Tax Implications Of Gold And Silver For Investors

As an investor based in the UK, being aware of the tax implications of your investment decisions is essential. When it comes to precious metals like silver and gold, the rules can be particularly complex, with differing rates of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) applied. It pays to understand the most tax-efficient ways to invest in these assets.

This comprehensive guide aims to explore all the key tax considerations around investing in silver and gold.

We’ll outline everything you as an individual investor need to know, from VAT exemptions and Inheritance Tax (IHT), to CGT allowances and tax-free coins.

Our goal is to help you make informed decisions that support your investment strategy and allow you to maximise returns under current UK tax laws. With the right approach, it is possible to eliminate certain taxes on silver and gold entirely.

What Is Capital Gains Tax?

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax levied on individuals and corporations when they sell/dispose of an asset and make a profit (a capital gain). For you and I, that means a tax on any profit you make from selling a chargeable asset such as shares or a second home. The tax only applies once the particular asset is sold and a profit has been made rather than when the asset is still held.

The tax is calculated annually on an individual’s net gains. So, for instance, if you sell 2 different shares during the year and one makes a loss while the other profits, your annual capital gain will be the net profit of the two.

The current rate of Capital Gains paid varies between 18% and 28%, depending on whether you’re a lower or higher-rate taxpayer. But don’t be surprised if the UK Government decides to increase the tax as high as 40-45% in the near future in an attempt to raise taxes stealthily.

Just like any other capital asset, selling gold or silver at a profit can incur CGT. However, we just hate the idea of our customers having to share any profits from gold or silver if they don’t have to.

Two of the most popular ways of avoiding CGT are by buying UK tax-free coins and Pension Gold.

Coins produced by the Royal Mint, which qualify as legal tender, are not subject to CGT as the Treasury cannot tax the movement of legal currency. This covers Gold Sovereigns, Gold Britannias, Silver Britannias and some other limited-issue Royal Mint coins. There is no upper limit either, which is why so many customers focus on these coins as a tax-free store of wealth.

Under the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 (section TCGA92/S21 (1) (b)), Sovereigns dated after 1837 and Britannias are exempt from CGT due to their legal tender status. Older Sovereigns dated pre-1837 qualify for exemption under a separate rule of being a chattel (personal possession). Many other Royal Mint coins with a face value, such as Queen’s Beasts, Tudor Beasts and Myths and Legends coins, to name just a few, also qualify as they meet the same technical specifications as the Britannia.

Our Pension Gold product has also proved to be a popular way of benefiting from rising gold prices without paying tax. Any profits from gold bullion held within your Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) are sheltered from CGT.

If all this sounds complicated, don’t worry; we specialise in guiding you to the most tax-efficient gold and silver. Just call us on 020 7060 9992, and a member of our team can suggest coins that qualify as CGT-free.

Silver CGT

If you’re currently in a high tax bracket, you might pay less CGT on gold and silver as they are only taxed for capital gains tax purposes at the marginal rate of 28%. Even if an investor is in the 33%, 35% and 39.6% tax brackets, the marginal rate of 28% only will apply.

Certain bullion coins are also exempt from CGT tax altogether in the UK. All coins produced by the Royal Mint and classed as British legal currency are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. This includes all silver Britannia coins and post-1837 sovereign coins. You can, therefore, make an unlimited tax-free profit on any of these coins.

Gold CGT

As a UK investor, selling gold bars or non-UK gold coins at a profit could incur CGT if you make more than your allowance. But sticking to UK legal tender gold coins will mean any profits are completely free from CGT.

That’s because HMRC cannot tax individuals for gains made from selling its own legal currency. Coins issued by the Royal Mint with a face value qualify as legal tender.

The two main choices are Gold Britannias and Gold Sovereigns. But The Royal Mint also produces more limited-issue legal tender series such as Lunar coins and Queens Beasts.

What Is VAT?

Value Added Tax (VAT) is added to most consumer goods and services in the UK. The current general rate of  VAT is 20%, with some items being at a reduced or zero rate. This is added at the point of sale, and the consumer will bear the charge.

Exemptions to VAT

Many foods and drinks are zero-rated except alcohol, confectionery and hot food. Most cultural and leisure activities are exempt, as are some health, education and charity goods and services.

What is Inheritance Tax (IHT)?

