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Venture Capital Tax Relief.

Tax breaks for investors.

Investing in small companies can be risky, which is one of the reasons why venture capital schemes were set up in the 1990s. There are substantial tax reliefs to be claimed, but there are also stringent conditions that must be met by both the company or enterprise, and by you as the investor.

The three main schemes that offer tax breaks are:

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)
Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR)

A tax saving vehicle that encourages innovation.

Individuals investing in innovative companies and social enterprises that are not listed on any recognised stock exchange may be able to claim Income Tax Relief or Capital Gains Tax Relief. The kind of tax relief you can claim is dependent on the scheme you use. You may be able to claim:

Income Tax relief against your investment in qualifying companies, enterprises or venture capital trusts. You can claim up to 30% in income tax relief on the amount that you invest
Income Tax relief against a loan or ‘debt instrument’ to a social enterprise
Capital Gains Tax relief on any gains you make on your investment
Capital Gains Tax relief when you reinvest a previous gain in a scheme

There are lengthy and complex eligibility requirements for the schemes, and in almost all cases you need to keep your investment in the qualifying business for at least three years (and five years for a venture capital trust) to claim the available tax reliefs.

The tax advantages of venture capital schemes and venture capital trusts need to be balanced against the increased risks facing small companies and start-ups which are statistically more likely to fail than larger businesses. If you are considering investing in any of these schemes you are strongly recommended to talk to tax and financial planning advisers who can explain more and help you to evaluate if these are the right investment strategies for you.

Diversifying your portfolio

While the share prices of listed companies are affected by national and international factors, the trajectory of smaller companies is usually very different, and they are often able to react more quickly and flexibly to external influences. Many of our clients are enthusiastic about supporting up-and-coming businesses, recognising that they are helping to create jobs, prosperity and economic growth.

Added to this is the pension ruling that limits the amount an individual can save annually or over their lifetime into a private pension scheme before penalties are incurred. All this may mean that venture capital schemes and venture capital trusts could be a useful part of your retirement planning, especially where the tax reliefs can be deployed.

As with any investment decision, it is important to be aware of, and comfortable with, any associated risks that may come with the strategy you have adopted. Tax regulations may be amended, your circumstances may change, and of course businesses may fail.

“What a pleasure it has been working with each and every one of you over the last 6 months. Approachable, extremely knowledgeable in your fields and supportive – I truly felt you were working with me each step of the way. Scrutton Bland are incredibly luckily to have such talented people working for them with great customer relationships.”

Fiona Wilder, Finance Manager, Belmont Green Finance Limited

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At Scrutton Bland, you’ll always have at least two points of contact, so that you can get in touch with the team and receive the highest level of service. Meet our team.

Forward-thinking, impartial advice.

Do you have a specific tax issue you’d like to discuss? Or are you simply looking for a long-term plan that protects the financial future of the children and young people you want to provide for? We’re here to provide you with answers.

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