If you expect to dispose of crypto or other assets in the 2026/27 tax year, it is important to understand how Capital Gains Tax applies. This article sets out the current CGT allowance, tax rates, and reporting deadlines for the tax year ending 5 April 2027.
Understanding how gains are calculated and when reporting is required can help avoid unexpected liabilities and ensure you remain compliant with HMRC requirements.
This article sets out the current Capital Gains Tax thresholds, rates and deadlines for the 2026/27 tax year.
Contents
- 1. What Is Capital Gains Tax?
- 2. CGT Allowance for 2026/27
- 3. CGT Rates and How They Apply
- 4. Do You Need to Report?
- 5. Filing and Payment Deadlines
- Conclusion
- Previous Tax Years
- FAQs
- References
1. What Is Capital Gains Tax?
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applies when you make a profit from selling, exchanging or otherwise disposing of certain assets. For crypto users, this includes:
- Selling tokens for fiat
- Exchanging one token for another
- Gifting crypto, unless to a spouse or civil partner
- Using crypto to purchase goods or services
You pay CGT on the gain, which is the difference between what you paid for an asset and its value at the time of disposal.
In most cases, crypto is taxed under CGT rather than Income Tax. Income Tax may apply where the activity amounts to a trade or where crypto is received as income, such as through mining or staking. This article focuses on CGT only.
2. CGT Allowance for 2026/27
The annual exempt amount for Capital Gains Tax in 2026/27 is expected to remain:
- £3,000 per individual
This means the first £3,000 of total gains in the tax year are tax-free. Gains above this level may be subject to tax, depending on your income and available reliefs.
3. CGT Rates and How They Apply
For the 2026/27 tax year, CGT rates for crypto are expected to remain:
- 18% for gains within the basic rate income tax band
- 24% for gains above the basic rate band
The rate of CGT you pay depends on your total taxable income in the year, as well as your gains.
If your income uses up your basic rate band, any gains above that threshold will be taxed at the higher CGT rate. If part of your basic rate band remains unused, some or all of your gains may be taxed at 18% instead.
Example: Your taxable income for 2026/27 is £30,270 and you realise taxable crypto gains of £40,000.
If your basic rate band for the year is £50,270, the first £20,000 of your gains would fall within the unused basic rate band and be taxed at 18%.
The remaining £20,000 of gains would fall above the basic rate band and be taxed at 24%.
- £20,000 × 18% = £3,600
- £20,000 × 24% = £4,800
This would give an estimated CGT liability of £8,400, before considering any available losses, reliefs or other adjustments.
This means CGT is not calculated in isolation. Your salary, dividends and other income all affect the rate applied to your gains.
If you want a quick estimate of how much of your gains may fall into each CGT band, you can use our crypto tax calculator. The calculator takes your estimated income and gains and provides an indicative breakdown of the tax due at each rate.
4. Do You Need to Report?
You may need to report disposals to HMRC if:
- Your total gains exceed the £3,000 annual exemption
- Your total disposal proceeds exceed £50,000 and you are required to file a Self Assessment return
Crypto-to-crypto transactions are treated as disposals. This means a reporting obligation can arise even where no cash is received. For further information, see our guide on crypto-to-crypto swaps and tax.
5. Filing and Payment Deadlines
The 2026/27 tax year runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.
If you are required to report gains, the key deadlines are:
- Register for Self Assessment: by 5 October 2027
- File your tax return online: by 31 January 2028
- Pay any tax due: also by 31 January 2028
Conclusion
The CGT framework for 2026/27 remains consistent with recent years, with a £3,000 annual exemption and rates of 18% and 24% depending on your income level.
If you expect to dispose of assets during the tax year, it is important to maintain accurate records and understand how your income affects the rate of tax applied to your gains.
Early visibility over your gains can help ensure that any reporting obligations are met and that your tax position is understood before the filing deadline.
Previous Tax Years
For earlier tax years, see:
- Capital Gains Tax Deadlines and Allowances for 2025/26
- Capital Gains Tax Deadlines and Allowances for 2024/25
FAQs
The Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exemption for individuals in 2026/27 is expected to remain at £3,000. This means the first £3,000 of your total gains for the year are tax-free.
The deadline for reporting gains from the 2026/27 tax year is 31 January 2028. You must include any taxable gains in your 2026/27 Self Assessment return and pay any tax due by this date.
For the 2026/27 tax year, crypto gains are expected to be taxed at 18% where they fall within your basic rate income tax band and 24% above that threshold. The rate applied depends on your total taxable income as well as your gains.
You may need to report disposals for 2026/27 if your gains exceed the £3,000 CGT allowance, if your total disposal proceeds exceed £50,000, or if you are otherwise required to file a Self Assessment return.
No. The CGT annual exemption is 'use it or lose it' and cannot be carried forward to future tax years.
