Investment reliefs • Sussex
EIS and SEIS Advice in Haywards Heath
Raising investment? SEIS and EIS make your company far more attractive to investors. We check eligibility, apply for HMRC advance assurance and handle the compliance so investors get their relief.
- Advance assurance applications to HMRC
- Compliance statements (SEIS1 / EIS1)
- Investor certificates issued correctly
- Investors: relief claimed on your return
SEIS and EIS key limits
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| SEIS investor relief | 50% income tax relief, on up to £200,000 a year |
| SEIS company limits | Up to £250,000 raised in total, under 3 years trading, fewer than 25 employees, gross assets up to £350,000 |
| EIS investor relief | 30% income tax relief, on up to £1 million a year (£2 million if the excess is in knowledge-intensive companies) |
| EIS company limits (from April 2026) | Higher annual and lifetime limits, gross assets up to £30 million before the share issue, fewer than 250 employees |
| Holding period | Shares must usually be held for at least 3 years |
How we help companies
Eligibility check
Trade, age, size, use of funds and share rights all have to fit. We check before you promise relief to investors.
Advance assurance
We prepare the application to HMRC with your business plan and documents.
After the raise
We file the compliance statement and issue the certificates investors need.
Keeping relief safe
Some later changes can withdraw investors’ relief. We flag risks before you make them.
Investors
We claim SEIS and EIS relief on your tax return, including carry-back to the previous year and CGT deferral or reinvestment relief where available. See also Capital Gains Tax advice.
EIS and SEIS FAQs
- Do I need advance assurance?
- It is not compulsory, but most investors expect it before they invest. It gives comfort that HMRC agrees the company should qualify.
- Can a company use both SEIS and EIS?
- Yes. Many start-ups raise SEIS first, then EIS for later rounds.
- How long does advance assurance take?
- HMRC processing times vary, so apply well before your funding round.
Planning a funding round?
Book a free consultation with our Haywards Heath team.
This page is general information, not personal tax or investment advice.