First time buying shares - help

Bigsmak

Have a play on this before investing real money. Its a fantasy share trading platform which works like the real thing. Might help you get a feel for it before actually risking your money. There is a lot of good information here as well.

http://www.bullbearings.co.uk/

Not much use if you are desperate to invest in 1 company right this instant though.

gadgetmind

littlerussell wrote: »

Suppose I bought £2k shares, and sold a few years down the line for £3k. Are there any taxes payable here?

You will have made a gain of £1k. You need to add on any other gains made in the tax year, deduct any loses, and also deduct any dealing fees. You then get £10600 of gain tax free (that's this tax year, and it'll be higher next) and as a higher rate tax payer, you'd pay 28% CGT for anything over that.

However, if the shares qualify for an ISA, use an ISA. There is no need then to tell HMG anything about it.