Inheritance Tax, also known as estate tax or death duty, is charged on the transfer of  someone’s assets upon their death. It’s arguably the most unpopular tax as people believe they’ve already been taxed their entire life and now they’re taxed on their death. This tax is deducted from an individual’s estate value before being distributed to the beneficiaries. Taxable assets will include property, cash, investments and even the value of some gifts previously made.

How Much Inheritance Tax is Paid?

The current IHT rules provide a framework to calculate the potential tax burden to loved ones, including a tax-free threshold, varying tax rate bands and certain exemptions.

The key parameters are as follows;

1. Inheritance Tax Threshold

The first £325,000 value of assets is not taxable (known as the Nil Rate Band). Any unused amount of a nil-rate band can be passed onto a surviving spouse/partner to effectively increase the tax-free threshold of the surviving partner. Additionally, leaving a main residence to direct descendants will qualify for a Residence Nil Rate Band, essentially passing on the value of their home without any tax.

2. IHT Tax Rates

As of November 2023, the standard Inheritance Tax rate on the portion of an estate above the nil-rate band is 40%. This can be reduced to 36% if at least 10% of the value is left to charity.

3. Gifts and Exemptions

Assets which are gifted to beneficiaries at least seven years before death will generally avoid incurring IHT. If the provider of the gift passes away within 7 years of gifting, then tax will be charged on a tapered basis. These gifts are known as Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs). Certain gifting is exempt to the 7-year rule, such as gifting to a civil partner, charities and small gifts for birthdays and weddings. An individual also has an annual gifting allowance, currently £3,000, which falls outside of the 7-year requirement.

4. Pension Lifetime Allowance

The value of a person’s pension fund is tested against the lifetime allowance (Just over £1m for 2023/24). If the pension value exceeds the allowance, a tax charge will apply.

We’ve already established that investing in gold in particular can be very tax-efficient. Focussing on UK gold coins like Sovereigns or Britannias will mean that no VAT is paid upon purchase and no CGT is paid on profits upon sale, even if they’re eventually sold by spouses, children or grandchildren.

Here are some additional ideas to pass your gold onto loved ones and try to circumvent Inheritance Tax too;

Gold Bars

If you opt for a gold bar (such as 100g, 1oz or 1 kilo), the purity needs to be at least 995 thousandths. The good news is that a majority of gold bars on the market exceed this, at 999 thousandths gold, with the rest generally meeting the minimum requirement.

Gold Coins

For gold coins, the purity target is lowered to 900 thousandths, meaning that any coin of 22 carats or higher will qualify. There are a few extra guidelines for coins – they must be minted after 1800, have been legal tender in their country of origin and not usually sell at more than 180% of the market value of their gold content. Essentially, these additional rules exclude very old, obscure numismatic coins.

If all this sounds complicated, don’t worry. We only sell gold coins and bars that meet these requirements and qualify as Investment Grade, so you’ll never pay Value Added Tax whenbuying gold through Physical Gold.

How can you take this a step further?

If you want your gold investment to be completely tax-efficient, then buying UK gold coins also benefits from being Capital Gains Tax-free. They already meet the VAT-exempt criteria but are also tax-free upon sale due to their legal tender status. With each Sovereign, Britannia, special edition UK coins and variants of these, each coin possesses an actual face value. The Government can’t tax you on the movement of legal currency, so buying and selling UK gold coins is completely tax-free!

Use our automated portfolio builder to get suggestions based on various investment objectives, including tax efficiency.

Will the UK ever remove VAT from silver?

It seems unlikely in the near future. The 20% VAT rate has been in place for over 20 years now. However, now that the UK has left the EU, it could choose to remove VAT from silver as it sets its own tax policies. This would require lobbying and political will.

Is selling gold tax-free in the UK?

Yes, British gold coins eligible as legal tender are exempt from Capital Gains Tax when sold. This includes coins like Sovereigns and Britannias. Other gold coins and bars don’t qualify, and CGT would apply if gains exceed allowances.

Why is gold VAT-free in the UK?

The UK policy has aligned with EU rules, making gold coins and bars VAT-exempt if they meet certain criteria. Now that Britain has left the EU, it is not obliged to follow these rules but has so far maintained the VAT exemption for gold meeting the investment grade criteria.