Accessibility links

MENU

+44 (0)1707 897000

VCT, EIS & SEIS compared

An at-a-glance comparison of tax efficient schemes.

  1. Resources
  2. Your money
  3. Savings & investments

At Lovetts we can advise individuals in the Hatfield 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 facts sheets for each type of investment.

  VCT EIS SEIS
Annual investment limit £200,000 £1 million * £100,000
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 more information on Venture Capital Trusts, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, individuals in the Hatfield area should contact Lovetts.

The latest news

23 Aug

HMRC penalties for PAYE late filing and late payment to remain risk-based

Following a review, HMRC has said it will continue its risk-based approach to Pay as You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI) late filing and late payment penalties this tax year.

22 Aug

HMRC advises VAT-registered businesses to plan for potential no-deal Brexit

HMRC has written to 145,000 VAT-registered businesses that only trade with the EU, advising them to plan ahead for a potential no-deal Brexit.

21 Aug

UK manufacturing output 'stabilised in three months to August', CBI finds

Manufacturing output in the UK stabilised in the three months to August, according to data published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).