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Capital gains tax explained Capital gains tax if you own a business

Green Grocer

You might qualify for the entrepreneurs’ allowance

If you are selling a business, you may qualify for a new entrepreneurs’ allowance. You can claim if:

  • you are a sole trader or partner selling part or all of your business or its assets, or
  • you control at least 5% of a company whose shares or assets you are selling
  • you sell assets from the above businesses within three years of closing down.

The relief effectively reduces the CGT rate to 10% on the first £10m of gains you make over your lifetime from selling such assets (for disposals made after 6 April 2011). Before April 2011 and after 23 June 2010 the limit was £5m, before 23 June 2010 and after 6 April 2009 it was £2m. Any gains above this are taxed at 18% or 28%. The relief applies if you run a trading business or furnished holiday letting, but not any other property letting business.