Capital Gains Tax Planning — Legally Reducing Your CGT Liability on Property or Shares

Capital gains tax is often the largest single tax charge an individual will ever face, yet many people still do not take legal advice before triggering a disposal. Whether you are selling a business, investment property, shares, or other assets, there are legitimate and effective strategies to reduce your CGT liability — but they need to be in place before you exchange contracts or execute the disposal, not after. I advise individuals, trustees, and business owners on CGT planning across all asset classes, with particular expertise in business asset disposal relief, principal private residence relief, holdover relief, and gift holdover strategies. For business owners selling a company or partnership interest, Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) is the most valuable CGT relief available — reducing the effective rate to 10% on qualifying gains up to £1 million. However, the qualifying conditions are technical and the relief can easily be lost through poor planning, restructuring, or employee share scheme arrangements that dilute qualifying ownership below the required threshold. I review your shareholding and trading history well in advance of any sale to identify and remedy any issues before they become a problem. For property disposals, I advise on the interaction between Principal Private Residence relief, lettings relief, and the new rules on 60-day CGT reporting for residential property disposals. For investors with large portfolios, I advise on bed-and-ISA strategies, inter-spouse transfers, and the use of annual exempt amounts to manage the timing of gains. I also advise on offshore CGT considerations for non-UK domiciled individuals. How It Works 1. Asset review and disposal trigger date identified 2. Available reliefs and exemptions mapped to your situation 3. Pre-disposal restructuring implemented where required 4. HMRC reporting obligations discharged correctly and on time 5. Post-disposal planning review where applicable What You Get - CGT liability calculation and relief optimisation - Business Asset Disposal Relief eligibility review - PPR and lettings relief analysis for property - 60-day CGT residential property return submission FAQ Q: When do I have to report and pay CGT on property? A: UK residents selling residential property must report and pay the CGT within 60 days of completion — separate from the self-assessment return. Q: Can I transfer assets to my spouse before selling to reduce CGT? A: Yes — inter-spouse transfers are at no gain/no loss, so transferring a share before disposal can utilise both annual exempt amounts. I advise on the conditions for this to work. Q: What happens if I miss the 60-day CGT return deadline? A: HMRC issues automatic penalties from day one after the deadline. Interest also accrues on the unpaid tax. I advise on penalty mitigation if a deadline has been missed.