Capital Gains Tax Planning. With Numbers You Can Trust.
Once a sale has completed, most of the planning opportunity has already gone. We help you work through the tax position before you exchange, not after.
We have one rule at Bernard Rogers & Co: you deal with a named Client Manager, who knows your numbers well enough to spot a problem before it becomes urgent, and ensures you have a consistent point of contact who truly understands your goals and can help navigate any challenges as they arise.
How this plays out in practice.
A business owner planning to sell or step back typically comes to us wanting to know two things: what the tax bill will actually look like, and whether anything can be done to reduce it before it is too late. We check eligibility for the reliefs that apply, look at timing, and make sure nothing is left until it can no longer be planned for.
"I feel that my Company is in very capable hands and receive accurate, professional advice which is very reassuring. I have no regrets in appointing such a professional and friendly firm that is Benard Rogers & Co and I have no hesitation in recommending them. A professional family firm with traditional values at the core of the practice."
Graham Jones, Director Merlin Land Planning and Development Ltd
What we do for you
Understanding your position before you sell
Capital gains are taxed at 18% within your basic rate band and 24% above it, and this now applies equally to shares, property and other assets since the rates were unified in October 2024. Everyone gets a £3,000 annual exempt amount each tax year. We work out your actual position well before a sale, not after the paperwork has already been signed.
Timing and structuring a disposal
Where it is genuinely available, spreading a disposal across two tax years makes use of two annual exempt amounts rather than one. Timing a sale against a lower income year, or making a pension contribution to keep more of the gain within the 18% band, can also make a real difference to the final bill.
Selling a business at the right time
Business Asset Disposal Relief can reduce the rate to 18% on qualifying gains up to a £1 million lifetime limit, provided you meet the conditions, generally a shareholding of at least 5%, and at least two years as an officer or employee of a trading company. Some of these conditions have time requirements, so the earlier we look at this, the more options remain open.
Selling property
A residential property sale has its own reporting deadline. Any Capital Gains Tax due has to be reported and paid within 60 days of completion, which does not leave much room to plan after the event. We build this into the timeline from the point you start thinking about selling.
Selling shares or assets
Gains on shares and most other assets are reported through Self Assessment, due by 31 January following the end of the tax year. That longer window gives more scope for planning than a property sale, and we'll help you to make full use of that window.
Gifts and family transfers
Capital Gains Tax is not only a sale tax. Gifting an asset, other than to a spouse or civil partner, can also trigger a gain. This matters particularly where a family business or a property is being passed down, and it is worth planning for well ahead of the transfer itself.
Why clients work with us.
The average client relationship at Bernard Rogers & Co is around seven years, with some having worked with us for over 30 years. Capital gains planning is rarely a single conversation. It works best when it starts well before a sale is even certain, with someone who already understands the rest of your tax position.
We are not the cheapest option in Warwickshire. We are also not going to hand you a spreadsheet and wish you luck. If that trade-off sounds right for your business, let us talk.
"Bernard Rogers & Co provide an excellent chartered accountancy and tax service. Their team is knowledgeable, approachable and always quick to respond. Since moving to Bernard Rogers & Co, we have been extremely pleased with the support we receive.
They have a wealth of knowledge across tax planning, payroll and statutory accounts, and their advice is always clear and practical. Nothing ever feels like too much trouble, and every query is dealt with promptly, patiently and professionally."
FAQs
Common questions about Financial Forecasting. Get in touch if there is anything else you would like to know.
18% on gains that fall within your basic rate band, and 24% above it. This applies equally to property, shares and most other chargeable assets, following the rate unification in October 2024.
Yes, a £3,000 annual exempt amount per person, per tax year. It cannot be carried forward, so unused allowance in one year is simply lost.
Possibly, through Business Asset Disposal Relief, which brings the rate down to 18% on qualifying gains up to a £1 million lifetime limit. Eligibility depends on your shareholding and how long you have been involved in the business, so it is worth checking well in advance of a sale.
Within 60 days of completion if any Capital Gains Tax is due. This is a hard deadline, and there is very little room to plan retrospectively once a residential property sale has completed.
Very straightforward. We handle the professional clearance, contact your existing accountant and make sure nothing falls through the gaps.
The cost depends on the complexity of your affairs. We agree a fixed fee upfront so you know exactly what you are paying. A short conversation with David is the quickest way to get a sense of the numbers.
Get in touch with David
Contact David directly, or fill out the form below and we'll be in touch ASAP.
You might also be interested in
