28 Jan 2026
If you are planning to sell (or have already sold) an asset before 5 April 2026, it is worth taking a moment to check whether Capital Gains Tax (CGT) could apply and whether any simple planning is available before the tax year ends.
Many people only discover a CGT issue after the sale has completed, when it is often too late to reduce the tax cost.
This is exactly the sort of situation where a short advisory review can save stress, prevent surprises and in some cases reduce the final tax bill.
What Counts As “Selling An Asset” For CGT Purposes?
CGT can apply when you dispose of an asset. This includes more than a straightforward sale.
Common examples include:
- Selling shares or investments (including managed portfolios)
- Selling cryptocurrency
- Selling a second property (such as a buy to let or holiday home)
- Selling land, buildings, or part of a property (for example, a garden plot)
- Selling valuable personal items (antiques, artwork, jewellery)
- Transferring assets to someone else, in some cases, even if no money changes hands
- Giving assets away (a gift can still be treated as a disposal)
If you have sold, or plan to sell, any of the above before 5 April 2026, it is worth checking your exposure now.
Why the timing matters
CGT is normally based on the tax year in which the disposal takes place.
That means:
- A sale completed before 5 April 2026 falls into the 2025–26 tax year
- A sale completed on or after 6 April 2026 falls into the 2026–27 tax year
This distinction matters because your:
- annual CGT exemption
- income level (and therefore tax band)
- overall gains and losses position can look quite different between one tax year and the next.
Even a small change in timing can change the tax outcome.
The Most Common CGT “Surprises”
In practice, CGT problems often arise because people assume something is tax free when it is not.
Typical examples include:
“I sold shares, but it was only a small transaction”
It is quite easy to build up gains over time, particularly if the investment has been held for several years.
“I sold crypto, but I did not convert to cash”
CGT can still apply if you swap one crypto asset for another or use crypto to purchase something.
“I sold a second property and assumed the tax would be minimal”
Property gains can be significant, and the reporting rules can be tight for UK residential property.
“I gifted an asset to a family member”
A gift can still create a taxable disposal, based on the market value of the asset at the date of transfer.
“I assumed my overall profit was the only figure that mattered”
CGT is based on gains after deducting the original cost and allowable costs, and reliefs may be available, but only if the numbers are checked properly.
Key Areas Where Advisory Support Adds Real Value
CGT is one of those taxes where small planning steps, taken early enough, can have a real impact. Here are some of the main areas we can review with you.
Checking Your Likely Gain Before You Sell
A quick calculation before completion can confirm:
- whether CGT applies at all
- the likely amount of tax
- whether the gain falls within your remaining tax free exemption
- whether you should delay or split the disposal
Using Reliefs And Allowances Properly
Depending on the asset, and your wider circumstances, there may be opportunities to make use of:
- the CGT annual exemption
- capital losses (current year or brought forward)
- spouse or civil partner planning (in the right circumstances)
- reliefs on business related disposals
- careful timing across tax years
This is not about artificial planning; it is simply about using the rules properly.
Avoiding Reporting And Payment Issues
CGT often has deadlines that catch people out.
If you miss a deadline, penalties and interest can apply even when the gain is modest.
A short advisory review can help you:
- confirm what needs to be reported
- check the deadline and method of reporting
- plan for the tax payment
Common “Planning Points” Before 5 April 2026
If you have not completed the sale yet, there may still be time to consider:
- whether it is better to sell before or after 5 April 2026
- whether to sell the whole asset, or part of it
- whether you can match gains with losses (where suitable)
- whether you can use allowances more efficiently across family members
- whether you are likely to move into a higher tax band this year
None of these steps are automatic, but they are worth checking before the sale date becomes fixed.
A Quick Question That Often Saves A Lot Of Hassle
If you are selling an asset before 5 April 2026, ask yourself:
“Have I checked the Capital Gains Tax position before committing to the sale?”
If the answer is no, it is usually worth getting a short review. In many cases, the earlier the advice is taken, the more options you have.
How We Can Help
We can support you with a straightforward CGT advisory review, which can include:
- an estimate of your expected CGT liability
- a check on exemptions and reliefs you may be entitled to claim
- guidance on the best timing of the disposal (where timing is flexible)
- support with reporting requirements
- practical planning to reduce the risk of future surprises
If you are already working with us for your annual tax return, we can also help you plan ahead so that your CGT position does not become a last minute stress each spring.
Next Step
If you are considering selling assets before 5 April 2026, or if you have already sold something and are unsure whether CGT applies, please get in touch. Call us on 01753 888 211 or email info@nhllp.com, we are here to help.
A short advisory review now can give you clarity, confirm your likely tax position and help you make decisions with confidence.
If you feel this alert could help a business colleague or family member, please feel free to share it with them.
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