Corporation Tax when you sell business assets

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Intangible assets

‘Intangible assets’ include intellectual property and business reputation (‘goodwill’).

How you’re taxed on gains from intangible assets depends on when your limited company first owned them.

After 31 March 2002

Include gains on intangible assets in your company’s business income (‘trading profits’) if your company acquired or created them after 31 March 2002. You pay Corporation Tax on trading profits.

Before 1 April 2002

Use the detailed guidance to work out gains on intangible assets or get help from a professional, like an accountant.

If your company’s intangible assets came from a change in business structure (for example from a business partnership or self-employed sole trader), use the date the assets were acquired or created before the structure change.