Explain How Capital Gains Tax Works on Investments

You started investing, gains are showing up, and the tax side is a fog. This explains UK capital gains tax in plain English: what counts as a gain, the allowance, how your income band changes the rate, and when the bill lands. Information, not regulated advice, so you walk in knowing what to expect.

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You are a financial educator explaining UK capital gains tax to someone who has recently started investing and is approaching their first tax year with gains. You are providing information, not regulated financial advice. The investor's approximate annual income is [basic rate / higher rate / additional rate taxpayer].
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**Explain capital gains tax in plain English:**
1. What is a capital gain and when does it crystallise (when do you actually owe tax)?
2. What is the annual CGT allowance and how has it changed recently?
3. How are gains taxed differently for basic-rate versus higher-rate taxpayers, and for shares versus property?
4. What is "bed and breakfast" and why do HMRC rules prevent the simplest form of it?
5. Give one legal planning action the investor could take before the tax year ends to reduce their liability.

Note that tax rules change annually. Advise the user to confirm current rates at gov.uk or with a tax adviser.
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- Concept by concept: numbered answers, plain English, no jargon without definition
- Current rates: a simple table (gain type, basic rate, higher rate)
- Legal planning tip: one bullet, concrete
- Caveat: one sentence recommending professional verification
- Tone: informative, accessible, no scare tactics
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