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Key definition
Capital gains tax definition

What does Capital gains tax mean? Capital gains tax (CGT) is the tax on the profit (chargeable gain) realised when a chargeable asset is disposed of, for example by sale, gift or exchange of shares, land or a business. The concept and computation are statutory: in the UK, principally the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992; in Ireland, the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. CGT primarily applies to individuals and trusts. In the UK, companies do not pay CGT; their gains are within corporation tax. In Ireland, companies are generally taxed on chargeable gains under corporation tax, typically at the CGT rate. Key features include an annual exempt...

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Advising on the family home: co-ownership, CGT (PPR, non-resident, reporting), ATED, IHT (RNRB), estate planning (GWR/POAT)

Practice notes
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The family home represents a significant asset for any individual. Key considerations include:

  • how it ought to be owned;
  • the applicable tax treatment;
  • which estate planning avenues are available and their tax consequences.

Co-ownership

For many married couples, civil partners or cohabitees, the family property is typically the most valuable holding. As a rule, co-ownership should be weighed up unless there are particular reasons—personal or tax driven—for placing the title solely in one person’s name. In law, co-owners always hold the legal estate as joint tenants, so HM Land Registry records the legal title jointly. Nevertheless, the beneficial or equitable interests may take the form of either a joint tenancy or a tenancy in common.

Joint tenancy

A valid joint tenancy requires the presence of four ‘unities’: unity of title; unity of time (the joint tenancy must begin and end on the same date for all joint tenants); unity of possession (each joint tenant enjoys equal rights to occupy the whole); and unity of interest (all hold equal interests). Where a property is owned as joint tenants, each co-owner holds an indivisible...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

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