Market value

Your gain is usually the difference between what you paid for your asset and what you sold it for.

There are some situations where you use the market value instead.

Situation Use market value at
Gifts Date of gift
Assets sold for less than they were worth to help the buyer Date of sale
Inherited assets where you do not know the Inheritance Tax value Date of death
Assets owned before April 1982 31 March 1982

Checking the market value

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can check your valuation.

After you’ve disposed of the asset, complete a ‘Post-transaction valuation check’ form. Return it to the address on the form - allow at least 3 months for HMRC’s response.