Capital gains tax receipts have reached a record £22.2bn for the 2025-2026 tax year, significantly exceeding the previous peak of £16.9bn recorded in 2022-23.
The latest HMRC data also shows receipts surpassed the £13.7bn recorded over the same period in 2024-25 and outperformed the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast of £20.3bn set at the Autumn Budget 2025.
In March 2026 alone, CGT receipts totalled £496m, up from £412m in March 2025, reflecting continued upward pressure on tax revenues.
Marc Acheson, global wealth specialist at Utmost, said: “The higher CGT rates introduced at the Autumn Budget 2024 have brought in record receipts for the Treasury as more individuals have been drawn into the CGT net, with gains from property sales, investments or business disposals exceeding lower exemptions thresholds.
“With the Government also freezing CGT rate thresholds and allowances for a prolonged period, inflationary increases in asset values will push more individuals and businesses into higher tax bands.
“As a result, we are likely to see a sustained increase in CGT revenues in the coming years.
“While this may be good news for the Treasury, this record tax burden is not good for the UK’s competitiveness, and it has led to increased demand for financial advice as individuals seek clarity on the implications for their long-term financial planning.”
The Office for Budget Responsibility has since revised its forecast higher, projecting CGT receipts to reach £27.3bn by the 2029-30 tax year.
