It seems completely wrong to me that anyone who makes a capital gain on a trade has to pay 40% of that to the government. The capital gains allowance is a pittance.

What I don't understand is the fact that people who risk there hard earned money by investing to try and secure a better future are hammered by tax. I am missign something here?

Anyway, at present this does not apply to myself as I don't profit that much from my trading, although I do intend this to change over the coming years. Firstly, If I were to trade as my sole occupation how would I be taxed? Secondly is there anyway I can avoid paying capital gains tax?

Thanks

Bingo

In addition, the first 7K each year (soon to become 5K as Gordon Brown meddles again) should be traded via a self-select ISA which is fully exempt from CGT