Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Advisory Services
Strategic Capital Gains Tax Planning & Compliance for Individuals and Businesses
At McRock Berkeley, we provide tailored CGT advisory for property disposals, business asset sales, crypto gains, share transactions, and overseas investments — ensuring your gains are reported correctly and your tax exposure is optimised.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax levied in the United Kingdom on the profit made when individuals or entities dispose of an asset that has increased in value. It is not the entire sale price that is taxed, but rather the gain — the difference between the acquisition cost (including certain associated expenses) and the disposal value. CGT is most commonly associated with the sale of residential properties that are not the seller’s main home, shares and investments held outside of tax-advantaged accounts like ISAs, business assets, valuable personal possessions such as art or antiques, and digital assets such as cryptocurrency.
The rate of tax applied depends on the taxpayer’s overall income and the type of asset being disposed of, with higher rates typically applied to residential property gains. While the UK tax system provides a tax-free annual CGT allowance, gains exceeding this amount must be reported and taxed accordingly. In certain scenarios, such as gifts to others (excluding spouses or civil partners), transfers to trusts, or inheritance arrangements, CGT may also apply due to the principle of ‘deemed disposal.’ Moreover, non-residents disposing of UK residential property may also have CGT obligations through the Non-Resident Capital Gains Tax (NRCGT) regime. Due to the wide variety of reliefs, exemptions, and timing strategies that can affect CGT calculations, understanding the underlying framework is essential for effective personal and business financial planning.
Who We Help With Capital Gain Tax
• Guidance through initial PAYE setup and RTI compliance
• Building payroll systems from the ground up
• Monthly, weekly, or fortnightly payroll processing
• Tax code updates, bonus payments, and statutory leave handling
• Overseas companies employing UK-based workers
• UK payroll registration, processing, and tax compliance
• Umbrella firms and contractor-based businesses
• Payroll tax compliance across multiple employment models
• Businesses with on-site, part-time, or mobile workers
• Complex scheduling and pension enrolment support
• Payroll for high-turnover and seasonal staff
• Real-time processing for variable hours and holiday pay
• CIS and PAYE side-by-side processing
• Subcontractor verifications and tax deduction submissions
• Payroll for fee earners and partners
• Director tax planning and dividend vs salary structuring
Why Choose Us
McRock Berkeley is not just a tax agent — we are a strategic VAT partner for businesses that want clarity, compliance, and commercial advantage.
End-to-End VAT Support
From registration to monthly filings and advanced planning — we handle every aspect of VAT so you can focus on your business.
Advisory-Driven, Not Just Reactive
We advise proactively, identifying opportunities for savings, structuring, and risk reduction before problems arise.
Industry-Specific Expertise
Our consultants understand VAT within the context of your sector — including retail, construction, digital, finance, property, and healthcare.
Expertise in Partial Exemption
One of the trickiest areas of VAT — we build precise models to maximise recovery and defend them in case of HMRC review.
Full Cross-Border Capability
From EU VAT structuring to imports, exports, and non-resident registration — we help you navigate global VAT with confidence.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) Experts
We integrate your accounting software with HMRC systems and train your team to stay compliant in a digital-first tax environment.
Strategic Support for Property Developers & Landlords
We manage complex commercial/residential VAT issues, zero-rating, option-to-tax registrations, and VAT-SDLT overlap matters.
Reverse Charge & Construction VAT Compliance
We assist developers and trades in applying the Domestic Reverse Charge correctly, avoiding the costly cash flow and penalty pitfalls.
HMRC Liaison & Dispute Management
Our consultants represent your interests in front of HMRC — from negotiating penalty reductions to responding to VAT assessments.
Transparent Pricing with Scalable Packages
We offer fixed-fee pricing for startups, SMEs, and large firms — with scalable support that grows as your business does.
Integrated With Your Finance Team
Whether you use Sage, Xero, Zoho, or another platform, we work directly with your internal finance staff to streamline VAT processing and reduce admin overhead.
McRock Berkeleyensures your CGT position is calculated accurately and in accordance with HMRC rules. We:
Review the sale price, acquisition cost, and all enhancement expenses
Factor in legal fees, stamp duty, and transactional costs
Apply all relevant exemptions, such as annual CGT allowance and spousal transfers
Complete the appropriate HMRC CGT return or include the gain in your self-assessment
Whether it’s a one-time property sale or part of a broader portfolio restructure, we ensure every detail is recorded and declared properly.
If you’re selling a UK residential property that’s not your main home, you must report and pay CGT within 60 days of the sale completion. We:
Prepare and file 60-day returns on your behalf
Ensure Private Residence Relief and lettings relief are claimed if applicable
Calculate tax due and submit payment instructions to HMRC
Advise on capital improvements that may be deductible
This is especially critical for landlords, second-home owners, and non-residents with UK assets.
Our Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Advisory Services
Business Asset Disposal & Share Sale Planning
Selling a business or shares can trigger major CGT implications. We guide you through:
- Eligibility and application for Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)
- Timing the sale to align with allowances and personal income
- Structuring share sales, including management buyouts and earn-outs
- Share-for-share exchanges and rollover relief planning
Whether you’re exiting fully or partially, our planning ensures minimal tax leakage and full HMRC compliance.
