Capital Gains Tax Accountants: Property, Shares & Landlord Advice Across the UK

Navigating capital gains tax in the UK can be daunting, especially with fast-changing rules for property, shares, and business assets. Eternity Accountants’

What Does a Capital Gains Tax Accountant Do?

In our experience supporting property investors and landlords across Leicester and the East Midlands, a capital gains tax accountant’s value goes far beyond simple calculations. The best CGT accountant UK clients trust provides strategic advice, ensures compliance, and helps you structure transactions for maximum efficiency.

The role of a CGT accountant

• Calculates gains and losses on property, shares, and business assets
• Advises on available reliefs and exemptions for your situation
• Handles all reporting to HMRC, including 60-day returns and Self Assessment
• Represents you as an HMRC agent, minimising your risk of penalties
• Guides landlords, companies, and sole traders on CGT planning strategies

Types of assets covered: property, shares, business

• Residential and commercial property (including buy-to-let and second homes)
• Shares and investment portfolios
• Business assets, including goodwill and intellectual property

How expert advice protects you from HMRC penalties

Most taxpayers underestimate how quickly penalties can accrue for late reporting. A specialist CGT accountant ensures every deadline is met and relief is claimed, avoiding costly mistakes. For example, a Leicester landlord we advised in 2025/26 avoided a £100 penalty and saved £2,100 by acting within 60 days.

For more on landlord tax, see our Landlord Accountants service. Verify credentials with the ICAEW directory.

Capital Gains Tax Advice UK: Current Rules, Rates & Allowances (2025/26, 2026/27)

Our team has seen many clients caught out by recent reductions in the annual exempt amount and the ongoing impact of Section 24. Staying updated on capital gains tax advice UK is crucial for landlords, investors, and company directors planning disposals in the next two tax years.

2025/26 and 2026/27 CGT rates for property, shares, and business

(Source: HMRC, 2026)

Tax-free allowances and key changes

• Annual exempt amount: £3,000 for individuals in 2025/26 and 2026/27
• Spouses/civil partners can double allowance by joint ownership
• Reduced from previous years—many will pay CGT on more disposals

Section 24: Mortgage interest restriction explained

Contrary to popular belief, Section 24 does not apply to limited companies or Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). Individual landlords must factor this into their CGT planning, especially when selling property.

See HMRC’s full rates at gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/rates.

How to Report Capital Gains Tax in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide

In our experience, the most common mistake is missing the strict 60-day property CGT return deadline. Here’s exactly how to report capital gains tax UK property and other assets, including the latest digital requirements.

Reporting UK property sales: 60-day CGT return

1. Calculate your gain using allowable costs (purchase price, improvement costs, legal fees)
2. Submit a CGT property return online within 60 days of completion
3. Pay any CGT due within the same 60-day window

Reporting shares and other assets via Self Assessment

• Include gains in your annual Self Assessment tax return
• Deadline: 31 January following the end of the tax year (online) or 31 October (paper)
• Report all disposals, even if below the annual exempt amount

Key HMRC deadlines and penalties for late reporting

• 60-day property CGT: £100 fixed penalty for late filing
• 5% of unpaid CGT if not paid within 30 days, further 5% at 6 and 12 months
• Self Assessment: £100 late filing, £10/day up to £900, 5%/£300 at 6 and 12 months (Source: HMRC, 2026)

Our Making Tax Digital Service supports digital CGT submissions for property and shares. See the HMRC step-by-step at gov.uk/report-and-pay-your-capital-gains-tax/.

Specialist Capital Gains Tax Planning Services for Landlords, Limited Companies & Sole Traders

In our Leicester office, we’ve helped landlords and companies structure disposals to reduce tax and avoid Section 24 pitfalls. Capital gains tax planning services are essential for landlords, limited companies, and sole traders with complex portfolios.

Landlords: CGT, Section 24, and planning opportunities

• Section 24 restricts mortgage interest relief for individuals—companies unaffected
• Joint ownership with a spouse can double annual exemption
• Timing sales across tax years can spread gains and use allowances
• Letting relief and Private Residence Relief may apply in some cases

Limited companies: Corporation Tax vs. CGT

Sole traders & freelancers: When does CGT apply?

• CGT only applies to the sale of capital assets (property, investments), not trading income
• Freelancers are often unaware that regular freelance income is not subject to CGT—only to Income Tax
• Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) may reduce CGT to 10% on qualifying business asset sales

For HMRC’s landlord CGT guidance, visit gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/buy-to-let-property.

UK Property Capital Gains Tax Help: Shares, Second Homes, and Investment Portfolios

Many property owners don’t realise how reliefs like Private Residence Relief and letting relief can reduce their CGT bill. Our UK property capital gains tax help service covers everything from selling second homes to reporting gains on shares and investment portfolios.

Selling second homes and buy-to-lets: What you must know

1. Private Residence Relief exempts gains if the property was your main home throughout ownership
2. Letting relief may apply for periods you rented the property (subject to strict conditions)
3. Report and pay CGT within 60 days of completion

CGT on shares for UK residents

• Shares are taxed at 10% (basic rate) or 20% (higher rate), after annual exemption
• Report gains via Self Assessment
• Deduct allowable costs, such as purchase price and broker fees

Reliefs and exemptions: Private Residence Relief, Business Asset Disposal Relief

For a worked example and more, see our Self Assessment Service or visit gov.uk/tax-sell-property/work-out-your-gain.

