Capital Gains Tax
Non-residents pay UK CGT on gains from UK residential property, must report within 60 days, and can often rebase the gain to April 2015.
Who it applies to
Anyone selling UK residential property at a gain. Non-residents are within scope on all UK land and property.
How it affects your return
Individuals pay 18% on gains within the basic-rate band and 24% above it, after the £3,000 annual exempt amount. Non-residents must report and pay within 60 days of completion via HMRC's CGT-on-UK-property account — and must report every disposal, even at a loss. For property held before 6 April 2015, non-residents can usually rebase to the April 2015 value, taxing only the gain since then.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chargeable gain | £50,000 |
| Annual exempt amount | −£3,000 |
| Taxable gain | £47,000 |
| CGT at higher rate (24%) | £11,280 |
Example: a higher-rate individual with a £50,000 gain on UK residential property (2026/27 rate 24%, AEA £3,000).
- Missing the 60-day reporting deadline (penalties and interest apply).
- Forgetting non-residents must report even a nil-gain or loss disposal.
- Overpaying by not using rebasing or time-apportionment on pre-2015 property.
- Set up an HMRC CGT-on-UK-property account before you sell.
- Gather purchase costs, improvement costs and selling costs to reduce the gain.
- Check rebasing options if you owned the property before April 2015.
- Report and pay within 60 days of completion.