Enterprise Investment Schemes - (EIS)

Enterprise Investment Schemes are a relatively new type of investment introduced by the Government to encourage investment into smaller companies in need of additional finance as start-up capital or to expand the business.

As these companies tend to be relatively small and start-ups, these investments can be in a higher risk bracket than ordinary investments into equities.

To encourage investment into these companies, major tax incentives and benefits were introduced with the investments. The Enterprise Investment Scheme offers a different and complementary set of tax breaks to those offered by VCTs particularly. The EIS scheme is now the only UK tax efficient scheme to offer Capital Gains Tax ("CGT") Deferral. The scheme also offers income tax relief at 20%, capital gains free growth and, through Business Property Relief, relief from Inheritance Tax ("IHT") if the shares are held for more than two years.

Enterprise Investment Schemes are complex investments and are not suitable for everyone, you should seek independent financial advice before entering into this type of investment.

Levels and bases of and reliefs from taxation are subject to change and their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount invested.