Capital Gains Tax

capital gains tax: what is it?

Capital gains tax is often referred to as a ‘voluntary tax’ (as is inheritance tax), because with effective planning it can be avoided, reduced or delayed. Simply put, it’s a tax applied to the profit that is made when an individual disposes of an asset that has increased in value.

Who has to pay?

Note that the tax correlates to the ‘capital gains’ that are made – not the amount of money that is received. Whether a disposal is liable for taxation depends on if the asset has increased in value. Individuals who may incur capital gains tax in London include those with property or shares in a company.

With expert capital gains tax advisor in London and effective planning, however, it is possible to minimise capital gains tax liabilities.

How our capital gains tax advisors help

With careful planning and advice on capital gains tax and property – ensuring that capital assets are disposed of in such a way as to utilise annual personal CGT allowance to its fullest, for instance – individuals can reduce, delay or even avoid capital gains tax payments.

Our experienced team of accountants and capital gains tax advisors in London will work closely with you to provide advice on capital gains tax and property and take advantage of all available reliefs and plan for any future liabilities. There are several approaches we can take, depending on how your affairs are structured – but broadly speaking, our specialism includes:

Reducing the amount of capital gains tax by:

Making full use of your annual allowances.
Making full use of valid tax deductions (such as ‘banked’ indexation allowance and professional fees).
Making full use of all relevant reliefs (such as entrepreneurs’ relief, principal private residence relief, hold-over relief, rollover relief) and ensuring that you have the best chance of qualifying. The various reliefs available are attractive, but without expert advice, mistakes are easily made and these could affect your eligibility.
Reviewing whether trusts or pension funds could be useful in capital gains tax
Reviewing whether previous losses could be used to reduce a CGT bill (capital loss relief).
Advising on industry-specific reliefs and regulations (such as the new CGT rules for non-resident landlords).
Advising on wills; a sensitive topic, but – in certain cases – a useful planning device.
Advising on ownership of assets in order to maximise reliefs within a family or between husband and wife; guidance regarding the transfer of assets in instances of divorce.
Planning for both domiciled and non-domiciled residents, to ensure that any movements do not result in unexpected UK capital gains tax

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Delaying capital gains tax payments by:

Advising on timings of imminent sales to maximise use of reliefs/exemptions (or spread these over more than one tax year). For example, investments and disposals associated with the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) or Enterprise Investment Schemes may be eligible for capital gains deferral relief, but timing is crucial here to ensure the relief is available for the appropriate year.
Advising on how payments on capital gains might be delayed via the reinvestment of proceeds and claiming of EIS deferral relief; rollover relief; or holdover relief.

Ensuring that you do not pay more capital gains tax than you have to is an essential part of successful tax planning – and IBISS & Co’s outstanding chartered tax advisers will support you every step of the way. Both personable and professional, with years of experience in tax consultancy as well as accountancy, our highly-qualified specialists will also communicate with HMRC and complete all paperwork on your behalf – saving you both time and money. To learn more about our personal tax advice services or to book a free consultation, please contact us today.