Do I pay income tax on share dealing ?

[billyg]

I am planning to trade a small amount of shares (value around £800)which were windfall shares from a floatation. I assume its capital gains tax the first time I sell them, but im planning to do it several times several times, ie when they hit a certain level -sell, and when they are back down again rebuy, hopefully quite a few times, only making a small profit each time I sell.
Would I then have to pay income tax or capital gains tax on any profit?

[robbob]

Hi billyg

For small amounts this will definately be a capital gains profit.

Income tax would only really be an issue if you did this as a full time job.

[N-Tax]

I suspect that HMRC may contend that you are in fact trading due to the application of the badges of trade being:
profit seeking motive, and
frequency of transactions.

Therefore, income tax would be due.

[King_Maker]

It is rare for HMRC to go for the trading route, as most traders (like other gamblers) lose money and HMRC don't want to allow the Losses to be set against other income.

I agree with robbob that any gains would be liable to CGT.

[mknight]

Presumably you've factored in the dealing fees in order to decide whether the small profit is worthwhile?