It might sound strange, but if you’ve lost money trading stocks, crypto, or even property in the past few years, it could actually be good news.
Let me explain.
At a recent conference for doctors in Leeds, a senior NHS consultant stood up and asked:
🩺 “I lost over £1 million trading crypto… can anything be done about it?”
The room went silent.
Because losing money hurts.
It’s emotional. It feels like failure.
And most people walk away, embarrassed or burnt.
I remember one GP who told me he lost £30k during the dot-com crash.
He stopped investing entirely for nearly 20 years.
That decision cost him far more than the market ever did:
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🚫 He missed years of compound growth
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🚫 He paid more tax than necessary
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🚫 And inflation quietly ate away at his savings
Here’s what most medics don’t know:
📉 If you’ve sold any investment at a loss, you may be able to use that loss to reduce your future tax bill.
Yes, really.
Here’s How Capital Losses Can Work For You
1️⃣ Register Your Capital Loss
If you sold assets (crypto, shares, property, ETFs, etc.) at a loss, HMRC allows you to declare that loss and carry it forward to offset future capital gains.
Example:
You lost £7,000 trading crypto in 2021.
In 2025, you sell shares and make a £10,000 profit.
👉 You only pay Capital Gains Tax on the £3,000 difference.
But there’s a catch…
2️⃣ You Must Report the Loss Within 4 Years
HMRC gives you a 4-year window from the end of the tax year in which the loss occurred.
Once you report it, there’s no expiry.
You don’t have to use it right away — but it must be on the books.
3️⃣ This Is What Real Investors Do
The smartest investors don’t just chase returns.
They learn how to use the rules.
✔️ Shelter growth in ISAs and pensions
✔️ Use losses to reduce future gains
✔️ Keep fees low
✔️ Stay invested long-term
That’s how wealth is built.
Not through hype, but through good habits and smart strategy.
Why Medics Miss This
Because no one taught us this in med school.
And when things go wrong financially, many doctors retreat, thinking they’ve “failed” or “aren’t good with money.”
You’re not alone.
And you’re not broken.
This is why I built Moneywise Doctor – to help over 3,500 medics get off the guessing path, and onto a clearer financial journey.
Want to Get Smarter With Your Finances?
You’ve seen how losses can be used well. But what about before you invest?
Here are two free tools to help you take the next step without confusion:
📘 7 Key Steps to Investing: Free Guide
Discover what every doctor should know before investing a single penny:
👉 moneywisedoctor.com/investing
🧠 Investing Readiness Safety Scorecard
Takes just 2 minutes. No jargon. Instantly shows you what you’ve missed.
👉 moneywiseinvestor.scoreapp.com
Let’s help more medics stop guessing and start investing with clarity.
🔗 Don’t Miss This: The One Blog Every Medic Should Read About Risk
For more insights on finding your investing risk sweet spot as a medic, check out:
👉 What’s Your Investing Risk Appetite? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)
Final Word
Ready to get clear on your investing risk as a doctor? Download our free guide and take the scorecard.
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Together, we can build a financially secure future 💼💰