UK Capital Gains Tax 2025-26
CGT rates, annual allowance, and take-home calculations for every gain size and income level. Covers residential property and shares for 2025-26 (6 April 2025 – 5 April 2026).
2025-26 CGT rates & allowance
Residential Property CGT 2025-26
CGT rates on residential property: 18% (basic rate band) and 24% (higher rate band). Applies to second homes, buy-to-let, and investment properties — not your main residence (covered by Private Residence Relief).
£5,000 property gain
£10,000 property gain
£15,000 property gain
£20,000 property gain
£25,000 property gain
£30,000 property gain
£40,000 property gain
£50,000 property gain
£75,000 property gain
£100,000 property gain
£150,000 property gain
£200,000 property gain
£300,000 property gain
Shares & Other Assets CGT 2025-26
CGT rates on shares and other assets (excluding residential property): 10% (basic rate band) and 20% (higher rate band). Applies to stocks, funds, ETFs, crypto, and most other chargeable assets.
£5,000 shares gain
£10,000 shares gain
£15,000 shares gain
£20,000 shares gain
£25,000 shares gain
£30,000 shares gain
£40,000 shares gain
£50,000 shares gain
£75,000 shares gain
£100,000 shares gain
£150,000 shares gain
£200,000 shares gain
£300,000 shares gain
How Capital Gains Tax works in the UK (2025-26)
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is charged on the profit you make when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value. You only pay CGT on your gain — not the full sale proceeds. Every individual has an annual CGT allowance of £3,000 for 2025-26, meaning the first £3,000 of gains each tax year is completely tax-free.
The rate of CGT you pay depends on two things: the type of asset and your total taxable income for the year. Residential property (second homes, buy-to-let) is taxed at higher rates than shares and other assets.
Gains are added on top of your income. If your total income plus gain stays within the basic rate band (up to £50,270), the lower CGT rate applies to the gain. Any portion of the gain that pushes you above £50,270 is taxed at the higher rate. This means a basic rate taxpayer can face two CGT rates on a single gain if it straddles the threshold.
CGT is not automatically deducted at source. You need to report gains to HMRC via Self Assessment (or via the UK Property Reporting Service within 60 days for residential property sales). Gains above the £3,000 allowance must be reported even if no tax is due.
Assets held in an ISA or SIPP are exempt from CGT. Your main home is usually exempt under Private Residence Relief. Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) reduces CGT to 10% on qualifying business sales (up to a lifetime limit of £1 million).