Shares and Assets Valuations (SAV) meaning

In UK tax practice, “shares and Assets Valuations (SAV)” denotes the HMRC specialist team that agrees or determines open market values used in tax computations. SAV principally handles unquoted shares and securities, and also values (or coordinates the valuation of) intangible assets such as goodwill and intellectual property, foreign shares, foreign residential property, bloodstock, and chattels (including antiques, art and jewellery). It does not value UK land and buildings (handled by the Valuation Office Agency). The term is not defined in legislation; it is HMRC terminology used across multiple contexts, including inheritance tax (IHT), capital gains tax (CGT), stamp taxes on shares (Stamp Duty/SDRT), and employment-related securities. Typical interactions include post-transaction valuation checks (PTVC) and, for EMI options, advance valuation agreements prior to grant. SAV will negotiate values with taxpayers and advisers but does not provide general tax clearances. Usage and process are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The expression is not used in Ireland, where comparable share and asset valuations are agreed with the Irish Revenue Commissioners under Irish tax rules. Legal practitioners commonly engage with SAV when advising on IHT probate values, CGT disposals, ERS/EMI grants, restructurings and family transfers.