Cryptocurrency & Digital Asset CGT Support
Crypto gains are taxable, and HMRC expects detailed records. We:
- Calculate capital gains from buying, selling, swapping, and gifting crypto
- Reconstruct missing data using API integrations and wallet history
- Separate income (staking/mining) from capital gains
- Provide tax reports acceptable for inclusion in self-assessment or voluntary disclosure
This is especially useful for long-term investors and high-frequency traders.
Gifting, Inheritance & Intergenerational Transfers
Many clients assume gifting assets avoids tax — but CGT often still applies. We help:
- Plan inter-family gifts with holdover or rollover relief where applicable
- Calculate gains on lifetime gifts of property or shares
- Navigate the overlap between CGT and Inheritance Tax (IHT)
- Apply tax-deferral techniques to preserve family wealth
We support you in structuring gifts that are both generous and tax-smart.
Non-Resident CGT (NRCGT) & International Clients
If you’re based overseas and selling UK assets, you may still owe CGT. We:
- Register and file NRCGT returns within HMRC deadlines
- Calculate tax due after applying double tax treaty (DTT) relief
- Support offshore trusts, joint ownerships, and repatriation strategy
- Ensure compliance without triggering unintended UK tax residency exposure
This is critical for clients with global footprints and cross-border asset holdings.
McRock Berkeley offers complete CGT optimisation for those managing multiple properties. We:
- Review cost basis and enhancement history across properties
- Advise on staggered disposals to maximise allowances
- Apply reliefs such as PPR (Private Residence Relief) where eligible
- Help restructure ownership to mitigate future CGT impact
This service is ideal for landlords preparing to sell or hand over their portfolio.
If you’ve missed a CGT return or underreported a gain, we help you get back on track. We:
- Quantify undeclared gains and reconstruct cost base
- Prepare voluntary disclosure reports and negotiate penalties
- Represent you in HMRC investigations and enquiries
- Protect your credibility while settling past liabilities efficiently
Common Capital Gain Tax Mistakes We Help Fix
Not registering with HMRC as a landlord
Failing to report rental income (even if it’s a family let)
Paying the higher SDLT rate unnecessarily
Missing 60-day CGT reporting deadlines
Not understanding difference between personal and company ownership
Ignoring VAT implications on renovations or mixed-use properties
Overlooking Inheritance Tax exposure on property assets
We don’t just fix problems — we future-proof your property tax position.
FAQs
1. When do I pay Capital Gains Tax in the UK?
You pay CGT when you dispose of an asset that has increased in value. This includes sales, gifts, transfers, or exchanges of property, shares, or digital assets.
2. What is the current CGT rate?
The rate depends on your income tax band. Basic-rate taxpayers usually pay 10% (or 18% on residential property), while higher-rate taxpayers pay 20% (or 24% on residential property gains).
3. How much is the CGT allowance?
As of 2024–25, the annual CGT exemption is £3,000 per individual. You only pay CGT on gains above this threshold.
4. Do I have to pay CGT on my main home?
No — most primary residences are exempt under Private Residence Relief (PPR). We ensure you claim it correctly and avoid unnecessary tax.
5. What is a 60-day CGT return?
It’s a mandatory report for UK residential property sales (not your main home) submitted within 60 days of completion. We handle this for you to avoid penalties.
6. Do I pay CGT on cryptocurrency gains?
Yes — if you profit from selling, swapping, or gifting crypto, HMRC requires a CGT declaration. We calculate and report it for you accurately.
7. What if I give an asset to a family member?
Gifts are treated as disposals at market value for CGT purposes. We can apply holdover relief in some cases to defer tax until a future sale.
8. Can I reduce my CGT liability?
Yes — through timing, allowances, reliefs like BADR, and ownership structuring. Our planning identifies every opportunity to reduce or defer your tax bill.
9. What is Business Asset Disposal Relief?
BADR (formerly Entrepreneurs’ Relief) allows qualifying business owners to pay just 10% CGT on lifetime gains up to £1 million. We assess eligibility and ensure the right documentation.
10. Do I pay CGT if I’m not a UK resident?
Possibly — especially on UK property. We file NRCGT returns and apply treaty relief where possible to reduce or eliminate double taxation.
11. Can I offset CGT losses?
Yes — unused capital losses from current or previous years can offset gains. We review your history and apply loss claims correctly.
12. Do I pay CGT on inherited property?
No, CGT is not due on inheritance itself — only when the asset is later sold and has increased in value since probate valuation.
13. What if I missed a CGT return?
We can submit late returns and negotiate reduced penalties through HMRC’s voluntary disclosure process — ensuring your compliance is restored.
14. Can couples reduce CGT by sharing ownership?
Yes — spouses can transfer assets between themselves tax-free to spread gains across two allowances and potentially lower tax bands.
15. Can McRock Berkeley manage all CGT aspects for me?
Yes — from planning and calculation to reporting and HMRC defence, we provide a complete CGT solution tailored to your situation.