If you have made a capital loss on the sale of a chargeable asset you need to tell HMRC in writing about the loss within four years from the end of the tax year in which the loss occurred for it to become an allowable loss to be deducted from your gains, unless the loss was made in 1995-96 or an earlier year. If you made a loss in 1995-96 or an earlier tax year but have not used it, you do not need to tell HMRC about the loss until you want to use it.
If you completed a Self Assessment tax return for the year in which you made the loss, this should have been reported on the capital gains pages of your return. If you did not complete a Self Assessment tax return for the year in which you made the loss, use the table below to determine the deadline for a claim.
| Tax year | Tax year ended on | You must claim by |
| 2009-10 | 5 April 2010 | 5 April 2014 |
| 2010-11 | 5 April 2011 | 5 April 2015 |
| 2011-12 | 5 April 2012 | 5 April 2016 |
| 2012-13 | 5 April 2013 | 5 April 2017 |
For those not in self assessment, claim the loss by writing to HMRC either to the postal address on the most recent correspondence from them or to:
HM Revenue & Customs
Capital Gains Tax
PO Box 1970
Liverpool
L75 1WX
You must keep any records showing how you worked out your loss and include your calculations with your tax return or correspondence.
If you require any help, please contact us.
