Capital Gains Tax

Capital Gains Tax

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax on the increase in value of your possessions - such as a second home: valuables including jewellery: antiques and art: or shares - during the time you have owned them. Any tax is due when you sell or give them away. You need to have made a certain amount of profit on your items before you can be taxed on them. It is the gain you make that is taxed, not the amount of money you receive.

The CGT allowance for the tax year 2020/21 is £12,300.

There a two different rates of CGT which vary depending on the asset you have made a profit on and your tax band:

-    If you have made a capital gain on an investment that isn't a property:
     CGT rate for basic-rate taxpayers is 10%, and for higher and additional rate taxpayers is 20%

-    If you have made a capital gain on a second home or buy-to let investment
     CGT rate for basic-rate taxpayers is 18%, and for higher and additional rate taxpayers is 28%

CGT rules for property owners changed from 1 April 2020.  See our updated advice guide for more details.

Business Asset Disposal Relief

Formerly known as Entrepreneurs' relief, Business Asset Disposal relief can be claimed for gains arising on disposals of businesses, shares in personal trading companies and associated business assets. Relief applies an effective rate of CGT at 10% when you dispose of any qualifying assets in 2020/21. There is no limit to the number of times you can claim the relief, while you can claim up to £1 million of business asset disposal relief in your lifetime. Before 11 March 2020, this was £10 million. Our advice guide has more information. 

With careful planning and the right tax advice it is often possible for individuals and trusts to reduce, delay and sometimes totally avoid capital gains tax. Morris Crocker’s tax advisers will calculate your current exposure to capital gains tax and then discuss your options for restructuring your affairs which may include:

•    Claiming all valid tax deductions
•    Claiming all eligible reliefs
•    Crystallising losses on other assets
•    Becoming non-resident and non-domiciled
•    Maximising the use of annual exemptions
•    Use of trusts or pension funds
•    Transferring ownership of assets
•    Restructuring the asset held
•    Careful Will planning

For more information about how to plan for capital gains tax please see our advice guide. If you would like our advice in this matter please call us on 023 9248 4356