Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) is a valuable relief that reduces the rate of capital gains tax payable on gains made at the disposal of all or part of a business or the sale of shares in a personal trading company. The relief was previously known as Entrepreneurs’ Relief.

A sole trader selling all or part of their business must have owned the business for at least two years prior to the date of sale. The same test must be met when the business is being closed and the assets are being sold. Here the assets must be disposed of within three years after the date of cessation to qualify. 

The relief is also available regarding the disposal of shares or securities in a personal company that is either a trading company or the holding company of a trading group. A personal company is one in which the shareholder holds at least 5% of the ordinary share capital and that holding gives the shareholder at least 5% of the voting rights, and entitlement to at least 5% of the profits available for distribution and 5% of the distributable assets on a winding up, or 5% of the proceeds in the event that the company is sold.

Lifetime limit

The favourable capital gains tax rates only apply on gains up to the lifetime limit of £1 million. Spouses and civil partners have their own lifetime limit.

You might also like to read: Beware of the lifetime limit when claiming BADR on the sale of the FHL

Rate

For 2024/25, gains eligible for BADR are taxed at 10%.

Prior to 30 October 2024, the BADR rate was the same as the Capital Gains tax rate for gains other than residential property gains and carried interest applying where income and gains fall within the basic rate band. However, the latter was increased to 18% from that date (Budget Day), while the rate of capital gains tax once the basic rate band has been used up was increased from 20% to 24%. This increased the value of BADR – meaning for the remainder of the 2024/25 tax year it is worth 14% where gains would otherwise be taxable at the higher capital gains tax rate – a potential saving of up to £140,000.

However, this is a limited-time offer and the disposal must take place before 6 April 2025 to access the 10% rate. From 6 April 2025, gains benefitting from BADR will be taxed at 14% – a saving of up to 10%. From 6 April 2026, the rate rises to 18%, bringing it back into line with the capital gains tax rate applying where income and gains fall within the basic rate band.

Timing

The date of disposal is key to accessing the best rates. Selling a business or shares in a personal trading company on or before 6 April 2025 will access the best rate of 10%. Where a disposal is on the cards, as long as the qualifying conditions have been met for the requisite two-year period, consideration could be given to bringing forward the disposal date to before 6 April 2025. If the business has already ceased, disposing of the business assets before 6 April 2025 will minimise the capital gains tax payable.

If a disposal before 6 April 2025 is not feasible, consider whether the business, business assets or shares can be disposed of before 6 April 2026 so that gains up to the available lifetime limit are taxed at 14% rather than at 18%. Unincorporated landlords thinking of exiting the furnished holiday lettings business when the favourable relief comes to an end may also wish to bring forward the cessation and the disposal of their properties to access the 10% rate.

Partner note:

Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, Pt. V, Ch. 3 (ss. 169H – 169SA)