Capital Gains Tax on £20,000
After the £3,000 annual exemption, your taxable gain is £17,000. CGT ranges from £1,700 to £4,080 depending on asset type and income.
CGT on £20,000 by Asset Type & Tax Band
Small Gain - Consider Timing
After the £3,000 exemption, your taxable gain is £17,000. For smaller gains, timing can be key.
- • Split the sale across tax years to use two exemptions
- • Transfer to spouse to use their exemption (£6,000 total)
- • Deduct allowable costs: legal fees, improvements, estate agent fees
Asset Details
Calculate CGT for 2025/26
Determines if basic or higher CGT rate applies
Capital Gains Tax
Property • 24.0% effective rate
What You Keep After CGT
Property Sale (Higher Rate)
Share Sale (Higher Rate)
Real-World Example
Property: Buy-to-Let Sale
You bought a rental property for £250,000 and sold it for £270,000, making a £20,000 gain. As a higher rate taxpayer:
• Sale price: £270,000
• Purchase price: £250,000
• Gain: £20,000
• CGT due: £4,080
⚠️ Report and pay within 60 days of completion
CGT on £20,000 Property Gain
For a £20,000 gain on a second home or buy-to-let property, you'll pay £3,060 (basic rate taxpayer) or £4,080 (higher rate taxpayer). Remember to report and pay within 60 days of completion.
CGT on £20,000 Share Profit
For £20,000 profit on shares or investments, CGT is lower: £1,700 (basic rate) or £3,400 (higher rate). Gains within ISAs are completely tax-free.
💡 Reduce Your CGT Bill
- • Use your £3,000 annual exemption (already applied above)
- • Transfer assets to your spouse to use their exemption too
- • Offset losses from other disposals against gains
- • Deduct allowable costs: legal fees, agent fees, improvements
- • Time sales across tax years to maximise exemptions