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Investor Guide

EIS Tax Reliefs

For UK investors utilising the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) when investing in early stage companies, a host of generous tax reliefs can be claimed to aid in minimising risk and maximising returns.

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Which Tax Reliefs does the EIS Offer?

5 Key Tax Advantages

From 30% income tax relief to capital gains tax exemption, the broad range of tax advantages available to investors under the Enterprise Investment Scheme is among the most generous to exist in the UK venture capital space.

Serving a variety of functions, alongside minimising the risk and maximising the returns associated with early stage investments, the EIS's five main tax reliefs can facilitate an inroad to impact investing, help to build a positively diversified investment portfolio, and play a key role in future tax planning for experienced investors.

1. Income Tax Relief

30% Income Tax Relief up to £600,000


Investors can claim up to 30% income tax relief on EIS investments up to £1 million per tax year (extending to £2 million should all investment over the original threshold be invested into knowledge intensive companies [KICs]) should shares be held for at least three years.

Reducing some of the risk traditionally associated with investing in early stage companies by claiming a proportion of the EIS investment back in income tax relief, this advantage alone offers investors the potential to claim up to £600,000 back in tax per annum (providing income tax eligibility criteria is met).

As well as being able to claim income tax relief for the year that the investment was made, through EIS carry back relief, should an investor instead wish to treat the 30% relief as if was made in the previous tax year (to suit personal tax panning circumstances) they can do so.

For example: should an investor pledge £50,000 into an EIS investment opportunity, once their EIS3 certificate has been received (distributed upon the issuing of shares), they will be able to claim up to £15,000 of that sum back via a deduction from that or the previous tax year's income tax bill.


Claiming EIS income tax relief is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed by either applying for and filing a self assessment tax return (should you pay tax solely through PAYE), or by entering the details of your EIS3 form upon completion of an annual tax return (if you are a business owner or self-employed). 

2. Tax-Free Growth

Capital Gains Tax Exemption


EIS capital gains tax relief offers investors the opportunity to generate considerable tax-free growth over time by making any gains realised on the value of EIS shares 100% CGT-free at the point of disposal (a relief shared by its sister scheme, the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme).

Negating the usual UK CGT liability of 10% for basic rate taxpayers (or 18% for property sales) and 20% for higher/additional rate taxpayers (or 28% for property sales) due upon the point of the disposal, EIS CGT exemption can act as a powerful advantage for maximising returns when compared to many traditional equity routes.

For example:  should an investor pledge £50,000 in an EIS investment opportunity, and their shares be valued at £150,000 upon the point of disposal, the £100,000 gain (that would usually be liable to a £20,000 deduction) will be completely capital gains tax free.


In order to qualify for EIS capital gains tax exemption, shares must have been held for at least three years from either the date of issue or commencement of trading (whichever is later), and the company must remain EIS-eligible for at least that three year period.

When claiming EIS capital gains tax relief, the gain does not need to be included in your usual disposal proceeds (being an exempt gain and automatic relief), but the details should be included in the 'Any other information' section of your capital gains summary form should you file an annual tax return.

3. Capital Gains Tax Deferral

Defer CGT Due on the Sale of Other Assets


One of the lesser-known, but perhaps most advantageous of the EIS's tax reliefs, EIS deferral relief allows investors to defer a payment of CGT that has arose from the sale of any other asset (providing the gain is invested into EIS-eligible shares).

This effectively means that investors can treat gains they have acquired from shares, property sales, or any other chargeable asset as though they had been acquired in future years, offering investors the power to reorganise their tax liabilities to best make use of annual tax allowances and personal circumstances. 

For example: should a higher/additional rate taxpayer sell a property and make a capital gain of £100,000, where usually that individual would be required to pay £28,000 of their gain in CGT (28% on property), EIS deferral relief will allow them to receive the full sum of the gain and defer the CGT due to a later year.


In order to qualify for deferral relief,  HMRC state that the gain must be invested into EIS-eligible shares within one year prior or three years after it arises. The gain will cease to be deferred when the EIS shares are sold, and there is no upper limit to the value of gains that can be deferred.

To claim EIS deferral relief you can either complete the claim form attached to your EIS3 certificate and attach this to the capital gains summary page of your annual tax return (should you be eligible for one), or by completing a HMRC online self-assessment form should you PAYE, stating your wish to defer the gain.

4. Inheritance Tax Relief

Shares Passed on Inheritance Tax Free


Another tax advantage shared by both the EIS and SEIS, inheritance tax relief allows investors to pass on EIS shares inheritance tax-free, without being liable to the usual 40% IHT rate due in the UK on estates valued over £325,000. 

A powerful tool for minimising inheritance tax liabilities when planning for later life - providing the investment was made at least two years before passing - EIS IHT relief has the potential to minimise capital erosion and maximise the proportion of an estate that is inherited. 

For example: should an investor who has exceeded the £325,000 IHT nil-rate band pledge £200,000 in EIS shares two years before passing, rather than having to forfeit £80,000 of that sum in inheritance tax (mandatory under certain savings accounts), they can pass the full value of their shares on IHT and CGT free.


IHT relief is obtained by claiming business relief (BR). A claim for BR is normally made during the settlement of the shareholder’s estate, whereby the executors will need to complete a copy of probate return form IHT 412 and return this to HMRC as part of the overall probate process. HMRC will then assess the claim.

