Tax when you sell shares
Work out your gain
You’ll need to work out your gain to find out whether you need to pay Capital Gains Tax.
Your gain is usually the difference between what you paid for your shares and what you sold them for.
Market value
In some situations you should use the market value of the shares when working out your gain. Do this if:
- you gave them away as a gift to someone other than your spouse, civil partner or a charity
- you sold them for less than they were worth
- you inherited them and do not know the Inheritance Tax value
- you owned them before April 1982
- you acquired them through certain Employee Share Schemes
If the shares were given or sold to you by someone who claimed Gift Hold-Over Relief, use the amount that person paid for them to work out your gain. If you paid less than they were worth, use the amount you paid for them.
Selling in special circumstances
There are special rules for working out the cost of your shares if you sell:
- shares you bought at different times and prices in one company
- shares through an investment club
- shares after a company merger or takeover
- employee share scheme shares
Jointly owned shares and investments
If you sell shares or investments that you own jointly with other people, work out the gain for the portion that you own, instead of the whole value. There are different rules for investment clubs.
What to do next
Deduct costs
You can deduct certain costs of buying or selling your shares from your gain. These include:
- fees, for example stockbrokers’ fees
- Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) when you bought the shares
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if you’re not sure whether you can deduct a certain cost.
Apply reliefs
You may be able to reduce or delay paying Capital Gains Tax if you’re eligible for tax relief.
Work out if you need to pay
When you know your gain you need to work out if you need to report and pay Capital Gains Tax.
You may be able to work out how much tax to pay on your shares.
You can use the calculator if you sold shares that were:
- the same type, acquired in the same company on the same date
- sold at the same time
You can not use the calculator if you:
- sold other shares in the tax year
- sold other chargeable assets in the tax year, such as a property you let out
- claim any reliefs
- are a company, agent, trustee or personal representative
Reporting a loss
The rules are different if you need to report a loss.
You can claim losses on shares you own if they become worthless or of ‘negligible value’ (for example because the company goes into liquidation).
HMRC has guidance on making a negligible value claim.