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Deloitte
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CGT taper relief for individuals and trustees withdrawn with effect from 6 April 2008, replaced with 18% tax rate. Up to April 2008 the effective tax rate for entrepreneurs is as low as 10%.

Sam Hart, a director in the Entrepreneurial Business team at Deloitte said: “To date, the optimum capital gains tax rate on an exit for an entrepreneur has been 10%.  However, from next April the tax rate rises to a flat rate of 18% and will become a much more substantial cost.  10% tax was seen by many as an acceptable cost on an exit, but 18% is significantly higher and may affect the decision whether or not to sell.  An entrepreneur with a business worth £5 million will now face an additional tax cost of £400,000.

“There will of course be winners from these CGT simplification measures.  These will include individuals selling assets that would previously have been subject to tax rate of 24% after 10 year's ownership.  From April 2008, they can benefit from 18% tax after day one. This will include assets such as buy to let properties, second homes and other investments, including shares."

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