SEIS and EIS tax relief London

SEIS and EIS tax relief London

Taxaccolega, London-based accounting firm is dedicated to giving our clients the most recent details on tax relief programs that can help them with their investment plans and business expansion. The Enterprise Investment Scheme London(EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme Croydon (SEIS) are two such programs that provide investors in early-stage businesses with attractive tax incentives.

 

SEIS and EIS tax relief London?
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme Croydon (SEIS) is designed to help small, early-stage businesses raise equity finance by offering tax reliefs to individual investors who buy new shares in those companies.
EIS investment scheme London, in contrast, provides tax relief to investors by making it easier for larger businesses to invest in businesses that are engaged in qualifying trades.

SEIS vs EIS Comparison UK: Key Points
Our SEIS vs EIS tax relief and SEIS vs EIS comparison UK guide highlights the SEIS vs EIS eligibility criteria London and investment thresholds, helping investors weigh the tax advantages of SEIS vs EIS.

Feature
SEIS (2025/26)
Target Company Stage
Very early-stage (up to 3 years trading)
Employee limit
25 employees
Maximum Investment by Company
£250,000
Gross assets limit
£350,000
Maximum Investment per Investor
£100,000 per tax year
Income Tax Relief
50%
Investor Eligibility
Individual UK taxpayers only
Advance Assurance
Available
Investment type
Full-risk ordinary shares
Capital Gains Reinvestment Relief
Exempts 50% of a gain if reinvested into SEIS shares
Capital Gains Disposal Relief
No CGT on gains from SEIS shares held 3+ years
Loss Relief
Offset losses against income or gains
Inheritance Tax (IHT) Relief
100% exemption(Share must held for at least 2 years)
Feature
EIS (2025/26)
Target Company Stage
Early to mid-stage (up to 7 years trading)
Employee limit
250 employees
Maximum Investment by Company
£12 million
Gross assets limit
£15 million
Maximum Investment per Investor
£5 million per tax year
Income Tax Relief
30%
Investor Eligibility
Individual and corporate UK taxpayers
Advance Assurance
Available
Investment type
Full-risk ordinary shares
Capital Gains Disposal Relief
No CGT on gains from EIS shares held 3+ years
Loss Relief
Losses on EIS shares can be offset against gains or income.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) Relief
100% exemption(Share must held for at least 2 years)

How This Affects Your Business

Some businesses will benefit from the higher Employment Allowance. But for many, the increase in NICs will lead to:

Increased Payroll Expenses

What does this signify?

Every employee in your company will now receive a higher NIC payment, particularly if they make more than £5,000 annually. Your company will need to pay more for wages and salaries as a result of the NIC rate increase from 13.8% to 15%.

For instance, your payroll expenses may increase affectedly if you employ a large number of people or minimum wage workers.

Lower profits

What does this signify?

Your company will make less money since it is spending more on NICs (and possibly other growing expenses). This implies that after all costs (such as salaries, bills, and taxes) are covered, you have less money.

For instance, your profit margin—the amount of money left over after expenses—will decrease even if your revenue remains constant. This is because you will have to pay more in NICs and other expenses.

Less cash available for growth or hiring

What does this mean?

Your company can have less money to invest in expansion or hiring additional staff if expense is higher and profit is lower. This might restrict your company from expanding, creating new avenues, or having more work.

For instance, if your expenses are increasing, you may opt to postpone the recruitment of more staff, the purchase of new machinery, or the establishment of a new branch in a bid to budget for the increased NIC costs.

Greater Effect on Bigger Teams

The impact of these changes will be even greater if you have a large workforce. Each person will pay a higher NIC, which could result in numerous additional expenses.

For instance, one business disclosed that the increase in NICs will result in a £400,000 increase in staff expenses the following year. As a result, they may need to lay off 20 workers in order to cover the additional expenses.

Strategies for managing higher NIC costs

You don’t have to panic. There are steps you can take to save costs and keep your business strong. Here are some suggestions:

1. Check if you can claim the new Employment Allowance

The Employment Allowance allows small businesses to save their NIC bill by up to 10,500 a year.

Example: If you hire 3 employees, this allowance might cover most or all of your NICs for them!

We can help you on employer NIC solutions at Taxaccolega work out whether you qualify and claim the employment allowance to reduce your NIC payment.

2. Use salary sacrifice

This means employees can exchange part of their salary for things like pension contributions. This reduces your NICs.

 For instance, you can save £300 in NICs (15% of £2,000) if an employee agrees to take £2,000 less in salary and you put it into their pension.

To maximise your NICs and employee benefits, our skilled accountants at Taxaccolega can help you set up a salary sacrifice plan.

3. Use freelancers or self-employed workers

Think about using contractors or freelancers rather than full-time employees. Employer NICs are typically less expensive.

For instance, it may be less expensive to hire a freelancer rather than hire a full-time staff member if you need assistance with a project.

4. Outsource where possible

Consider outsourcing jobs like payroll, marketing, or HR to reduce permanent staff costs.

