Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged when you sell an asset for more than you paid for it. For 2026-27, you have a £3,000 annual allowance. Gains above this are taxed at 10% (basic rate) or 20% (higher/additional rate) for shares, or 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher/additional rate) for property. Your other income determines which band applies.
Calculate Capital Gains Tax
Disclaimer: This calculator is for guidance only. Always verify with HMRC or consult a qualified accountant for your specific situation.
How Capital Gains Tax Works
Annual Allowance
For 2026-27, the CGT annual exempt amount is £3,000. This is the total amount of gains you can make in the tax year before paying any CGT. The allowance applies across all your gains, not per asset.1
The allowance was £12,300 until 2022-23, then reduced to £6,000 in 2023-24 and £3,000 from 2024-25 onwards.
CGT Rates
CGT rates depend on two things: the type of asset and your income tax band.2
| Asset type | Basic rate | Higher/Additional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Shares, funds, crypto, etc. | 10% | 20% |
| Residential property | 18% | 24% |
Your main home is usually exempt from CGT via Private Residence Relief.
Which Rate Applies to You?
Your CGT rate depends on your total taxable income (after personal allowance). If your income plus your taxable gain is below the higher-rate threshold (£50,270 for 2026-27), you pay the basic rate. If it goes above, you pay the higher rate on the excess.
For example, if you earn £45,000 (taxable income £32,430) and make a £20,000 gain, £17,840 of the gain is in the basic-rate band (£50,270 − £32,430) and £2,160 is in the higher-rate band.
What Counts as a Capital Gain?
A capital gain is the profit when you sell or dispose of an asset. This includes:3
- Shares in companies (not ISAs)
- Investment funds and unit trusts
- Second homes and buy-to-let property
- Business assets (with potential reliefs)
- Cryptocurrency
- Valuable personal items worth over £6,000 (art, antiques, jewellery)
You can deduct purchase costs, sale costs (agent fees, legal fees), and improvement costs (but not maintenance) from the gain.
Reporting and Payment
If your total gains are above £3,000, or proceeds (sale value) are more than 4 times the allowance (£12,000), you must report them on a Self Assessment tax return. For residential property, you must also report and pay CGT within 60 days of completion.
Read more: What is capital gains tax?
Related Guides
Sources
- HMRC, Capital Gains Tax allowances, accessed 15 May 2026.
- HMRC, Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances 2026-27, accessed 15 May 2026.
- HMRC, What you pay Capital Gains Tax on, accessed 15 May 2026.