when you acquired it, how it has been used, your other taxable income and whether any reliefs or losses are available.

Asmat & Co Accountants helps individuals, landlords, investors and business owners understand their Capital Gains Tax position before and after a disposal. We calculate the gain, review the available reliefs, explain what needs to be reported and help you meet the relevant HMRC deadlines.

Our support can cover gains arising from:

You receive clear advice based on your circumstances, rather than a general calculation that overlooks important details.

Get advice before you sell or transfer an asset

Capital Gains Tax planning is usually more effective before a transaction is completed.

Once an asset has been sold, transferred or gifted, many of the decisions affecting the tax position may already have been made. Speaking to an accountant early gives you time to understand the likely liability, organise missing records and consider any legitimate planning opportunities.

Before you proceed, we can review:

Where a transaction involves the sale of a company, restructuring or a change in ownership, our corporate advisory services can help you consider the wider financial and commercial implications.

Capital gains tax accountants reviewing a property sale and tax records

What is Capital Gains Tax?

Capital Gains Tax is normally charged on the profit you make when you sell, gift, exchange or otherwise dispose of an asset that has increased in value.

The tax is based on the gain rather than the full amount you receive.

For example, selling an investment for £80,000 does not automatically mean that £80,000 is taxable. The calculation may take account of what you originally paid, eligible buying and selling costs, qualifying improvement expenditure, available losses and any reliefs that apply.

A disposal can include:

Gifts can still create a taxable disposal even when no money changes hands. HMRC may use the asset’s market value when calculating the gain, particularly where the transaction is between connected people.

Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances

For the 2026/27 tax year, the Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount is £3,000 for individuals. Most trustees have an annual exempt amount of £1,500.

After deducting any available exemption, losses and reliefs, individuals generally pay Capital Gains Tax at:

Your Capital Gains Tax rate cannot always be determined by looking at your salary alone. Your other taxable income and the size of the gain must be considered together.

Qualifying gains covered by Business Asset Disposal Relief are taxed at 18% for disposals made from 6 April 2026. Eligibility conditions apply, so the relief should not be assumed simply because the asset is connected to a business.

Companies do not normally pay Capital Gains Tax. Instead, a limited company may pay Corporation Tax on chargeable gains arising when it disposes of assets.

Tax rates, allowances and relief conditions can change. We use the rules applying to the date of your disposal rather than relying on figures from a previous tax year.

What our Capital Gains Tax service includes

Our work is tailored to the asset, the transaction and your wider tax position.

Reviewing the disposal

We establish what has been sold or transferred, the date on which the disposal took place and whether market value rules apply.

The disposal date is not always the day the funds reach your bank account. For some transactions, the relevant date may be linked to an unconditional contract, exchange of contracts or another legally significant event.

Calculating the gain

We calculate the proceeds and deduct the allowable acquisition cost, disposal costs and qualifying capital expenditure.

Depending on the asset, allowable costs may include:

Routine repairs, maintenance and loan interest are not normally deductible from a capital gain. We review the nature and purpose of each cost rather than treating every property or investment expense in the same way.

Reviewing losses and reliefs

We check whether current-year or previously reported capital losses can reduce the taxable gain.

We also consider whether you may qualify for reliefs such as:

Each relief has specific conditions. We will explain what evidence is required and whether the relief is likely to apply to your circumstances.

Preparing the HMRC report

We can prepare the appropriate Capital Gains Tax calculation and help you report the disposal through the relevant HMRC route.

This may involve:

Where the disposal also needs to be included in your annual return, our self assessment accountant can make sure the gain is reported alongside your other income.

Explaining what you need to pay

Before anything is submitted, we provide a clear calculation showing:

This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and understand how the final liability has been reached.

Capital Gains Tax on property

Property gains often involve more than subtracting the original purchase price from the sale proceeds.

Your position may depend on whether the property was:

Buy-to-let and second homes

Selling a rental property or second home can create a taxable gain. You may be able to deduct eligible acquisition costs, selling costs and qualifying improvements, but ordinary repairs and mortgage interest do not normally reduce the capital gain.

Our landlord accounting support can help bring together the property’s purchase records, rental history, improvement costs and ownership information before the disposal is calculated.

Selling your main home

A gain on your main home may be fully or partly covered by Private Residence Relief.

Full relief should not be assumed where:

We review the periods of occupation, absence and letting to determine how much of the gain may qualify for relief.

The 60-day property reporting deadline

When Capital Gains Tax is due on the disposal of UK residential property, the disposal will usually need to be reported and the estimated tax paid within 60 days of completion.

This deadline is separate from the annual Self Assessment deadline. Waiting until your next tax return is prepared could therefore result in late filing penalties and interest.

We can help you calculate the gain, prepare the property return and ensure the same disposal is treated correctly when your annual tax return is completed.

Capital Gains Tax on shares and investments

Calculating a gain on shares can become complicated when you have bought the same company’s shares at different times or received shares through a reorganisation, takeover, employee share scheme or rights issue.

HMRC share identification rules may require transactions to be matched in a particular order. These can include same-day acquisitions, acquisitions made within the following 30 days and shares held within a Section 104 pool.

We can review:

Investments held in an ISA are generally sheltered from Capital Gains Tax. Gains on investments outside an ISA may need to be calculated and reported.

Selling a business or business assets

Selling a business, partnership interest or shares in a personal company can create a significant tax liability.

