Frequently Asked Questions

The most important thing is to file your return on time even if you can't pay.

Missing the filing deadline adds penalties on top of the tax debt — so filing and paying late is much better than not filing at all.

Once filed, contact HMRC about a Time to Pay arrangement, which lets you spread payments over an agreed period. HMRC is generally willing to set these up for people who engage proactively.

If your situation is complicated or you're worried about dealing with HMRC directly, message us on live chat and we can point you in the right direction.

Yes, in certain circumstances.

HMRC accepts appeals based on a 'reasonable excuse' — things like serious illness, bereavement, or a technical failure on HMRC's own systems. You normally need to appeal within 30 days of receiving the penalty notice.

HMRC doesn't usually accept forgetting about the deadline, finding the form too difficult, or relying on an accountant who didn't file on time as reasonable excuses.

If you think you have valid grounds, you can appeal online through your HMRC account or by writing to HMRC.

Not sure if your situation qualifies? Message us on live chat.

HMRC charges penalties that stack up the longer you leave it:

• Day after the deadline: automatic £100 penalty, regardless of whether you owe any tax
• After 3 months: £10 per day for up to 90 days (up to £900)
• After 6 months: 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is higher
• After 12 months: a further 5% or £300

Interest is also charged on any unpaid tax.

The key thing: filing as soon as possible stops the daily charges. If you can't pay the bill, file anyway — that limits penalties to the late payment side only. You can then contact HMRC about a Time to Pay arrangement to spread the cost.

We can help you file even if you're already late — just message us on live chat.

A payment on account is an advance payment towards your next year's tax bill.

If your Self Assessment tax bill is over £1,000, HMRC automatically splits your next year's estimated bill into two instalments and asks you to pay them in advance: the first on 31 January (alongside your current year's bill) and the second on 31 July. Each payment is half of your previous year's bill.

This catches a lot of first-year filers by surprise — in January you could end up paying your 2024/25 bill plus the first instalment towards 2025/26 all at once.

If your income is likely to be lower in the current year, you can apply to reduce your payments on account.

If you're unsure how this affects you, message us on live chat.

Several costs can be deducted from your gain, reducing the amount of CGT you pay. They fall into three categories.

Selling costs: estate agent fees, solicitor fees, and any costs directly related to the sale.

Buying costs: the original purchase price, solicitor and surveyor fees, and Stamp Duty Land Tax paid at purchase.

Improvement costs: the cost of capital improvements made to the property during your ownership — things like extensions, loft conversions, new kitchens or bathrooms that added value.

What you can't deduct: general maintenance and repairs (fixing a boiler, repainting, replacing like-for-like fittings), mortgage interest, or insurance costs.

The formula is: sale proceeds, minus allowable selling costs, minus original purchase price and buying costs, minus capital improvements.

Each of these deductions is applied as part of our CGT filing service — you don't need to calculate anything yourself. Just share the relevant receipts and documents and we'll handle the rest.

Yes. Estate agent fees are one of the allowable costs you can deduct when calculating your capital gain, which directly reduces the amount of tax you owe.

Here's what you can deduct from the sale price:

• Estate agent or auctioneer fees
• Solicitor or conveyancer fees on the sale
• Any advertising costs related to the sale

You can also deduct costs from the original purchase:

• The price you paid for the property
• Solicitor and surveyor fees at the time of purchase
• Stamp Duty Land Tax paid when you bought it
• The cost of any capital improvements made during your ownership, such as an extension or loft conversion

General maintenance and repairs don't count as improvements and can't be deducted.

Getting these deductions right can make a significant difference to your bill. If you're unsure what qualifies, message us on live chat.

Yes. Non-UK residents are required to report the sale of UK residential property to HMRC within 60 days of completion, regardless of whether any tax is owed.

This applies even if you made a loss or the gain is fully covered by Private Residence Relief. The reporting obligation still stands.

Non-residents may also be subject to Non-Resident Capital Gains Tax (NRCGT), which has applied to UK residential property sales since April 2015. The tax calculation for non-residents can be more complex, particularly around the rebasing rules that apply to property owned before April 2015.

We handle non-resident CGT returns regularly. Message us on live chat and we'll confirm what applies to your situation, or book a call with us if you'd prefer to talk it through.

Our CGT filing options are priced based on the number of owners on the property title.

Solo (£299): for a single owner. Covers the full gain calculation, all applicable reliefs, and filing with HMRC within the 60-day window.

Joint (£449): for two owners selling together — typically a couple, but also applies to friends or investors who co-own a property. We calculate and file for both owners in one service.

Trio (£598): for three owners on the same title — common with inherited properties where siblings jointly own the estate. Covers all three owners in one filing.

All options include the full gain calculation, relief checks (including Private Residence Relief and Lettings Relief where applicable), and submission to HMRC.

Not sure which applies to you? Check the property title or message us on live chat.