5. Loss Relief

Minimising the Risk of Early Stage Investments


Among the less understood of the scheme's tax reliefs, EIS loss relief provides investors with a safety net should an unexpected event arise with their portfolio company, offering them the ability to offset any potential loss realised on their EIS investment against their marginal rate of income tax or capital gains tax.

By offsetting a potential loss against their income tax bill for the current or previous tax year, or instead against their CGT bill for the current or future years, loss relief allows investors to mitigate some of the risk associated with investing in startups and scaleups.

EIS loss relief is calculated by multiplying your effective loss (the value you originally invested minus the return you realised and value of income tax relief you claimed) by either your marginal rate of income tax or rate of capital gains tax (dependent on which route you choose).

For example: should a higher rate taxpayer investor invest £50,000 in an EIS opportunity, of which they have already claimed £15,000 back in income tax and only realised £5,000 in returns, they could then multiply their effective loss of £30,000 by their 45% rate of income tax to claim back a total of £13,500 in loss relief.


Though there are a number of caveats to be aware of when claiming EIS loss relief, essentially investors can claim loss relief by completing the SA108 form on their annual tax return. To report on this section, investors must complete the 'Unlisted shares and securities' section, stating the effective loss to offset against income. 

The GCV Portfolio

Our Most Recent EIS-eligible Opportunities

Having raised over £10 million across EIS-eligible investment rounds for a broad range of portfolio companies, at GCV we possess a wealth of experience in originating and facilitating growth-focused, impact-driven EIS investment opportunities.

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Round 3
Growth
Open For Investment

Growth Capital Ventures

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Round: Round 3
Minimum Investment: £ 5,000
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Growth Capital Ventures
Round 3
Series A
Open For Investment

Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 250,000
Funds Raised: £ 263,855
Round: Round 3
Minimum Investment: £ 1,000
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)
Growth
Open For Investment

CoreHaus

Sector: Advanced Manufacturing
Target Sought: £ 2,000,000
Minimum Investment: £ 5,000
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about CoreHaus
Round 1
Completed

Hive.Hr

Sector: HR Tech
Target Sought: £ 150,000
Funds Raised: £ 303,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Hive.Hr
Round 1
Completed

Intelligence Fusion

Sector: SaaS
Target Sought: £ 400,000
Funds Raised: £ 556,800
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Intelligence Fusion
Round 2
Completed

Hive.Hr

Sector: HR Tech
Target Sought: £ 300,000
Funds Raised: £ 1,150,000
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Hive.Hr
Round 1
Completed

QikServe

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 2,500,000
Funds Raised: £ 2,624,694
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about QikServe
Round 1
Completed

n-gage.io

Sector: SaaS
Target Sought: £ 150,000
Funds Raised: £ 170,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about n-gage.io
Round 1
Completed

Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 150,000
Funds Raised: £ 225,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)
Round 1
Completed

Growth Capital Ventures

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 500,000
Funds Raised: £ 561,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Growth Capital Ventures
Round 2
Completed

Growth Capital Ventures

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Funds Raised: £ 1,290,410
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Growth Capital Ventures
Round 2
Super Seed
Completed

Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Funds Raised: £ 800,000
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)
Round 1
Growth
Completed

Finexos

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 500,000
Funds Raised: £ 695,456
Round: Round 1
Minimum Investment: £ 500
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Finexos

Free Investor Guide

Enterprise Investment Scheme.

For investors interested in supporting high-growth, early-stage businesses, the EIS is one of the most generous tax incentives to aid in maximising returns and minimising risk.
This free guide gives an in-depth insight into how the EIS can enable you to:
  • Claim 30% income tax relief
  • Pay zero capital gains tax when selling EIS shares
  • Defer capital gains tax to following years
  • Pass on your investment free of inheritance tax
  • Claim loss relief should an unexpected event arise
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Minimise Risk. Maximise Returns.

Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.
Risk Summary

Estimated reading time: 2 min

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

What are the key risks?

  • You could lose all the money you invest
  • Most investments are shares in start-up businesses or bonds issued by them. Investors in these shares or bonds often lose 100% of the money they invested, as most start-up businesses fail.
  • Checks on the businesses you are investing in, such as how well they are expected to perform, may not have been carried out by the platform you are investing through. You should do your own research before investing.

You won't get your money back quickly

  • Even if the business you invest in is successful, it will likely take several years to get your money back.
  • The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.
  • Start-up businesses very rarely pay you back through dividends. You should not expect to get your money back this way.
  • Some platforms may give you the opportunity to sell your investment early through a 'secondary market' or 'bulletin board', but there is no guarantee you will find a buyer at the price you are willing to sell.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

  • Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. Learn more here.

The value of your investment can be reduced

  • If your investment is shares, the percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.
  • These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don't have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.

You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong

  • Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker.
  • Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated platform, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.

For further information about investment-based crowdfunding, visit the crowdfunding section of the FCA's website here.

Driving Growth.
Creating Value.
Delivering Impact.

Backed by

Growth Capital Ventures (GCV) is backed by funds managed by Maven Capital Partners, one of the UK’s leading private equity and alternative asset managers.