The structure and timing of the transaction can affect the result. A share sale, asset sale, company liquidation and transfer to a family member can each produce different tax and commercial consequences.

We can help assess:

Our business tax planning service can help you review the expected tax position before legally committing to a sale or restructuring.

Gifts and transfers to family members

Giving an asset away does not necessarily prevent Capital Gains Tax from arising.

A gift to a child, parent, sibling or another connected person is generally treated as taking place at market value. This means you could have a taxable gain even though you receive no payment.

Transfers between spouses or civil partners who are living together are usually made on a no gain, no loss basis. The recipient generally takes over the original allowable cost and may become liable when they later dispose of the asset.

Different rules can apply following separation or divorce, and the timing of the transfer can be important.

In some circumstances, Gift Hold-Over Relief may defer a gain on qualifying business assets or certain transfers into trust. This is a deferral rather than a permanent exemption, and both parties may need to make a valid claim.

Inherited assets

You do not normally pay Capital Gains Tax simply because you inherit an asset.

However, Capital Gains Tax may arise if you later sell or transfer it for more than its value at the date of death. A reliable probate valuation can therefore be important.

We can review:

Where historic values or records are unavailable, we can explain whether a professional valuation is needed.

Capital losses

A loss on one disposal may be available to reduce taxable gains arising in the same or a later tax year.

Losses must generally be reported to HMRC before they can be used. A capital loss can normally be claimed up to 4 years after the end of the tax year in which the disposal occurred.

We review both current and previous transactions to identify losses that may have been overlooked. These might include losses on shares, investments, property or assets that have become of negligible value.

Losses cannot always be used against every type of gain, and special rules can apply to transactions with connected people.

Records you should keep

Reliable records help support your calculation and reduce the risk of an HMRC enquiry.

You should retain documents showing:

For property transactions, useful documents may include the original completion statement, Land Registry records, improvement invoices, planning documents, estate agent statements and the final sale completion statement.

For shares, broker statements and a complete transaction history may be needed to calculate the correct pooled cost.

How we work

Initial review

We discuss the asset, how it was acquired, how it has been used and what has happened or is expected to happen.

Document collection

We provide a clear list of the records needed. Where information is missing, we explain what alternative evidence or valuation may be acceptable.

Calculation and planning

We calculate the estimated gain and consider the available costs, losses, exemptions and reliefs.

Where the transaction has not yet completed, we explain any planning points that should be considered before you proceed.

Review with you

You receive a clear explanation of the calculation, the expected tax and the relevant reporting route.

Submission and ongoing support

Once approved, we help prepare the required return or supporting information. We can also assist if HMRC raises questions about the disposal.

Why choose Asmat & Co Accountants?

Capital gains calculations frequently depend on details that can be missed when a transaction is reviewed too quickly.

With nearly 2 decades of hands-on accounting and tax experience, Asmat & Co Accountants provides practical guidance based on the asset, the available evidence and the circumstances surrounding the disposal.

You benefit from:

We do not promise that every disposal can be made tax-free. Instead, we identify the reliefs and deductions you are legally entitled to claim while making sure your reporting is accurate and properly supported.

Speak to an experienced accountant

Whether you are planning a sale or have already completed a disposal, contact our team for clear advice on your Capital Gains Tax calculation, reporting responsibilities and next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Can capital gains tax accountants reduce my tax bill?

Capital gains tax accountants can make sure all eligible acquisition costs, disposal expenses, capital improvements, losses, exemptions and reliefs are considered. They may also identify planning opportunities before a disposal takes place. However, an accountant cannot remove a valid tax liability or claim reliefs when the conditions are not met.

Do I need an accountant to report Capital Gains Tax?

There is no legal requirement to use an accountant. You can calculate and report a gain yourself. Professional help may be worthwhile where the transaction involves property, several share purchases, business assets, joint ownership, inherited assets, missing records, overseas elements or a significant potential liability.

How much Capital Gains Tax will I pay in the UK?

The amount depends on your taxable gain, other taxable income, available annual exemption, capital losses and any reliefs. For 2026/27, individuals generally pay 18% on gains falling within the unused basic rate Income Tax band and 24% on the portion above it. Qualifying Business Asset Disposal Relief gains are taxed at 18% from 6 April 2026.

What expenses can I deduct from a capital gain?

You may be able to deduct the original acquisition cost, certain legal and professional fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax, selling fees and expenditure that permanently improved the asset. Routine maintenance, repairs, loan interest and costs already claimed against income are not normally deductible from a capital gain.

How long do I have to report Capital Gains Tax after selling a property?

When Capital Gains Tax is due on the sale of UK residential property, you will usually need to report the disposal and pay the estimated tax within 60 days of completion. The gain may also need to be included in your Self Assessment return. Other assets can have different reporting arrangements and deadlines.

Head Office - Slough London

Reading Office

  • 365-367 Oxford road, Reading RG30 1HA
  • 0118 950 9841
  • reading@asmataccountants.co.uk

Wednesbury Office

  • Old Bank Building, 35-37 King St, Darlaston, Wednesbury WS10 8DE, United Kingdom
  • 0121 667 0470
  • info@asmataccountants.co.uk

Who We Help

Services

Resources

Linkedin Instagram Youtube
Copyright © 2025 Asmat & Co. Accountants