Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If HMRC has asked you to file or you meet the criteria, the return is required regardless of whether you owe anything.

This catches a lot of people out — especially first-time filers who assume no tax means no return. The £100 automatic late penalty applies from the day after the deadline, whether you owe tax or not.

Filing on time, even with a nil bill, avoids penalties and keeps your record clean with HMRC.

Usually not, but it depends on what else you have going on.

If your only income is from your employer and tax is deducted through PAYE, you probably don't need to file. But if you also have any untaxed income on top of that — rental income, freelance work, dividend income above £500, or savings interest above your Personal Savings Allowance — you'll need a Self Assessment return to declare it.

The same applies if your total income from all sources exceeds £100,000.

Not sure? Message us on live chat and we'll check for you.

You need to file a Self Assessment tax return if any of the following apply to you in the 2025/26 tax year:

• You were self-employed or a sole trader earning more than £1,000
• You had rental income from a property
• Your total income was over £100,000
• You received dividend income above £500
• You had untaxed income such as tips or commission
• You made capital gains from selling assets like shares or crypto
• You claimed Child Benefit and either you or your partner earned over £60,000
• HMRC sent you a notice to file

If you're not sure whether you need to file, message us on live chat and we'll let you know.

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.