EIS and SEIS Investment Solicitors

What Are EIS and SEIS Investments?

Both the EIS and SEIS provide generous tax reliefs to individuals investing in eligible businesses:

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)

Offers 30% income tax relief on an individual investments up to £1 million per year, along with exemption from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on qualifying shares held for at least three years.

Investment must take place within 7 years of commencement of trading.

Companies can accept up to £5M of EIS investment each tax year, but no more than £12M total.

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS):

SEIS provides 50% income tax relief and an individual can invest up to £200,000, along with exemption from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on qualifying shares held for at least three years.

Designed for start-ups with under 3 years trading age and under 25 employees.

A company can accept no more than £250,000 SEIS funding total.

These tax reliefs and their criteria are subject to change, you can find more information on the Gov website for EIS and SEIS.

How We Support Your EIS and SEIS Investment

Our corporate team works closely with businesses and their accountants/tax advisors to maximise the available benefits and ensure that the complex conditions for each tax relief are met. We offer expert guidance through every stage of the process, including:

• Ensuring the investment meets EIS and SEIS eligibility criteria and avoiding pitfalls such as pre-existing associations with the company.
• Advising on the risks and legal obligations tied to EIS and SEIS investments
• Drafting Advance Subscription Agreements (ASA’s) which qualify under HMRC guidance to ensure that any funds advanced to the company prior to completion of the investment do not jeopardise the tax treatment.
• Preparing bespoke articles of association and shareholder agreements that align with EIS and SEIS conditions while protecting your business.
• Advising on investments when raising funds through both SEIS and EIS
• Assisting with the ultimate exit of the investors, and moving on to subsequent fundraising rounds

Working alongside your tax advisors to secure available tax reliefs and ensure accurate documentation, by ensuring that the all aspects of the investment qualifies for EIS and/or SEIS treatment.

Why Choose Slater Heelis?

At Slater Heelis, we bring legal excellence to every EIS and SEIS transaction. Our corporate team is recognised in the top tier for Chambers Corporate Law/M&A in the North West.

We also work closely with in-house specialists across commercial law, dispute resolution, commercial property, and employment law to provide a seamless and comprehensive service for businesses.

We are dedicated to ensuring your investment is completed efficiently and on the best possible terms. With extensive experience across a wide range of industries, we offer sector-specific knowledge that allows us to provide tailored advice aligned with your business objectives.

Whether you are an investor seeking to benefit from EIS or SEIS tax relief, or a business looking to attract investment, Slater Heelis is here to guide you through the process with confidence and clarity.