Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Clear guidance on Capital Gains Tax
Selling a property, shares, or another valuable asset? You may have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) — but with the right advice and planning, you can often reduce the amount you owe.
At Astonian Accountants, we’ll explain CGT in plain English and make sure your return is accurate, compliant, and as tax-efficient as possible.
What is Capital Gains Tax?
CGT is the tax you pay on the profit when you sell (or “dispose of”) an asset that’s increased in value. It’s not the amount you sell for — it’s the gain that matters. Typical assets that can trigger CGT include:
Property (excluding your main home in most cases).
Second homes or buy-to-let properties.
Shares and investments (outside of ISAs or pensions).
Business assets.
High-value personal possessions (e.g. antiques, art, jewellery worth over £6,000).
When do you need to report CGT?
For UK residential property sales, you must report and pay any CGT within 60 days of completion. Missing this deadline can result in penalties and interest.
Other CGT disposals are reported annually via Self Assessment, but accurate records and calculations are key to avoiding errors.
How we help with Capital Gains Tax
Our CGT services are designed to save you money and stress. We provide:
Accurate CGT calculations – factoring in purchase price, sale price, and all allowable costs (solicitor fees, stamp duty, estate agent fees, improvements).
Reliefs and allowances advice – including:
Annual CGT allowance (£3,000 for 2024/25)
Private Residence Relief (PRR)
Lettings Relief (where eligible)
Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs’ Relief)
Property disposal returns – filing your 60-day CGT return with HMRC on time.
Tax planning strategies – helping you structure disposals across tax years to minimise liability.
Support for complex cases – such as inherited assets, jointly owned property, or sales involving overseas assets.
Why choose Astonian Accountants for CGT?
Clarity in a complex area – CGT rules can be tricky, but we break them down into clear steps.
Proactive tax saving – we don’t just calculate your liability, we look for ways to reduce it.
Deadline management – we’ll make sure nothing slips through the cracks, especially the 60-day property reporting rule.
Local expertise – whether you’re a landlord in Bristol, a business owner in South Wales, or selling investments, we’re on hand to help.
Example scenarios we handle
Selling a second home — calculating gain, claiming Private Residence Relief for time lived there, and filing the 60-day return. Equally, we have helped accidental second home owners through inheritance with their CGT.
Disposing of a rental property in— factoring in improvement costs and mortgage fees to reduce liability.
Selling shares in a family business — checking eligibility for Business Asset Disposal Relief at the 10% rate.
Key benefits of our support
Peace of mind that your return is correct
Reduced risk of penalties
Tax saved through reliefs and allowances
Time back to focus on what matters to you
Don’t get caught out
With the rules tightening and HMRC increasing scrutiny, it’s never been more important to get CGT right. One small mistake can mean paying thousands more than necessary — or facing fines.
Contact Astonian Accountants today for a free consultation about your CGT obligations.