Capital gains tax return, reported correctly.
Selling a property, shares or another asset can create a gain you must report. We calculate the gain, claim every relief, and file on time, including the separate 60-day report for UK property.
When capital gains tax applies
Capital gains tax is charged on the profit when you sell or dispose of an asset such as a second property, shares or a business asset, once your gain exceeds the annual exempt amount.
If you sell UK residential property and there is tax to pay, you must report the gain and pay the tax within 60 days of completion. The gain is also included on your Self Assessment return.
What is included
- Gain calculation using purchase costs, improvement costs and selling costs
- Reliefs and allowances claimed, including your annual exempt amount
- 60-day UK property report where required
- Capital gains pages of your Self Assessment return
- Filing with HMRC and written confirmation
Authorised and regulated
Is Cheap Tax Returns authorised and regulated? Yes.
Your return is prepared by qualified UK accountants holding qualifications from the leading accountancy bodies: ICAEW, ACCA and AAT. We are also on the ICAEW approved employers list, so you can file with confidence.
Regulated by the professional bodies. Reviewed by qualified accountants. Part of Accotax.
Worked example
A worked example: Capital Gains Tax on a property sale
Illustrative figures for a higher-rate taxpayer selling UK residential property, 2025/26 rates.
The figures
- Sale price: £260,000
- Purchase price: £180,000
- Buying and selling costs: £8,000
- Gain: £72,000
The tax
- Annual exempt amount: £3,000
- Taxable gain: £69,000
- At 24%: £16,560
- At 18%: £12,420
What this means
- Report within 60 days of completion
- Pay the tax by the same date
- Records of costs reduce the gain
- We prepare the report for you
In depth
Capital gains tax returns explained
Capital Gains Tax is charged on the profit when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value. This is what to report, how much it costs and when.
When do I pay Capital Gains Tax?
You may owe CGT when you sell or give away assets such as shares, second homes, buy-to-let property, business assets and cryptoassets. You pay tax only on gains above the £3,000 annual exempt amount.
What are the CGT rates?
For most assets, including shares and residential property, the rates are 18% for basic-rate taxpayers and 24% for higher-rate taxpayers. Business Asset Disposal Relief is charged at 14% for disposals up to 5 April 2026 and 18% from 6 April 2026.
What is the 60-day rule for property?
If you sell UK residential property and there is tax to pay, you must report the sale and pay the tax within 60 days of completion using HMRC’s UK property disposal service. This is separate from your Self Assessment return.
How do I reduce a capital gain?
Deduct the original cost, purchase costs like stamp duty and legal fees, improvement costs and selling costs. Reliefs such as Private Residence Relief can remove the gain, and transfers between spouses are normally at no gain and no loss.
Why use Cheap Tax Returns for your capital gains tax return?
Cheap Tax Returns is part of Accotax, a UK accountancy practice. Our fees are fixed and quoted in writing before we start, the work is prepared by an accountant and checked before filing, and we work online with clients anywhere in the UK. Our team holds ICAEW, ACCA and AAT credentials. For a free quote call 0203 4411 258 or email [email protected].
At a glance
Capital gains key dates, rates and mistakes
Key dates
- 60 days from completion: report and pay on UK residential property
- 31 January: report other gains on your Self Assessment return
- 31 January: pay the tax due on those gains
- Four years: time limit to claim a loss
Key rates
- Annual exempt amount: £3,000
- Basic-rate taxpayers: 18%
- Higher-rate taxpayers: 24%
- Business Asset Disposal Relief: 14%, then 18% from April 2026
Common mistakes
- Forgetting purchase and selling costs
- Missing the 60-day report
- Not reporting losses
- Mixing up the date of disposal
Questions, answered.
For property and shares the rates are 18% or 24%, depending on your taxable income. We work out your exact liability after reliefs.
If you sell UK residential property and there is capital gains tax to pay, you must report and pay within 60 days of completion.
Sometimes. Reporting rules depend on the size of your disposals and your circumstances. We will tell you what is required.
You must report if your total disposal proceeds were more than £50,000, even if the gain is covered by the annual exempt amount. You should also report a loss to carry it forward.
Yes. Selling, swapping or spending cryptoassets is a disposal. We help you work out each gain using HMRC’s pooling rules.
Fees are fixed, depend on the number of disposals and are quoted in writing before we start.
Keep exploring.
Know your price before we start.
- Fixed fee confirmed in writing before any work begins
- ICAEW, ACCA and AAT-qualified accountants
- Filed with HMRC and confirmed, so you have proof
- A real person on the phone: 0203 4411 258