A property disposal is rarely a straightforward event from a tax perspective. The gain is not simply the difference between what was paid and what was received, it is affected by the history of the property, how it has been used, what costs have been incurred, and the wider circumstances of the owner.

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Our approach is to consider the full picture before a disposal takes place, helping clients understand how a gain will be calculated, where reliefs and exemptions may reduce the liability, and how timing and transaction structure can influence the overall CGT position.

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Addressing the tax position before exchange, rather than after completion, is where advice has the greatest practical value.

We advise a range of clients on CGT matters connected to property, including individuals disposing of second homes or investment properties, landlords and buy-to-let investors, business owners selling commercial premises, non-UK residents disposing of UK property, and executors and trustees dealing with property disposals within an estate.

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Our advice is frequently provided alongside solicitors and accountants, ensuring that the CGT position is properly considered within the wider context of the transaction.

For individuals disposing of a property that has at some point been their main home, principal private residence relief is likely to be the most significant relief available, but it does not always apply in full, and the rules governing how it is calculated and what qualifies are more nuanced than they first appear.

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We advise on the availability and extent of PPR relief, including situations involving periods of absence, lettings, properties with grounds or ancillary buildings, and cases where the property has been used for mixed purposes or where ownership has changed.

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Understanding the PPR position clearly before a disposal can avoid both unexpected liabilities and missed opportunities to maximise the relief available.

Gains arising on the disposal of investment or rental property are subject to capital gains tax in full, without the benefit of PPR relief, and the rate of tax applicable to residential property remains higher than that which applies to other assets.

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We advise on the CGT treatment of investment property disposals, including how allowable costs and capital expenditure affect the gain, the interaction with income tax where property has been let, and how the structure of ownership, including jointly held or trust-owned property, affects the overall position.

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For clients holding a portfolio of properties, we can also consider how disposals might be sequenced and structured to manage the CGT position across the portfolio as a whole.

The rules around when capital gains tax on property must be reported and paid have changed significantly in recent years, with residential property disposals now subject to a 60-day reporting and payment deadline that applies regardless of whether a self-assessment return is also required.

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We advise on the CGT compliance obligations arising from property disposals, including the 60-day return, the interaction with self-assessment, and the treatment of disposals by non-UK residents under the non-resident CGT regime.

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Getting the reporting right, and on time, is essential to avoid penalties and interest, and we can assist with both the advisory and compliance aspects of a disposal.

Our role is to provide clear, practical CGT advice that is grounded in the specific facts of each transaction and the wider circumstances of the client, with a focus on identifying the correct position, understanding what reliefs are available and ensuring that the tax implications are addressed before decisions are made rather than after they have been taken.

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We work closely with solicitors, accountants and other advisers to ensure that the CGT position is properly integrated into the overall transaction process, so that clients are not facing unexpected liabilities or compliance pressure once a disposal has completed.

Capital gains tax on property can represent a significant liability, but the outcome is rarely fixed. The availability of reliefs, the way a transaction is structured and the timing of a disposal can all make a material difference to the eventual tax position.

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If you are considering disposing of a property or would like to understand the CGT implications of a proposed transaction, we would be happy to assist