Capital Gains Tax · Quick Reference 2026/27
CGT on gains above the £3,000 annual exempt amount. England, Wales & Northern Ireland.
| Gain (after exempt amount) |
Basic Rate (18%/10%) |
Higher Rate (24%/20%) |
Asset Type |
| £10,000 | £1,800 property / £1,000 other | £2,400 property / £2,000 other | Property or Other |
| £25,000 | £4,500 / £2,500 | £6,000 / £5,000 | Property or Other |
| £50,000 | £9,000 / £5,000 | £12,000 / £10,000 | Property or Other |
| £75,000 | £13,500 / £7,500 | £18,000 / £15,000 | Property or Other |
| £100,000 | £18,000 / £10,000 | £24,000 / £20,000 | Property or Other |
| £200,000 | £36,000 / £20,000 | £48,000 / £40,000 | Property or Other |
For property sales, you must report and pay CGT within 60 days of completion. Shares and other assets are reported via Self Assessment. Married couples can use both annual exempt amounts (£6,000 combined).
Capital Gains Tax FAQs
Do I pay CGT when I sell my house in the UK?
Not on your main home · it is fully exempt from Capital Gains Tax under Private Residence Relief (PRR), provided you have lived in it as your only or main residence throughout ownership. CGT does apply to second properties, buy-to-let, and inherited properties you have not lived in. If you have let part of your home or used it for business, a proportion of the gain may be taxable.
What is the CGT annual exempt amount for 2026/27?
The Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount is £3,000 per person for 2026/27 · down from £12,300 in 2022/23. You pay no CGT on gains below this threshold. Married couples and civil partners each have their own £3,000 allowance, giving £6,000 combined on jointly-held assets. The allowance cannot be carried forward · use it or lose it each tax year.
What are the CGT rates on shares vs property in 2026/27?
Property (residential): 18% for basic rate taxpayers and 24% for higher/additional rate taxpayers. Shares and other assets: 10% for basic rate taxpayers and 20% for higher/additional rate. Your rate is determined by adding your taxable gain to your income · any portion falling within the basic rate band (up to £50,270) is taxed at the lower rate; the rest at the higher rate. Shares held inside an ISA are completely exempt.
What is the 60-day CGT reporting rule for property?
If you sell a UK residential property and a CGT liability arises, you must report and pay the tax within 60 days of the completion date using HMRC's online CGT on UK Property service. Missing this deadline can result in automatic penalties and interest charges. For shares and other assets, gains are reported through Self Assessment · due 31 January after the end of the tax year.
How can I reduce my Capital Gains Tax bill?
Key strategies include: using your full £3,000 annual exempt amount each year, transferring assets to a spouse before sale to use their allowance too, holding investments inside an ISA (gains are CGT-free), timing disposals across two tax years to use two years of exemptions, offsetting capital losses against gains, and investing via an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) which offers CGT deferral and exemption. Always take professional advice for large disposals.
For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · Tax rates shown are for 2026/27 · Always consult a qualified tax adviser for your personal situation