Tax reliefs for individuals

EIS, SEIS, VCTs and SIR.

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) provides tax relief for individuals prepared to invest in new and growing companies. Investors can obtain generous income tax and capital gains tax (CGT) breaks for their investment and companies can use the relief to attract additional investment to develop their business. Individuals are entitled to relief on investments in certain unquoted trading companies through EIS. A junior version of EIS the SEIS is also available.

Maximum investment per annum: £1,000,000

Additional investment limit where investing in knowledge-intensive companies: £2,000,000

Income tax relief: 30%

CGT treatment on disposal if held for 3 years: Exempt

Capital gains from the disposal of other assets may be deferred by making an EIS investment.

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) provides tax relief for individuals prepared to invest in new and growing companies. Investors can obtain generous income tax and capital gains tax (CGT) breaks for their investment and companies can use the relief to attract additional investment to develop their business. SEIS is a junior version of EIS.

Maximum investment per annum: £200,000 1

Income tax relief: 50%

CGT treatment on disposal if held for 3 years: Exempt

An individual who makes a capital gain on another asset and uses the amount of the gain to make a SEIS investment will not pay tax on 50% of the gain (subject to certain conditions).

Capital gains from the disposal of other assets may be exempt up to £100,000* per annum by making an SEIS investment.

1 Limits subject to Parliamentary approval.

Social Investment Relief (SIR)

Social Investment Relief (SIR) was designed to encourage private individuals to invest in social enterprises including charities.

SIR closed to any new investments from 6 April 2023.

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are designed to encourage private individuals to invest in smaller high-risk unquoted trading companies. VCTs operate by indirect investment through a mediated fund. In effect they are very like the investment trusts that are obtainable on the stock exchange, albeit in a high-risk environment. Individuals are entitled to relief on investments in VCTs.

Maximum investment per annum: £200,000

Income tax relief: 30%

Dividend income: Exempt

Capital gains treatment on disposal: Exempt

(All reliefs are subject to detailed conditions being met.)

Got a question?

Why not fill out our quick contact form below and a member of the team will respond shortly.

Receive our FREE monthly eNEWS, keeping you up to date with the latest news.

Registration on our website is quick and simple. On registration you will benefit from:

  • Our FREE monthly eNEWS email newsletter which will keep you up to date with the latest news (this service is optional)
  • On registration we'll email FREE resources to you with our compliments.

You only have to register once. You will be given a username and password that you can use at any time to log back into our website.

Register here

The latest topical new story.

Apprenticeship overhaul

The latest changes.

Learn more

QuickBooks