FORMS OF TAX RELIEFS (OVERVIEW)

The Enterprise Investment Scheme ("EIS") is a government scheme that provides a range of tax reliefs for investors who subscribe for qualifying shares in qualifying companies. There are five current separate EIS tax reliefs.

Income tax relief:

Provided an EIS qualifying investment is held for no less than three years from the date of issue, or three years from commencement of trade, if later, an individual with no more than a 30% interest in the company can reduce their income tax liability by an amount equal to 20% of the amount invested. The minimum subscription is £500 per company and the maximum per investor is £500,000 per annum. Where an individual subscribes for qualifying shares before 6 October in a tax year, a claim may be made to carry back one half of the amount subscribed to the previous tax year, subject to a maximum of £50,000. (Click Here For Details)

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CGT Deferral Relief:

Tax on gains realised on a different asset can be deferred indefinitely, where disposal of that asset was less than 36 months before the EIS investment or less than 12 months after it. Deferral relief is unlimited, in other words, this relief is not limited to investments of £500,000 per annum and can also be claimed by investors (individuals or trustees) whose interest in the company exceeds 30%. This can be done on a sequential or serial basis. (Click Here For Details)

CGT Freedom:

No Capital Gains Tax payable on disposal of shares after three years, or three years after commencement of trade, if later, provided the EIS initial income tax relief was given and not withdrawn on those shares. (Click Here For Details)

Loss Relief:

If EIS shares are disposed of at any time at a loss (after taking into account income tax relief), such loss can be set against the investor's capital gains or his income in the year of disposal or the previous year. For gains offset against income tax, the net effect is to limit the investment exposure to 48p in the £1 for a 40% tax payer if the shares become totally worthless. Alternatively the losses can be offset against Capital Gains Tax at the prevailing rate - 18% from tax year 2008/09. (Click Here For Details)

Inheritance Tax Exemption:

EIS Investments are generally exempt from Inheritance Tax after two years of holding such investment. (Click Here For Details)