Skip links
GET A FREE CGT CONSULTATION
Capital Gains Tax Experts
UK Shares & Investments CGT Specialists

Capital Gains Tax on Shares & Investments — Expert UK Advice

Specialist CGT advice for investors, traders, and shareholders. We handle listed shares, ETFs, unit trusts, ISA transfers, crypto, and complex share portfolios — ensuring you pay the minimum tax legally required.

Transparent fixed-fee pricing — quoted upfront, no surprises
GET FREE CONSULTATION +44 (0)1204 859315
HMRC Compliant
ACCA
2026/27 Tax Rates
Manchester & Nationwide
Portfolio CGT Specialists
Understanding Shares CGT

CGT on Shares & Investments in the UK (2026/27)

When you sell shares, investment funds, or other financial assets at a profit, you may have to pay Capital Gains Tax. In 2026/27, gains from shares are taxed at 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate), after deducting your £3,000 annual exempt amount.

Calculating CGT on shares is complicated by HMRC's share identification rules — the 30-day same-day rule, the bed & breakfast rule, and the Section 104 pool average cost method. Getting these wrong leads to either overpaying tax or HMRC penalties.

Our Manchester-based specialists handle everything from simple share sales to complex portfolios with hundreds of transactions, employee share schemes, fund switches, and multi-currency holdings. We ensure every available relief — from the annual exempt amount to ISA transfers — is correctly applied.

2026/27 CGT Rates on Shares

Basic Rate (Shares)18%
Higher Rate (Shares)24%
Annual Exempt Amount£3,000
ISA GainsTax-Free
SEIS Reinvestment Exemption50% Exempt
EIS Deferral ReliefFull Deferral
Spouse TransferNo CGT
Our Shares CGT Services

Everything You Need to Minimise CGT on Your Investments

Share Portfolio CGT Calculations

Accurate CGT calculations for all listed shares, ETFs, investment trusts, and unit funds using HMRC's share identification rules and Section 104 pool methodology.

Employee Share Schemes

CGT planning for EMI options, CSOP, SAYE, SIP, and unapproved share schemes. We calculate the income tax vs CGT split and ensure correct HMRC reporting.

EIS & SEIS Reliefs

We claim EIS CGT deferral relief and SEIS 50% CGT exemption, and manage loss relief elections for failed EIS/SEIS investments against income or capital gains.

Bed & ISA Strategies

We plan and calculate the CGT impact of bed & ISA (selling shares and buying back inside an ISA) strategies to shelter future gains from tax.

Foreign & Multi-Currency Shares

CGT calculations for US stocks, European ETFs, and multi-currency portfolios, including foreign exchange gain/loss treatment and double taxation relief.

CGT Return Filing

We prepare your self-assessment CGT return, reconcile all transactions, and ensure all reliefs are correctly claimed. We also deal with HMRC enquiries.

Reliefs & Planning

Maximising Your Investment CGT Reliefs

Reliefs We Apply

  • Annual CGT exempt amount (£3,000 in 2026/27)
  • ISA wrapper — completely tax-free gains
  • EIS deferral and SEIS 50% exemption
  • Capital losses — current year and carried forward
  • Spouse/civil partner transfer at no gain/no loss
  • Negligible value claims for worthless shares
  • Bed & ISA and Bed & SIPP strategies
  • Gift to charity — CGT-free disposal

Investments We Handle

  • UK and international listed shares
  • Unit trusts, OEICs, and investment trusts
  • ETFs and index funds
  • Employee share options (EMI, CSOP, SAYE)
  • EIS, SEIS, and VCT investments
  • Unlisted private company shares
  • Bonds and gilts (where taxable)
  • Cryptocurrency (treated as capital asset)
Our Process

How We Handle Your Shares CGT

1

Portfolio Review

We review all your share disposals and portfolio statements for the tax year, identifying every gain and loss.

2

CGT Calculation

We apply HMRC's share identification rules, Section 104 pool, and all available reliefs to calculate your exact CGT liability.

3

Tax Planning

We recommend strategies to reduce future CGT — ISA sheltering, loss harvesting, spousal transfers, and EIS/SEIS investments.

4

HMRC Filing

We prepare and file your self-assessment return, handle any HMRC queries, and ensure on-time submission.

Who We Help

Shares & Investment CGT for All Investors

Private Investors

Whether you hold a simple share ISA or a complex multi-asset portfolio, we calculate your CGT accurately and identify every relief available.

Company Employees with Share Options

EMI, CSOP, or SAYE options? We handle the income tax on exercise and CGT on disposal — ensuring correct reporting and minimal combined tax liability.

Active Traders

High-volume share traders with dozens or hundreds of transactions per year — we reconcile all trades, apply share identification rules, and file accurately.

EIS & SEIS Investors

Investing in early-stage startups through EIS or SEIS? We ensure you claim all available CGT reliefs and manage loss relief properly.

Executors & Beneficiaries

Inheriting shares? We calculate CGT on estate and post-probate share disposals, applying the uplift to market value at date of death correctly.

Non-UK Residents with UK Shares

Non-residents holding UK shares may still have CGT obligations in certain scenarios — we advise on UK-source CGT and double tax treaty positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shares CGT Questions Answered

How is CGT calculated on UK shares?
CGT on shares = (Sale proceeds) minus (Allowable costs: original purchase price + dealing costs) minus (Annual exempt amount: £3,000 in 2026/27). The resulting gain is taxed at 18% if you're a basic rate taxpayer, or 24% if higher rate. HMRC's share identification rules determine which shares are deemed to be sold when you have multiple purchases of the same company.
What are the HMRC share identification rules?
HMRC applies a specific order for identifying which shares are sold: (1) Same-day purchases are matched first, (2) Purchases within the next 30 days are matched, (3) All remaining shares are pooled in the "Section 104 pool" at average cost. This prevents bed & breakfast tax avoidance — you must wait 30 days before buying back shares you've sold to realise a gain or loss.
Do I pay CGT on shares held in an ISA?
No. Gains on shares held inside a Stocks and Shares ISA are completely exempt from CGT. This makes ISA sheltering one of the most effective CGT planning tools. The current ISA allowance is £20,000 per year. We advise on bed & ISA strategies — selling shares outside an ISA and repurchasing them inside — to shelter future gains, though the 30-day rule means there's a timing risk.
How do I report CGT on shares to HMRC?
Share disposals are reported through your Self Assessment tax return (SA100 and SA108 Capital Gains Summary pages). Unlike residential property, you don't need to report share disposals within 60 days — they go on your annual return due by 31 January. However, if your total disposals exceed £50,000 (even if gains are below the exempt amount), you must still file a return.
Can I offset share losses against other gains?
Yes. Capital losses from share disposals can be offset against any capital gains in the same tax year (including property gains). If losses exceed gains in a year, the excess is carried forward indefinitely. Losses must be reported to HMRC within 4 years of the tax year of the loss to preserve them. We track and optimise your loss position annually to minimise your CGT bill.

Get Expert Advice on Your Shares & Investment CGT

Manchester's leading Capital Gains Tax specialists. We handle portfolios of all sizes — from simple share sales to complex multi-asset portfolios.

GET FREE CONSULTATION +44 (0)1204 859315
Tax Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. CGT rates and rules are based on 2026/27 HMRC guidelines and are subject to change. Share CGT depends on individual circumstances. Always seek qualified professional advice before making investment or tax decisions. Capital Gains Tax Expert is a UK-registered tax advisory firm.
GET A FREE CGT CONSULTATION