For 2025/26 and 2026/27, capital gains tax on shares and most other non-property assets is charged at 18% on gains that fall within your unused basic-rate band and 24% on gains above it. The annual exempt amount is £3,000 in both years. These rates have applied since 30 October 2024. If you are filing a 2025/26 Self Assessment return online, the deadline to file and pay is 31 January 2027.
At a glance
Shares: 18% basic rate, 24% higher and additional rate. Annual exempt amount: £3,000. Income up to £50,270 (the £12,570 personal allowance plus the £37,700 basic-rate band) leaves room for gains at 18%.
Current CGT rates for 2025/26 and 2026/27
| Asset type | Basic rate | Higher / additional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Shares, funds and other assets | 18% | 24% |
| Residential property (not your main home) | 18% | 24% |
| Business Asset Disposal Relief and Investors' Relief | 14% in 2025/26, 18% in 2026/27 | 14% in 2025/26, 18% in 2026/27 |
The share rates are the same in 2025/26 and 2026/27. The only change between the two years in this table is the reduced rate for Business Asset Disposal Relief and Investors' Relief, which rose from 14% to 18% on 6 April 2026.
How your income tax band affects your CGT rate
Your capital gains are added on top of your taxable income. The basic-rate band is £37,700 in 2025/26 and 2026/27, so with the standard £12,570 personal allowance, income up to £50,270 is taxed at the basic rate.
- Taxable gains that fit into your remaining basic-rate band are taxed at 18%.
- Taxable gains above the remaining basic-rate band are taxed at 24%.
The £3,000 annual exempt amount and any capital losses are deducted first. The rate is then applied to what remains.
Worked example: higher-rate taxpayer
Tom earns £70,000 in 2025/26, so he has no basic-rate band left. He sells shares for a gain of £10,000. After the £3,000 annual exempt amount he has £7,000 of taxable gains.
- £7,000 x 24% = £1,680
Worked example: mixed rate bands
Emma has a salary of £45,000 in 2025/26. Her taxable income after the personal allowance is £32,430, so she has £5,270 of unused basic-rate band (£37,700 - £32,430). On 15 December 2025 she sells shares for a gain of £10,000. After the £3,000 annual exempt amount, she has £7,000 of taxable gains.
- First £5,270 taxed at 18%: £5,270 x 18% = £948.60
- Remaining £1,730 taxed at 24%: £1,730 x 24% = £415.20
- Total CGT: £1,363.80
Pension contributions can help
Personal pension contributions extend your basic-rate band, which can move more of a gain into the 18% rate.
Residential property rates
Residential property that is not your main home is taxed at 18% (basic rate) and 24% (higher rate). The higher rate for property was cut from 28% to 24% on 6 April 2024, so property and share rates have matched since 30 October 2024. This guide focuses on shares.
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)
Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief), governed by TCGA 1992 s.169H-169S, gives a reduced rate on qualifying business disposals up to a lifetime limit of £1 million. The rate is 14% for 2025/26 and 18% from 6 April 2026. It was 10% up to 5 April 2025. It does not apply to ordinary share disposals by investors.
Investors' Relief
Investors' Relief can apply to qualifying shares in unlisted trading companies held for at least three years, where the investor is not an employee or officer of the company (with limited exceptions). The lifetime limit is £1 million for disposals on or after 30 October 2024. The rate follows BADR: 14% for 2025/26 and 18% for 2026/27.
History: the 2024/25 split-year rate change
This section only matters for disposals in the 2024/25 tax year (6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025), for example if you are checking or amending a 2024/25 return. The deadline to amend a 2024/25 return is 31 January 2027.
The Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024 raised the main CGT rates with immediate effect, as set out in the HM Treasury policy paper "Capital Gains Tax rates for carried interest, and for other disposals by individuals". The previous 10% and 20% rates had applied since 6 April 2016.
Rates before and after 30 October 2024
| Disposal date (2024/25) | Basic rate (shares) | Higher / additional rate (shares) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 April 2024 to 29 October 2024 | 10% | 20% |
| 30 October 2024 to 5 April 2025 | 18% | 24% |
How the split year worked
GOV.UK guidance and the SA108 notes for 2024/25 apply the rate in force on the date of each disposal. The £3,000 annual exempt amount, capital losses and the basic-rate band still apply to the year as a whole. You calculate net chargeable gains for the full year, then allocate the exempt amount and losses in the way that gives the lowest tax, usually against gains taxed at the higher post-Budget rates.
Worked example: split year
Tom is a higher-rate taxpayer. During 2024/25 he sells shares for a gain of £4,000 on 15 July 2024 (20% rate) and a gain of £6,000 on 20 November 2024 (24% rate). His total gains are £10,000. He sets the £3,000 annual exempt amount against the post-Budget gain:
- Pre-Budget taxable gain: £4,000 x 20% = £800
- Post-Budget taxable gain: (£6,000 - £3,000) x 24% = £720
- Total CGT: £1,520
Summary of share rates by tax year
| Tax year | Basic rate | Higher / additional rate | BADR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 10% | 20% | 10% |
| 2024/25, to 29 October 2024 | 10% | 20% | 10% |
| 2024/25, from 30 October 2024 | 18% | 24% | 10% |
| 2025/26 | 18% | 24% | 14% |
| 2026/27 | 18% | 24% | 18% |
How FiscalFox handles the rates
FiscalFox applies the CGT rate in force on the date of each disposal and uses your income to split taxable gains between the 18% and 24% rates. For 2024/25 it also separates disposals before and after 30 October 2024. The report shows the rate applied to each disposal.
Check current figures against GOV.UK Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances.
Official UK tax references
This guide is checked against published GOV.UK and HMRC material. FiscalFox is a calculation tool, not personal tax advice; review unusual transactions with a qualified adviser.