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Capital gains tax in United Kingdom 2026
Gains above a £3,000 annual exemption are taxed at 18% while you have basic-rate band left and 24% beyond it — the same two rates for shares, property and everything else.
Your main home is fully exempt, and business asset disposal relief now charges 18% (up from 14%) on up to £1 million of lifetime business gains, so its advantage has vanished for higher-rate sellers.
At a glance
- top rate
- 24%
- entry band
- £3,000 of gains a year tax-free
- tax year basis
- 6 April – 5 April
- filing deadline
- 31 January; UK residential property sales need a return within 60 days
- residency basis
- Residents: worldwide gains (the foreign income and gains (FIG) regime excepted)
- regime flag
- Main residence: fully exempt
Rates
Capital gains tax 2026/27
| Rate | Base | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | Gains within your unused basic-rate band | All assets |
| 24% | Gains above the basic-rate band | All assets |
| 18% | Net gain, £1m lifetime cap | Business asset disposal relief and investors' relief (14% before April 2026) |
| Income tax | Carried interest — taxed wholly within income tax from 6 April 2026 (effective ~34% for qualifying carry) | Fund executives (special regime) |
Thresholds & allowances
- Annual exempt amount£3,000
Per person, per year
- Main residence reliefFully exempt
Your only or main home
- ChattelsNo tax on sales up to £6,000
Tangible movable items; cars are exempt outright
- Death upliftNo CGT on death
Heirs inherit assets at market value
Residency
Residency trigger
Residents pay capital gains tax (CGT) on worldwide gains; leave the UK for under 5 years and gains made while away on assets you already held are taxed on your return.
Non-resident treatment
Non-residents are outside UK CGT except for UK land and property (and property-rich companies), taxed with rebasing to 2015/2019 values, and assets of a UK trade.
Notes
- Transfers between spouses and civil partners are tax-neutral — the recipient takes over the original cost.
- Losses offset gains in the same year, and unused losses carry forward.
- Selling UK residential property means a return and payment on account within 60 days of completion.
- Crypto gains follow these same rates — see the UK crypto tax page.
FAQ
What is the UK capital gains tax rate?
18% on gains within your remaining basic-rate band and 24% above it, after a £3,000 annual exemption — the same rates for shares and property since October 2024.
Is my home exempt from UK CGT?
Your only or main residence is fully exempt for the periods you live in it; second homes and rentals pay the standard 18%/24%.
Do non-residents pay UK CGT?
Only on UK land and property (including property-rich company shares) and UK business assets — with gains generally rebased so only the post-2015/2019 portion is taxed.
Figures: tax year 2026/27, compiled from public sources. Not tax advice.