What is a Negligible Value Claim?
A negligible value claim allows a taxpayer to treat an asset as having been disposed of for Capital Gains Tax purposes, even though they retain ownership, because the asset's value has dropped to almost nothing during their period of ownership. This disposal typically results in a capital loss, which must be notified to HMRC. This is detailed in HMRC helpsheet HS286.
Conditions for Making a Claim
You must still own the asset when making the claim.
The asset must have become of negligible value while you owned it.
The asset is not negligible if it had no value when acquired.
If an asset is no longer owned (e.g., shares after company dissolution), you cannot make a negligible value claim; instead, calculate and report the capital loss as a regular disposal.
How to Make a Claim on GoSimpleTax
On your SA108 Capital Gains page, look to add an entry under the correct option for your shares
Include a description on the Sale tab but leave the rest of the entries on this tab* and Purchase tab blank.
On the ‘Reliefs’ tab, select ‘Negligible Value Claims’ and enter the amount you are claiming
If you are offsetting the loss against other income in the tax year. A second entry is required on the SA108 Capital Gains page under ‘Share Scheme reliefs (inc EIS and SEIS)’
Then make an entry in the relevant ‘Losses used against income’ box.
Finally, include claim details in box 54 (Any other information) on page CG 4 of the SA108 Capital gains summary section of your Self Assessment tax return. If you aren’t sure what information you need to include, read the ‘Required information’ section of this article.
*If you have previously claimed income tax relief on the investment, you should include an entry under the proceeds box to reduce your loss amount by the original relief claimed.
Income Tax Relief for Allowable Losses
For shares subscribed in a qualifying trading company, allowable capital losses may be set against income (share loss relief), provided the disposal was via:
Negligible value claim
Arm’s length bargain
Distribution during winding up
Dissolution
Gifts do not qualify. Relief can be claimed for current or prior year’s income, depending on the amount of the loss/your income, or for both.
Claim Deadlines and Process
Relief must be claimed within one year of 31 January following the year of the loss. For losses in 2024/25, claim by 31 January 2027.
For 2024/25, enter claim in box 41 on CG 2 of SA108; include the loss in box 35, and details in box 54.
For 2023/24, use box 43 and send additional details as above. Enter the tax decrease in box 15 of SA110 Tax calculation summary.
Required Information
Every claim must state in Box 54 (Any other information):
The company name, registration number, incorporation country, and tax residency (if different)
Date of loss
Years for which relief is claimed, with priority stated if claiming for more than one
Tax Relief Limitations
Most share losses are subject to £50,000, or 25% of income, limit per year (whichever is higher), except shares qualifying for EIS or SEIS relief.
Any loss offset against income cannot also be used to offset capital gains.
Additional Guidance
For detailed rules and forms, consult HMRC’s Capital Gains Manual and Venture Capital Schemes Manual or request support and forms through Self Assessment general enquiries.