...capital gains tax...

This is a tax charged on the "disposal" of certain capital assets.

Examples of assets taxable are :-
  • Second properties and holiday homes
  • Valuable paintings
  • Company shares
Most taxpayers are allowed to make capital gains up to a certain amount each year without paying Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The allowance for 2007/ 2008 is £9,200.

Capital gains are added to income for the year and are therefore taxed at an individual’s highest income tax rate.

Capital gains are therefore taxed at 10% or 20% for basic rate taxpayers and 40% for higher rate tax payers.

Capital gains may be reduced by a special allowance known as Taper Relief. This can reduce any gains by up to 40% for personal gains and 75% for business gains.

There are many reliefs available and advice is available by contacting Mead Turner & Co. Ltd.