Back young British companies and keep more of what you earn

The Enterprise Investment Scheme rewards people who invest in early-stage UK businesses with generous tax reliefs. EIS Connect explains how it works and helps you decide if it suits you.

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30%income tax relief
0%capital gains tax on growth
3 yrsminimum holding period

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What is EIS?

The Enterprise Investment Scheme is a government scheme that shares the risk of backing start-ups.

Young companies are risky to invest in, so they can struggle to raise money. Since 1994, EIS has given investors tax relief in return for buying new shares in qualifying UK companies and holding them for at least three years.

The business gets the funding it needs to grow. You get a cushion if things go wrong and tax-free growth if they go right.

  1. You buy shares

    You buy new shares in a company that qualifies for EIS.

  2. The company grows

    Your money funds hiring, product development and growth.

  3. You receive your certificate

    The company sends you an EIS3 form, which you use to claim your relief through HMRC.

  4. You hold for three years

    Keep the shares for the minimum period and the reliefs are yours to keep.

Cover of The EIS Guide by EIS Connect

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  • How each tax relief works
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  • The risks, explained plainly
  • Questions to ask before you invest

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See it with your numbers

Drag the slider and watch how the reliefs share the risk with you.

£25,000
Your income tax rate

If the company failed, who would carry the loss?

Income tax reliefLoss reliefYou
Income tax relief at 30%
Your cost after relief
Loss relief if it fails
The most you could lose
For illustration only. Assumes you pay enough income tax to use the reliefs in full and hold the shares for three years.

Why invest in EIS?

No other mainstream UK scheme stacks this many tax advantages on one investment.

30%

Money back on your income tax

Claim 30% of what you invest against your income tax bill.

0%

Tax-free growth

Sell at a profit after three years and there is no capital gains tax to pay.

Defer

Put a gain on hold

Reinvest a gain from another asset and the tax on it waits until you sell.

Offset

A softer landing on losses

If a company fails, your loss can be set against your income tax.

2 yrs

Help with inheritance tax

Shares held for two years can qualify for Business Relief, within the allowances that apply.

UK

You back real businesses

Your money goes straight into British companies that are hiring and building.

Could it suit you?

Tick the ones that sound like you.

0 of 4. Tick any that apply.

How it works

Three steps, and you do not need an account.

1

Fill in the form

Six quick questions. It takes under a minute.

2

We get in touch

Someone from the team contacts you to talk through what you are looking for.

3

You decide

Take your time, ask questions and speak to your adviser. There is no obligation.

Ready to see where you stand?

It takes under a minute. No login, no jargon.

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Tell us a little about you and we will be in touch.