CG64977 - Private residence relief: computation of relief: general rule


At its simplest, the amount of relief available is computed by dividing the period in which the property was used as its owners only or main residence, together with the final 36 months, by the total period of ownership.

An individual acquires a dwelling house in January 1983 for £25,000. It is his only or main residence from January 1983 to January 1987. The dwelling house is sold in January 1993 for £100,000.

The gain before relief is


 £
 Disposal proceeds   100,000
lessCost   25,000

Unindexed gain

75,000
lessIndexation25,000x0.66916,725

Net gain

58,275

PRIVATE RESIDENCE RELIEF

Period of ownership January 1983 - January 1993 = 120 months

Period of only or main residence

January 1983 - January 1987 = 48 months


Final period allowed by TCGA92/S223 (2) = 36 months

The relief is48 + 36x 58,275 = £40,793
120

The chargeable gain will be £17,482 before annual exempt amount.

NOTE. If a taxpayer is within the charge to Capital Gains Tax, neither indexation allowance nor taper relief apply to disposals of assets on or after 6 April 2008. Previously indexation allowance had been frozen at April 1998. For indexation allowance see CG17207+ and for taper relief see CG17895+.

The effect of the relief is to determine how much, if any, of the gain computed in the usual way and arising on the disposal of the residence is a chargeable gain. Therefore the relief is given after indexation allowance.

NOTE. If a taxpayer is within the charge to Capital Gains Tax, neither indexation allowance nor taper relief apply to disposals of assets on or after 6 April 2008. Previously indexation allowance had been frozen at April 1998. For indexation allowance see CG17207+ and for taper relief see CG17895+.