Capital gains

Capital gains

You keep

£15,936

of a £20,000 gain · CGT bill £4,064 · effective 20.3%

2026/27 rates · Last checked · Sources in page details

Quick estimate. If you have multiple buys and sells for the same holding, use the Share & Fund CGT calculator instead. It does the HMRC same-day, 30-day and Section 104 pool matching for you.

Gain breakdown

20.3% effective
Net to you

£15,936

AEA exempt

£3,000

CGT 18%

£49

CGT 24%

£4,015

How the gain is taxed

The gain stacks on top of your income for band determination.

£0£20,000

Total CGT £4,064

Split across two tax years?

Two AEAs of £3,000 means selling half before 6 April and half after could save tax.

Sell now (single tax year)

£4,064

Split across two years

£3,328

Splitting saves £736 by using two annual exempt amounts.

Where your tax goes

on £4,064 capital gains tax

This is an estimate. The government does not set aside your exact tax for these areas.

21%

£866

Welfare

≈ 12 weeks of welfare per citizen

21%

£849

Health

≈ 87 days of NHS care (per citizen)

12%

£484

State Pensions

≈ 2 weeks of state pension

11%

£439

National Debt Interest

10%

£419

Education

≈ 11 school days funded

6%

£224

Defence

See the full UK budget →

+ £788 across public order & safety, transport, business & industry and 6 more

Estimates onlyShow

Calculations use HMRC published rates for education and illustration. They are not regulated financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify against your own tax position before filing or making financial decisions.

More guides and tools

2 related links

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Background reading

7 min read

Capital gains tax on shares

When you owe, how much, and the wrappers and tricks that change the answer.

Where does it all go?

UK public spending 2024/25, line by line

£1.29 trillion across 15 categories, welfare, NHS, debt interest, defence, the lot.

Background reading

Capital Gains Tax in the UK

Show

CGT is paid on profits from selling assets: shares, crypto, second homes, business interests and more. October 2024 reforms raised the rates to 18% and 24% across most asset types, while keeping the £3,000 annual exempt amount.

  • What is the UK Capital Gains Tax allowance for 2026/27?

    The annual exempt amount is £3,000. Gains above that are taxable. The allowance can't be carried forward: if you don't use it in a tax year, you lose it.

  • What CGT rates apply for 2026/27?

    Gains on shares, crypto and other assets are taxed at 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher/additional). Residential property has used 18%/24% since the October 2024 reform. Business Asset Disposal Relief is now 18% on the first £1m of qualifying lifetime gains, raised in stages from the historic 10% (10% → 14% in April 2025 → 18% from April 2026).

  • Can I split a gain across two tax years to save tax?

    Yes. Selling part of an asset before 6 April and the rest after gives you two £3,000 annual allowances. The Afterax CGT calculator shows the saving when this strategy applies to your gain.

  • What is the 60-day reporting rule for property?

    Disposals of UK residential property must be reported and the CGT paid within 60 days of completion using HMRC's Capital Gains Tax on UK Property service, which is separate from Self Assessment.

  • How does the 30-day rule affect crypto and shares?

    If you sell shares or cryptocurrency and buy back the same asset within 30 days, the new acquisition cost is matched against the disposal, preventing 'bed and breakfasting' to crystallise losses.