How Much Capital Gains Tax Will I Pay in the UK? (Our 2026 Guide)

If you’re asking “how much Capital Gains Tax will I pay?” chances are you’ve sold — or are about to sell — something valuable. A property, shares, crypto, or another asset, and now HMRC wants its share. The frustrating part? Most people only realise how complex CGT really is once they try to calculate it.

CGT rates vary depending on:

• what you sold

• your total income

• whether reliefs apply

and whether HMRC agrees with your calculation

In this 2026 UK Capital Gains Tax guide, we’ll break down:

• When you're liable to pay CGT.

• current CGT rates

• how to calculate what you owe

An Introduction To CGT

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is the tax you pay on the profit (the “gain”) you make when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value.

You may need to pay CGT when selling:

• a second home or rental property

• shares or investments

• cryptocurrency

• land or business assets

CGT is not charged on the full sale price — only on the gain, after allowable deductions and reliefs.

What Is Capital Gains Tax?

The rates below reflect current UK CGT rules expected to apply in 2026. HMRC can change thresholds and allowances, so professional advice is essential for accurate calculations.

CGT Rates for 2026

Asset Type

Shares & investments Basic Rate Taxpayer = 10% Higher Rate/Additional Rate Taxpayer = 20%

Residential property Basic Rate Taxpayer = 18% Higher Rate/Additional Rate Taxpayer = 24%

Your CGT rate depends on your total taxable income, not just the gain itself.

Capital Gains Tax Rates in the UK (2026)

Most individuals receive an annual CGT allowance, meaning you can make gains up to this amount before CGT applies.

Annual Exempt Amount: £3,000 per individual (based on current rules)

Anything above this allowance may be taxable.

Married couples and civil partners can often combine allowances with proper planning — something calculators rarely handle correctly.

What Is the CGT Allowance in 2026?

The basic formula looks simple:

Sale price – purchase price – allowable costs – CGT allowance = taxable gain

But in reality, this is where most mistakes happen.

Allowable costs can include:

• purchase costs (e.g. stamp duty, legal fees)

• selling costs (estate agents, solicitors)

• capital improvement costs (not maintenance)

Reliefs may apply, such as:

• Private Residence Relief

• Lettings Relief

• Business Asset Disposal Relief

Miss one of these and you could overpay CGT by thousands.

How Do I Calculate Capital Gains Tax?

UK property sales: CGT must usually be reported and paid within 60 days

Other assets: Reported via your Self Assessment return

• Missing deadlines can trigger:

• automatic penalties

• interest charges

• HMRC investigations

CGT Deadlines You Can't Afford to Miss

If you’re dealing with:

• property sales

• large gains

• inheritance or gifting

• overseas assets

• or missed deadlines

then getting your CGT wrong can be very expensive.

👉 At CapitalGainsTax.co.uk by The Tax Faculty we provide accurate, HMRC-compliant Capital Gains Tax calculations — and help reduce what you legally owe.

Speak to a CGT specialist today and get peace of mind before submitting anything to HMRC.

So, how much Capital Gains Tax will you pay in the UK in 2026? The honest answer is: it depends — and the details matter more than most people realise.

Rates, allowances, reliefs, and timing all affect the final figure. A small mistake can mean overpaying tax or facing penalties later.

If you want certainty — and not guesswork — professional CGT support is the safest route.

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