Example: By outsourcing your payroll processing to experts like Taxaccolega, you can reduce the cost of hiring full-time staff and improve your efficiency.

Our team at Taxaccolega provides professional outsourcing services, helping you streamline operations and reduce costs.

5. Let more staff work from home

If more people work remotely, you may be able to rent a smaller office and save money.

Example: With more staff working from home, you can free up your office space and save money on your bills.

6. Review all your spending

Go through every expenditure in your business subscriptions, vendors, services and figure out what you truly need.

Example: A company saved £1,000 a year by ending software they weren’t using.

7. Use better financial tools

With modern accounting software and cash flow boards, you can track expenses, monitor cash flow, and see early on where savings opportunities exist.

Example: With the right tools, it’s easy to spot where you’re overspending and make good choices.

At Taxaccolega, we offer financial consulting services and can recommend the best bookkeeping software to assist you in optimising your business finances.

8. Ask your staff for cost-saving ideas

Your staff may have innovative suggestions they understand where time and money are being wasted.

 

How Other London Businesses Are Responding

 

Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK are taking steps to deal with growing staff costs and NIC increases, so you’re not alone. Here are some instances of what other people are doing:

An energy start-up has paused all hiring and is carefully reviewing its spending to stay on track.

A theatre school’s staff costs have increased by about £60,000 annually, so they intend to raise prices and postpone new projects.

 Several SMEs in Croydon are cutting back on staff hours, eliminating unnecessary software subscriptions, and looking into less expensive ways to provide services, such as working remotely or online.

Final Thoughts: Stay Positive, Plan Smart

These changes are challenging, but there are solutions and support is available.

Many businesses are already adapting by being more efficient, carefully planning finances, and making smart use of tax reliefs.

Now is the right time to:

Check your eligibility for the latest implemented Employment Allowance

Use tax-efficient payroll solutions in London

Seek out London SME tax relief options

Reduce unnecessary costs with smart, data-driven planning

For small business financial planning, collaborate with a reputable London business financial consultants.

 

Need Help? Talk to Taxaccolega Your Croydon NIC Experts

 

At Taxaccolega, we specialise in supporting SMEs across the region with:

• Employer NIC support in Croydon

• Affordable accounting services London

• Expert Payroll services for SMEs

• Business tax planning for 2025

• NIC threshold changes & Compliance

We can assist you whether you need a Croydon business advisory service, employer NIC calculator, or assistance with employee benefits planning.

Get professional advice catered to your company by getting in touch with Taxaccolega, one of the best NIC consulting firms in Croydon.

Let’s make wise plans, cut expenses, and maintain the health of your London, Croydon company in 2025.

 

How to apply for SEIS and EIS in London

Our step-by-step how to apply for SEIS in London advice covers everything from verifying SEIS and EIS tax relief eligibility to obtaining Advance Assurance. This helps you avoid common SEIS and EIS scheme risks Croydon and simplifies claims for relief.

• Verify Investment Eligibility: Verify that the investment is eligible for SEIS/EIS and that the company has Advance Assurance from HMRC.

• Obtain SEIS3/EIS3 Certificate: In order for investors to be eligible for tax relief, the business must give them the relevant certificate.

• Self-Assessment Claim: By submitting the SEIS3/EIS3 certificate information with their Self-Assessment tax return, investors can obtain tax relief.

• Claim Loss Relief and Capital Gains Tax Exemptions: Investors who qualify may apply for inheritance tax relief, postpone paying capital gains tax on reinvested gains, and seek loss relief in the event that the business fails.

Is Advance Assurance Necessary for SEIS/EIS?

Not legally required, but strongly recommended
Gives confidence to investors that the company qualifies
Helps avoid funding delays or tax issues later
Makes it easier to attract SEIS/EIS-focused investors

What You Need for Advance Assurance

Company details (name, reg no, directors, business activity)
Business plan & 3-year financial forecast
How funds will be used & how much you aim to raise
Details of potential investors (or investor types)
Latest accounts (if available)
Articles of Association & draft shareholder agreement (if any)
Confirmation you meet SEIS/EIS eligibility rules

How Taxaccolega Can Assist with SEIS EIS Relief in London Croydon

If you’re a UK start up looking to attract investors or an investor seeking tax-efficient opportunities the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offer powerful tax incentives. But understanding the rules, applying correctly, and staying compliant takes expert guidance.

As a leading Croydon-based accountancy firm, we specialise in helping both start-ups and investors make the most of SEIS and EIS.

• Eligibility Check
Ensure your company and investors meet SEIS/EIS rules.
• Advance Assurance
Apply to HMRC to boost investor confidence.
• Share Issue & Compliance
Help issue shares and submit SEIS1/EIS1 forms correctly.
• Investor Tax Relief
Assist investors in claiming Income Tax and CGT reliefs.
• Ongoing Support
Ensure compliance during the 3-year holding period.
• Exit Planning
Advise on tax-free disposal and revived gains reporting.

Contact Taxaccolega today to benefit from the SEIS investment scheme Croydon and EIS investment scheme London, and make the most of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme Croydon and Enterprise Investment Scheme benefits across the UK.

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