VCT, EIS & SEIS compared

At BPU we can advise individuals in the Cardiff 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 Cardiff area should contact BPU.

Home | Contact us | Accessibility | Disclaimer | GDPR (including Standard Terms of Business) | Help | Site map |

© 2024 BPU Accountants. All rights reserved.

We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here.


BPU Chartered Accountants is the trading name of BPU Ltd Company number 3723948 registered in Wales. Registered to carry on audit work in the UK and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

BPU Financial Solutions Ltd is an Appointed Representative of ValidPath Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. ValidPath Limited is entered on the Financial Services register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 197107.

BPU Accountants, Radnor House, Greenwood Close, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8AA
BPU Accountants, The Counting House, Pound Field, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1DL