Budget 2009 - Tax-favoured Investments
Investors in small, relatively high-risk, trading companies may be eligible for special tax reliefs under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) or the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme. The equivalent scheme for companies is the Corporate Venturing Scheme (CVS). Some welcome changes to these reliefs have been announced today.
Previously it was necessary for 80% of the money to be used by the company for a qualifying purpose within 12 months of the investment and the remaining 20% to be used within 24 months. This rule has been relaxed and, for investments made on or after 22 April 2009, it will simply be necessary for 100% of the money to be used within 24 months.
For individual EIS investors, an even more useful change is made to the ability to claim relief in the previous tax year. Subject to there being sufficient income in charge to tax, the individual can claim for the income tax relief (20% of the amount subscribed) to be given in the tax year prior to the year of investment. This was previously limited to shares issued before 6 October and to half of EIS subscriptions up to an overall limit of £50,000 subscribed. For 2009/10 these restrictions are lifted, allowing the relief for the total EIS investment (limited to £500,000 subscribed) to be carried back.
Comment on this blog in the space provided below. Rachel Haddow is a Corporate Tax Manager at Mercer & Hole.
