Autumn Statement 2013: Sell up in 18 months to avoid capital gains tax Capital gains tax normally applies only to the sale of second homes and not main residences. Daniel Crowther, a partner in the private client advisory practice at KPMG, said that the changes would come as a shock to many home owners. The halving of the final period exemption from capital gains tax came as a surprise and will be a shock for many second home owners. "There may be an extent to which this measure puts people off relocating for work purposes," he said. It's quite common that if an owner-occupier is offered a job in a different location to their home, they might rent a flat or house to live in and keep their home a while before they sell it. The reduction to this final period exemption makes this a less attractive option. Chris Harris, from the accountancy firm MHA MacIntyre Hudson, said that the changes would stop people effectively holding on to two "main homes" for three years. "Many housing charities would favour this change as it is likely to free up housing stock more quickly," said Mr Harris. Alex Henderson, a tax partner at PwC, said that the changes could affect people moving home in the case of a divorce. "The Chancellor's made a small but potentially symbolically significant reduction in the amount of relief that's available on the sale of your main home if there's a break between moving and selling," he added.