Skip to content

UK Capital Gains Tax Calculator 2026/27: what will you pay on your gains?

Enter your income, your gains and your losses for the tax year from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027: the calculator deducts the £3,000 annual exempt amount and splits your gains between the 18% and 24% rates according to your income band.

Your income
Salary, pension, dividends, rent: before tax
Your gains in 2026/27
Sale price minus purchase price and costs
Plus losses brought forward

Results

Capital Gains Tax to pay
£3,060.00
Effective rate on your gains
15.3%
Taxable gains
£17,000.00
Taxed at 18%
£17,000.00
Taxed at 24%
£0.00
Annual exempt amount used
£3,000.00
Unused basic rate band
£20,270.00
Losses to carry forward
£0.00

Capital Gains Tax £3,060.00See details ↓

How Capital Gains Tax is worked out in 2026/27

You pay Capital Gains Tax when you sell or give away an asset that has increased in value: shares and funds held outside an ISA or pension, crypto, a second home or a buy-to-let property, or business assets. The tax is on the gain, not on the sale price. HMRC's method has five steps, which the calculator follows:

  1. Work out your taxable income: your income minus your Personal Allowance (£12,570, reduced above £100,000 of income).
  2. Add up your gains for the tax year and deduct your losses.
  3. Deduct the annual exempt amount of £3,000.
  4. Add the remaining gains to your taxable income.
  5. The part that falls within the basic rate band (£37,700 of taxable income) is taxed at 18%; the part above at 24%.

Worked examples

A basic rate taxpayer. With a £30,000 income and a £20,000 gain on shares, taxable income is £17,430, leaving £20,270 of basic rate band. After the £3,000 allowance, the £17,000 taxable gain fits in the band and is taxed at 18%: £3,060.00.

Straddling the bands. With a £45,000 income, only £5,270 of the band is left: £5,270 is taxed at 18% and £11,730 at 24%, for £3,763.80.

A higher rate taxpayer. With an £80,000 income, the whole £17,000 taxable gain is taxed at 24%: £4,080.00.

Using losses. If the basic rate taxpayer also sold another holding at an £8,000 loss, the net gain falls to £12,000 and the tax to £1,620.00, a saving of £1,440.00.

Ways to pay less Capital Gains Tax

  • Use your annual exempt amount every year. Selling enough each tax year to realise £3,000 of gains, then buying back inside an ISA ("Bed and ISA"), gradually shelters your portfolio.
  • Use your spouse's allowance and band. Assets can be transferred between spouses and civil partners free of CGT, so each can use their own £3,000 and, where relevant, a lower rate.
  • Time your sales. Spreading a large disposal over two tax years (before and after 5 April) doubles the allowance and may use two basic rate bands.
  • Pay into your pension. Personal pension contributions extend your basic rate band, so more of your gains can be taxed at 18%.
  • Claim your losses. Report losses to HMRC, even in years when you have no gains, so they can be carried forward.

What the calculator does not include

The calculator estimates CGT for an individual on gains already calculated. It does not compute the gain itself (share pooling, the same-day and 30-day rules), reliefs such as Business Asset Disposal Relief, Investors' Relief, Private Residence Relief or gift hold-over relief, or the rules for trustees and non-residents. Gift Aid and pension contributions that extend your basic rate band are not included either.

Also receiving dividends? Use the UK dividend tax calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Capital Gains Tax rates for 2026/27?

Gains that fall within your unused basic rate band are taxed at 18%; the rest at 24%. Higher and additional rate taxpayers pay 24% on all their taxable gains. Since 6 April 2025, the same rates apply to shares, funds, crypto and residential property.

How much can I make before paying Capital Gains Tax?

The annual exempt amount is £3,000 per person in 2026/27. Net gains up to that amount are tax-free, and spouses or civil partners each have their own allowance. The allowance cannot be carried forward if you do not use it.

Do capital gains push me into the higher rate?

Capital gains are added on top of your taxable income only to decide which CGT rate applies. They never change the income tax on your salary, and they do not reduce your Personal Allowance.

How do capital losses work?

Losses made in the same tax year are deducted from your gains first, even if this wastes part of your £3,000 allowance. Losses you cannot use are carried forward to later years, where they are only used to bring gains down to the annual exempt amount. You must report a loss to HMRC within four years of the end of the tax year to be able to use it.

When do I have to report and pay Capital Gains Tax?

For shares and other investments, report gains on your Self Assessment return and pay by 31 January after the end of the tax year (31 January 2028 for 2026/27). You must report even if no tax is due when your total sale proceeds exceed £50,000. Gains on UK residential property must be reported and paid within 60 days of completion.

Do I pay Capital Gains Tax on shares in an ISA or a pension?

No. Gains made inside a Stocks and Shares ISA, a Lifetime ISA, a SIPP or a workplace pension are exempt and do not need to be reported. Selling your main home is also usually exempt thanks to Private Residence Relief.

Sources

Rates and thresholds checked on 11 October 2026.

Educational tool: not financial, tax or investment advice. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you enter and on official rates at the date shown. Investments can fall as well as rise. For decisions about your own situation, speak to a qualified adviser or tax professional. Read the full disclaimer.