The Enterprise Investment Scheme offers two-way benefits to applicable small businesses and investors. Those who do invest in these companies can reduce their tax liability by up to £300,000.
What is the Enterprise Investment Scheme?
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is a UK Government investment programme designed to help small companies that are considered risky to attract investors. Investors that buy shares in these risky - but often innovative - companies will receive tax relief, making an investment more lucrative.
Investors can reduce their tax liability by up to £300,000 for investing under the EIS scheme. Moreover, if the investor decides to sell the shares in the future, any profits made on these shares will not be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The shares must be owned for at least three years and can be purchased through the EIS fund or via the business directly.
Both the small business and investors must abide by regulations to ensure the overarching goal of small business investment is maintained, and so that the system is not abused for tax relief.
What companies can use the EIS?
Small businesses that want to use the EIS must:
- Have a maximum of £15 million in gross assets
- Have a maximum of 250 employees
- Have at least seven years since the business’s first commercial sale
- Not already be trading shares on a recognised stock exchange
These are the general conditions for a company to use EIS. There may be higher limits for other businesses carrying out research and innovative activities.
What can the money be used for?
The money raised by the business through selling shares must be used within two years in most instances, and it must be used on a “qualifying trade”. The money can be spent on preparing, researching or developing something that would lead to the qualifying trade activity.
The rules on what does and doesn’t qualify can be complex.
How to apply for EIS
A business can apply to use the EIS by providing an extensive list of documents to prove your business qualifies for the scheme. These documents will need to be sent to HMRC’s Venture Capital Relief Team. If the application is successful, HMRC will respond with a compliance certificate that can be shared with investors so they can claim tax relief.
The process is worthwhile for many businesses and their investors, but it can also be complex.
ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SCHEMES (EIS) INVEST IN ASSETS THAT ARE HIGH RISK AND CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SELL.
THE VALUE OF THE INVESTMENT AND THE INCOME FROM IT CAN FALL AS WELL AS RISE AND INVESTORS MAY NOT GET BACK WHAT THEY ORIGINALLY INVESTED, EVEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE TAX BENEFITS.
TAX TREATMENT VARIES ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THIS SERVICE MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR NEW CLIENTS.
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FAQ'S
We offer a free no-obligation initial consultation, which will allow us to identify your financial planning needs and to determine what services are most suitable for you.
On this meeting, we will provide you with and discuss our Terms of Business brochure. This document clearly details our fees for all areas of advice we provide. We understand individuals’ have different needs and objectives and after our consultation we will be able to confirm our fees. At no point will any chargeable work be undertaken until you are made aware of any associated fees. We are always happy to answer any questions about how and when our fees are payable, however we may not be able to confirm the exact fee until we have completed an initial consultation.
Yes, of course. We welcome the opportunity for you to invite family or a third-party representative to come along to our meetings if you would like the presence of a familiar face. We endeavour to support you, so please make us aware of any additional requirements or provision you require prior to our meeting.
We can meet face to face at our offices in Bexley. Our address is Unit 34 The Hop Store, Old Bexley Business Park, 19 Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1LR.
We can also facilitate home meetings if required, or video and phone calls if this is more convenient for you
We provide a range of advice services, including mortgages & protection, investments, financial planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. If you wish to discuss your enquiry further, please feel free to call the team on 01322 958222.
Yes, Sidney Curtis Financial Limited is an appointed representative of Quilter Financial Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is registered on the FCA register with Firm Reference Number 440703. Sidney Curtis Financial Limited is also registered on the FCA Register with Firm Reference Number 1052400.
We offer a free no-obligation initial consultation, which will allow us to identify your financial planning needs and to determine what services are most suitable for you.
On this meeting, we will provide you with and discuss our Terms of Business brochure. This document clearly details our fees for all areas of advice we provide. We understand individuals’ have different needs and objectives and after our consultation we will be able to confirm our fees. At no point will any chargeable work be undertaken until you are made aware of any associated fees. We are always happy to answer any questions about how and when our fees are payable, however we may not be able to confirm the exact fee until we have completed an initial consultation.
Yes, of course. We welcome the opportunity for you to invite family or a third-party representative to come along to our meetings if you would like the presence of a familiar face. We endeavour to support you, so please make us aware of any additional requirements or provision you require prior to our meeting.
We can meet face to face at our offices in Bexley. Our address is Unit 34 The Hop Store, Old Bexley Business Park, 19 Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1LR.
We can also facilitate home meetings if required, or video and phone calls if this is more convenient for you
We provide a range of advice services, including mortgages & protection, investments, financial planning, retirement planning, and estate planning. If you wish to discuss your enquiry further, please feel free to call the team on 01322 958222.
Yes, Sidney Curtis Financial Limited is an appointed representative of Quilter Financial Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is registered on the FCA register with Firm Reference Number 440703. Sidney Curtis Financial Limited is also registered on the FCA Register with Firm Reference Number 1052400.