VCT, EIS & SEIS compared

At HJS Accountants we can advise individuals in the Southampton area on a range of tax-saving opportunities. The following article compares Venture Capital Trusts, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme.

The reliefs for Venture Capital Trusts (VCT), the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are similar in many respects, but there are some significant differences. The table below highlights the main reliefs. For further details see the factsheets for each type of investment.

  VCT EIS SEIS
Annual investment limit £200,000 £1 million * £200,000
Income tax relief for subscribers 30% 30% 50%
Clawback if held for less than 5 years 3 years 3 years
Reinvestment relief period
– before gain made N/A 1 year Same tax year
– after gain made N/A 3 years  
Tax free dividends? Yes No No
Tax free capital gains? Yes Yes (after 3 years) Yes (after 3 years)
Tax relief for losses? No Yes Yes
IHT business property relief? No Yes Yes

* This is increased to £2 million provided that anything above £1 million is invested in knowledge-intensive companies. There is no limit on CGT deferral for EIS.

For more information on Venture Capital Trusts, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, individuals in the Southampton area should contact HJS Accountants.

Southampton Office

HJS Accountants
Tagus House
9 Ocean Way
Southampton
Hampshire
SO14 3TJ

Tel: 023 8023 4222

Winchester Office

HJS Accountants
6 Charlecote Mews
Staple Gardens
Winchester
SO23 8SR

Tel: 01962 842000

Reading Office

HJS Reading
3 Richfield Place
Richfield Avenue
Reading, Berkshire
RG1 8EQ

Tel: 0118 951 1115