CGT on shares & funds
Gains on shares and funds outside an ISA above the £3,000 annual exempt amount are taxed at 18% within the basic-rate band and 24% above it, under gov.uk's Capital Gains Tax rates for 2026/27. This calculator estimates the tax due from the sale proceeds, cost and income entered.
30-day rule: selling and buying the same shares back within 30 days matches the sale to the repurchase, so it does not realise the gain you expected.
How is CGT worked out on shares?
The gain is the sale proceeds minus the cost of the shares sold, minus dealing costs. For shares of the same class this uses the pooled, or Section 104, cost, under gov.uk's rules on what you pay Capital Gains Tax on. All buys are averaged into one cost per share. The first £3,000 of total gains for the year is covered by the annual exempt amount and is tax-free.
The taxable gain then stacks on income to set the rate. The part that fits inside the unused basic-rate band is taxed at 18%, under gov.uk's Capital Gains Tax rates. Anything above that band is taxed at 24%. These rates rose from 10% and 20% on 30 October 2024, so shares and funds now carry the same rates as second properties. Gains inside an ISA or pension stay exempt, so this calculator only applies to a general investment account.
How much CGT would I pay on an example sale?
Selling fund units for £30,000 that cost £15,000, with £150 of dealing fees, gives a gain of £14,850. After the £3,000 allowance, an estimated £11,850 is taxable. On a £45,000 income, £5,270 fits the basic band at 18% and £6,580 sits above it at 24%, giving an estimated bill of £2,528. Buying the same fund back within 30 days would match the sale under HMRC's rules and undo it.
Common questions
What are the CGT rates on shares in 2026/27?
Gains above the £3,000 allowance are taxed at 18% within your basic-rate band and 24% above it. These rates rose from 10% and 20% on 30 October 2024, so shares now match property.
How much can I gain before paying CGT?
The annual exempt amount is £3,000 for 2026/27. Total gains up to that across all your shares and funds in the year are tax-free. Only the excess is taxed.
What is the 30-day bed-and-breakfast rule?
If you sell shares and buy the same shares back within 30 days, the sale is matched against that repurchase, not your older holding. This blocks selling just to use your allowance and buying straight back. Wait more than 30 days, or buy back inside an ISA or a spouse buys instead, to sidestep the match.
Do I pay CGT on shares held in an ISA or pension?
No. Gains inside a Stocks and Shares ISA or a pension are free of Capital Gains Tax. This calculator is for holdings in a general investment account, outside those wrappers.
How is the gain worked out if I bought in tranches?
Shares of the same class in the same company are pooled into a Section 104 holding at their average cost. Your gain is the sale proceeds minus the average cost of the shares sold, after the same-day and 30-day matching rules are applied first.
How is CGT worked out on shares?
The gain is the sale proceeds minus the pooled cost of the shares sold and minus dealing costs, under gov.uk's rules on what Capital Gains Tax applies to. The first £3,000 of gains in the year is tax-free under the annual exempt amount. The remaining taxable gain stacks on other income, and is taxed at 18% within the basic-rate band and 24% above it.
How much CGT would I pay on an example sale?
On a sale with a gain after costs, the first £3,000 is covered by the allowance. The remaining taxable gain is split between 18% and 24% depending on how much of the basic-rate band the seller's other income has already used. Entering sale proceeds, cost, dealing costs and income above gives an estimated bill for that specific sale.
Sources & Rate Verification
Rates verified against official statutory guidance on 6 September 2026.