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UK Tax Planning and CGT Strategy Specialists

Proactive Tax Planning and Advice to Reduce Your Capital Gains Tax

Specialist CGT and tax planning advice for individuals, investors, and business owners. We identify every legal opportunity to reduce your tax bill — before and after asset disposal — using HMRC-approved strategies.

HMRC Compliant
ACCA
2026/27 Tax Strategies
Manchester and Nationwide
Award-Winning Tax Advice
Why Tax Planning Matters

The Difference Between Reactive and Proactive Tax Planning

Most people only think about CGT after they have sold an asset and receive a tax bill. But the biggest tax savings come from planning before a disposal — sometimes years in advance. The difference between reactive and proactive tax planning can be tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Our Manchester-based tax planning specialists work with clients throughout the year — not just at tax return time. We identify upcoming disposals, analyse your overall tax position, and implement strategies that use every available HMRC-approved relief before they are needed.

From spousal transfers and ISA sheltering to EIS investments and business restructuring, we create personalised annual tax plans that ensure you are never surprised by an avoidable CGT bill.

Key CGT Planning Opportunities

Annual Exempt Amount3,000 GBP
ISA Allowance (per year)20,000 GBP
BADR Rate (qualifying gains)18%
EIS CGT DeferralUnlimited
Spouse TransferNo CGT
SEIS Reinvestment Exemption50%
Business Property Relief (IHT)100%
Our Tax Planning Services

Comprehensive Tax Planning for Every Situation

Annual CGT Review

We review your entire asset portfolio annually, identifying disposals planned for the year and modelling different timing strategies to minimise your CGT liability.

Spousal Transfer Planning

Transferring assets between spouses or civil partners at no gain, no loss allows you to use both annual exempt amounts and lower-rate tax bands — a highly effective CGT planning tool.

Loss Harvesting Strategy

We identify unrealised losses in your portfolio and advise on crystallising them to offset existing gains — reducing your CGT bill without materially changing your investment position.

EIS and SEIS Investment Advice

Investing in EIS-qualifying companies allows you to defer capital gains indefinitely. SEIS investments provide 50% CGT exemption on reinvested gains. We advise on these strategies as part of your overall CGT plan.

Business Exit Planning

Planning your business exit 2-3 years in advance allows time to ensure BADR eligibility, structure earn-outs, and optimise your overall CGT position across the entire transaction.

Estate and IHT Integration

CGT and IHT planning are deeply intertwined — we integrate your CGT strategy with your estate planning to optimise both taxes across generations.

Tax Planning Strategies

Our HMRC-Approved CGT Reduction Strategies

Short-Term Strategies

  • Use annual CGT exempt amount (3,000 GBP) every year
  • Transfer assets to spouse before disposal
  • Crystallise capital losses to offset gains
  • Bed and ISA — shelter future gains tax-free
  • Bed and SIPP — shelter gains in pension
  • Defer disposal to next tax year if already near 45% rate
  • Donate appreciated assets to charity (CGT-free)
  • Gifting to children with lower income

Long-Term Strategies

  • BADR structuring — ensure business qualifies 2 years before sale
  • EIS investment — defer CGT gains indefinitely
  • Build ISA portfolio — 20,000 GBP tax-free per year
  • Pension contributions to reduce taxable income
  • Business property relief structuring for IHT and CGT
  • Trust planning for family asset transfers
  • Rollover relief on business asset reinvestments
  • Investors Relief on qualifying unlisted company shares
Our Process

How We Deliver Your Tax Planning

1

Tax Position Review

We review your complete tax position — income, assets, gains, and planned disposals — to identify all planning opportunities.

2

Strategy Development

We develop a bespoke tax plan using every available HMRC-approved strategy to legally reduce your CGT and income tax liability.

3

Implementation

We implement your tax plan — making transfers, filing elections, advising on timing, and coordinating with your other advisers.

4

Annual Review

Tax laws change. We review your plan annually to ensure it remains optimal and adapts to HMRC rule changes and your changing circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tax Planning Questions Answered

What is the most effective way to reduce CGT in the UK?
The most effective legal strategies to reduce CGT include: using your annual exempt amount (3,000 GBP) every year without carrying it over; transferring assets to a lower-income spouse before disposal; sheltering assets in ISAs and SIPPs; crystallising capital losses; deferring gains via EIS investments; and — for business owners — qualifying for BADR at 18%. The right strategy depends on your specific situation and we advise on a personalised basis.
Is it legal to transfer assets to my spouse to reduce CGT?
Yes. Transfers between spouses and civil partners are treated as no gain, no loss for CGT purposes — meaning there is no immediate CGT on the transfer. The recipient takes over the original cost base. This strategy allows you to use both partners' annual exempt amounts and lower-rate tax bands, potentially halving your CGT bill on a disposal. HMRC accepts this as legitimate tax planning provided the transfer is genuine.
How does EIS investment reduce CGT?
Investing in an EIS-qualifying company allows you to defer a capital gain made in the year before, the year of, or the 3 years after the EIS investment. The deferred gain is only brought back into charge when you dispose of the EIS shares. If you hold EIS shares for 3 years, any gain on the EIS investment itself is also exempt from CGT. This is one of the most powerful CGT deferral tools available in the UK.
Can I reduce CGT by making pension contributions?
Indirectly, yes. Pension contributions reduce your adjusted net income, which determines whether you are a basic rate or higher rate taxpayer. If making a pension contribution brings you into the basic rate band, your CGT rate on assets other than residential property reduces from 24% to 18%. This can save significant tax on large gains. We model the interaction of pension contributions and CGT as part of your annual tax plan.
What is bed and ISA and how does it reduce CGT?
Bed and ISA involves selling shares held outside an ISA and immediately repurchasing the same shares inside a Stocks and Shares ISA. Any future gains on the ISA-wrapped shares are completely exempt from CGT. The sale may trigger a small gain or loss, but all future appreciation is sheltered. You can do this with up to 20,000 GBP per person per year (the annual ISA allowance). We advise on timing to minimise any CGT triggered by the initial sale.

Start Your Personalised Tax Planning Today

Manchester's leading CGT and tax planning specialists. Proactive planning that saves you money every year.

Tax Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute personalised financial or tax advice. Tax strategies depend on individual circumstances. UK CGT rates and reliefs are based on 2026/27 HMRC guidelines and subject to change. Always seek qualified professional advice before implementing any tax planning strategy. Capital Gains Tax Expert is a UK-registered tax advisory firm.
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