Frequently Asked Questions

No. Once you're registered, your UTR stays the same and you just file a new return each year.

You don't need to do anything differently from year to year in terms of setup. The only exception is if your circumstances change and you no longer need to file — in that case you should contact HMRC to ask them to remove you from Self Assessment, otherwise they'll continue to expect a return from you each year.

If this is your first time filing Self Assessment, yes — you need to register with HMRC before you can file.

The deadline to register is 5 October following the end of the tax year you're reporting. For the 2025/26 tax year (which ended 5 April 2026), that means registering by 5 October 2026.

Once registered, HMRC sends you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number by post, which you need before you can file.

If you haven't registered yet, it's worth doing as early as possible to avoid delays. Message us on live chat and we can guide you through it, or book a call with us if you'd prefer to talk it through.

PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is the system your employer uses to deduct income tax and National Insurance from your wages before you're paid. You never have to do anything — it happens automatically.

Self Assessment is how you report income that PAYE doesn't cover, such as freelance work, rental income, dividends, or capital gains.

Some people only ever use PAYE. Others use both. If you have income from multiple sources or anything outside of employment, Self Assessment is how you tell HMRC about it.

Don't ignore it. A notice to file is a legal requirement, and if you miss the deadline the automatic £100 penalty applies even if you end up owing nothing.

Contact HMRC and ask them to withdraw the notice — you can do this by phone or post, explaining why you don't believe you need to file. HMRC will confirm in writing if they agree to remove it. Until you get that confirmation, the return is still due.

If you're unsure how to approach it, message us on live chat and we can advise.

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.