Have you used your 2016/17 annual capital gains exemption?

Have you used your 2016/17 £11,100 annual capital gains exemption? Consider selling shares where the gain is less than £11,100 before 6 April 2017. Also, if you have any worthless shares, consider a negligible value claim to establish a capital loss. You may even be able to set off that capital loss against your income under certain circumstances.

From 6 April 2016 the main capital gains tax rates decreased from 18% and 28% for basic rate and higher rate tax payers to 10% and 20% respectively. Gains exceeding your annual exemption will now be subject to the new lower rates.

Please note that the old rates of 18% and 28% still apply to residential property disposals.

As far as Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning is concerned, all individuals have a £3,000 annual allowance which means that gifts up to that amount each year are exempt from IHT. If you have not used your £3,000 allowance from 2015/16 you can make gifts of up to £6,000 on or before 5 April 2017 without the gift being liable to IHT.

Also, consider making regular gifts out of your income to minimise the growth of your estate that will be liable to IHT. Gifts out of your surplus income are not subject to IHT if properly structured.  Please contact us if you would like advice relating to how much you can gift annually out of surplus income.