How to Find a Capital Gains Tax Accountant Near You

In our experience, clients in Leicester, London, and across the East Midlands often benefit from local knowledge—especially with property disposals. Searching “accountant near me” or “Leicester capital gains tax accountant” yields many options, but not all are regulated or experienced in CGT.

Choosing a local vs online CGT accountant

• Local accountants offer face-to-face meetings and insight into regional property markets
• Online accountants provide flexibility and often lower fees, but may lack local property expertise
• Both should be regulated by ICAEW, ACCA, or AAT

Verifying credentials: ICAEW, ACCA, AAT, FCA

• Check ICAEW, ACCA, or AAT registration for accountancy regulation
• FCA registration is required for investment advice, not tax
• Always request proof of professional indemnity insurance and HMRC agent status

Finding specialist support in Leicester, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, East Midlands

• Use “accountant near me” or city-specific searches for local CGT experts
• See our Accountant Pricing for fee comparisons
• Ask about experience with property, shares, and Section 24 planning

Capital Gains Tax Accountants for Contractors, Freelancers, Landlords & Business Owners

Many freelancers and contractors are unsure if CGT applies to their work. In our experience, most only pay capital gains tax on asset sales, not on their trading income. Specialist CGT accountant for landlords and business owners can save significant sums by identifying reliefs and structuring disposals effectively.

Contractors: CGT on business asset disposals

• CGT applies to the sale of business assets or investments, not regular contracting income
• Business Asset Disposal Relief may reduce CGT to 10% on qualifying disposals

Freelancers: When does CGT apply?

• Freelancers pay CGT only on capital asset disposals (e.g. property, shares)
• Ordinary freelance earnings are subject to Income Tax, not CGT

Landlords & business owners: Tailored CGT planning

• Landlords need advice on Section 24, reliefs, and 60-day reporting
• Business owners benefit from planning asset disposals around tax year end

See more on Freelance Accountants and Landlord Accountants for sector-specific support.

Software Expertise: Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent & Sage for Capital Gains Reporting

Our clients increasingly use cloud software to track asset disposals and capital gains. Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and Sage Accounting all offer features that streamline CGT record-keeping and reporting for property and shares.

How cloud software streamlines CGT record-keeping

• Automated tracking of purchase and sale dates, costs, and proceeds
• Real-time calculation of gains and losses for easy reporting
• Integration with digital receipt capture and document storage

Integrations with HMRC for digital CGT submissions

• Direct submission of Self Assessment and CGT returns via Making Tax Digital
• Reduced risk of manual errors and missed deadlines

Choosing the right platform for your business

• Xero and QuickBooks suit property investors and landlords with multiple assets
• FreeAgent is popular with freelancers and sole traders
• Sage Accounting offers robust reporting for growing portfolios

For setup and support, see our Bookkeeping Service or HMRC’s approved software list at gov.uk/guidance/software-for-sending-income-tax-updates.

How to Find an Accountant Near You

Choosing the right “accountant near me” is about more than location—it’s about expertise, regulation, and service fit. Eternity Accountants serves Leicester, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, and the East Midlands with ICAEW-qualified advice for property, shares, and business disposals.

• Local accountant: Face-to-face meetings, regional property insight, higher cost
• Online accountant: Virtual support, lower fees, flexible availability
• Chartered accountant near me: ICAEW, ACCA, or AAT registration, verified with external authorities

How to Verify an Accountant

5-Step Accountant Selection Process

1. Identify your needs (property, shares, business assets)
2. Shortlist 3 accountants using ICAEW, ACCA, or AAT directories
3. Verify regulation and insurance
4. Compare pricing—see our Accountant Pricing page
5. Book a free consultation for clarity on CGT planning

Whether you need a Leicester capital gains tax accountant or a London CGT accountant, always check credentials and local expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions About Capital Gains Tax Accountants

• How much should I pay an accountant? Fees for capital gains tax accountants typically range from £150 to £800+ depending on the complexity of your case and whether you are selling property, shares, or have multiple disposals.
• Is a chartered accountant worth it? Yes—chartered accountants (ICAEW, ACCA) are regulated, insured, and highly trained, reducing your risk of errors and penalties.
• Can I switch accountants mid-year? Yes, you can switch accountants at any time. Ensure your new accountant requests all handover information and is authorised with HMRC.
• How do accountants save money on tax? By identifying reliefs, exemptions, and planning opportunities to reduce your tax bill and ensure all allowable costs are claimed.
• Should a sole trader use an accountant? For complex transactions like asset disposals, yes—an accountant ensures accurate CGT calculations and reporting.
• Can an accountant deal with HMRC for me? Yes—once you authorise them, qualified accountants can represent you and submit returns directly to HMRC.

Why Choose Eternity Accountants?

In our experience, many firms overlook the nuances of Section 24 or fail to claim all available reliefs for landlords and property investors. Eternity Accountants is ICAEW regulated and AAT accredited, with fixed fees and a free initial consultation for new clients.

• ICAEW regulated
• AAT accredited
• Fixed fees from £7.50/month
• Making Tax Digital support for landlords and companies
• Dedicated accountant for every client
• UK-wide service, Leicester based
• Free initial consultation

We provide a full engagement letter, professional indemnity insurance, and act as your HMRC agent for all CGT matters. Hundreds of clients across the East Midlands and beyond have rated us 4.9/5 on Google Reviews.