RISHI IS A FORMER INVESTMENT BANKER
Keep it under your hat, but there's a 50% tax break Hunt and Sunak haven't axed: They're high risk but investing in start-up firms can reap big rewardsJUST FOR THE 1%
Rachel Rickard Straus, Financial Mail On Sunday - Yesterday
As Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt set a new course for the economy, little remains from the mini-Budget of their predecessors just a month ago.
Good news: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak© Provided by This Is Money
But one announcement that escaped the axe is the expansion of investment schemes that can prove rewarding for investors.
Three types of investment that afford investors big tax breaks for supporting start-up businesses have been extended – and made more generous.
They are Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS). All exist to encourage investors to support new companies and entrepreneurs.
In exchange for backing fledgling businesses, investors enjoy generous tax breaks, including lower income, capital gains and inheritance tax.
But as economist Milton Friedman once observed: 'There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.' Attractive though the tax breaks are, the investments are high risk.
Used in the right way, they can generate huge rewards. And it is not just the ultra-wealthy who are able to benefit from them.
HOW THE SCHEMES WORK... AND SOME OF THE SUCCESS STORIES
Venture Capital Trusts, EIS and SEIS allow investors to put their money into companies that are privately owned.
The hope is that with sufficient investment behind them, these small companies will grow rapidly and in time either be bought by a rival or list on the London Stock Exchange, generating profits for investors.
Some of the schemes' greatest success stories include recipe box firm Gousto, which achieved returns of up to 27 times for EIS investors.
Flower delivery company Bloom & Wild delivered returns of up to 18 times the original investment that investors made, while DNA technology firm Oxgene produced returns of up to 20 times.
But not all the companies that VCTs, EIS and SEIS invest in are so successful. As a result, investors stand a chance of losing all of their money. The level of risk and volatility is far higher than for more traditional investment portfolios.
VCT and EIS schemes look set to continue thanks to last month's mini-Budget. Until then, there had been a so-called sunset clause which could have seen these two vehicles close in 2025.
The SEIS scheme was also extended. From April next year, individual investors will be able to put up to £200,000 into a SEIS scheme each tax year – the current annual limit is £100,000.
Mike Hodges, tax partner at accountant Saffery Champness, says: 'It's important that an investor isn't blinded by the prospective tax benefits of EIS, SEIS and VCTs at the expense of the risk that investments in companies qualifying for one of these reliefs bring.'
He adds: 'The fact that there are generous tax benefits available should serve as a warning that there are big investment risks. That said, for the 'glass half-full' investor, the prospect of an upfront income tax break and a capital gains tax free exit can be appealing.'
SOME VENTURES ARE MUCH RISKIER THAN OTHERS
Venture Capital Trusts, EIS and SEIS schemes all invest in UK start-ups, but they operate differently.
A VCT – the most popular – is a company listed on the stock market and behaves like an investment trust.
A fund manager puts together a portfolio, typically of around 30 to 70 companies, and investors buy shares in the VCT, rather than in the individual companies of which it is comprised.
The fund manager can raise money to buy new investments or top up existing holdings. They can only purchase companies that are either not listed, or listed on the smaller Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Last tax year, a record £1.1billion was invested in VCTs – up from £685million the year before.
Annabel Brodie-Smith, a director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), says: 'Our research shows VCTs have invested £1.7billion in 530 companies since 2018 and these companies employ more than 14,000 people, with an average of 55 people per firm.'
EIS and SEIS schemes are much riskier. This is because you invest in a particular start-up company or a small portfolio of companies picked by a fund manager.
SEIS schemes can only invest in early-stage companies – those with less than two years trading history and fewer than 25 employees.
EIS schemes are still only available for start-ups, but can hold companies with up to seven years of trading history and less than 250 employees. The risky nature of EIS and SEIS means investors must seek professional advice when buying – or prove they are either a 'high net worth individual' or sophisticated investor.
SO WHAT ARE THE TAX BENEFITS FOR INVESTORS?
There are numerous tax breaks available. Depending on which scheme you opt for, you may be able to claim income tax relief on your investment, wipe out a capital gains tax bill and pay no inheritance tax on your investments.
VCTs: You can claim up to 30 per cent upfront income tax relief on the amount you invest in a new VCT (or new shares issued by an existing VCT). You must then keep the shares for at least five years. The maximum investment per tax year is £200,000.
So if you invest £10,000 in a VCT, £3,000 can be taken off your income tax bill. If you sell your VCT shares and make a profit, the proceeds will not be liable for capital gains tax. Also, if your VCT pays dividends, they are tax-free. Big managers of VCTs include Albion Capital, Foresight Group, Gresham House (Baronsmead) and Mercia Asset Management (Northern).
EIS: You can invest up to £2million a tax year in new shares in EIS-qualifying companies to benefit from income tax relief at 30 per cent of the amount invested.
To retain this tax break, you must hold the shares for at least three years, starting from the date of the investment or, if later, the date the EIS begins trading.
After three years, you can benefit from capital gains tax relief on shares disposed of at a profit. You may also be able to offset any losses on disposal of the shares, either against capital gains or in some cases against income, net of any income tax relief.
You can also defer an existing capital gains tax charge if you reinvest the gain in EIS-qualifying shares.
SEIS: You can invest up to £100,000 per tax year – £200,000 from next April – and receive 50 per cent income tax relief. You will also benefit from a capital gains tax exemption on any profits that arise from the sale of shares after three years.
With both SEIS and EIS, there is no inheritance tax to pay on shares held for at least two years.
WHO CAN BENEFIT MOST FROM THE SCHEMES?
Tasty: Joe Wicks backs Gousto© Provided by This Is Money
There are other, simpler and lower-risk, tax-efficient investments that investors should utilise before considering VCTs, EIS or SEIS schemes.
For example, everyone is entitled to put up to £20,000 into a stocks and shares Isa each tax year and benefit from investing free of tax.
Tax relief on pension contributions also allows investors to boost the money they put into a retirement fund.
But for those who maximise their use of Isas and pensions, the three schemes – VCTs in particular – are worth looking at.
After all, pension tax relief is only available on the first £40,000 saved each tax year – or £4,000 for the highest earners.
Alex Davies, founder and chief executive of Wealth Club – a company that specialises in tax-efficient investments – says: 'Pensions tax relief has become less generous over the years. It is also increasingly difficult to make a good return from investing in buy-to-let property as a result of recent tax changes. So investors are looking for alternatives.'
WHAT WILL IT COST TO INVEST IN ONE?
Using these schemes does not come cheap. When buying a conventional investment fund, annual fees tend to be around 1.5 per cent. But annual charges on VCTs are typically around two to three per cent. There are also initial charges, which can be up to 3.5 per cent.
Charges for EIS and SEIS schemes are even higher. Managers argue that investing in start-up companies requires considerable research and subsequent management hand-holding.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST INVESTMENTS?
There is no substitute for good, solid research. Read up on the schemes before you commit any money – and if in doubt seek independent financial advice. These investments are not easy to sell in a hurry – and sometimes you are locked in – so don't commit money you may need to access in the next few years.
Bestinvest, part of wealth manager Evelyn Partners, monitors new VCTs and new share issues from existing VCTs.
The best trusts currently available include:
Mobeus Income & Growth: These four VCTs invest predominantly in unquoted growth companies, but have holdings in more mature businesses. Examples include MyTutor, a digital one-to-one tutoring platform; Andersen, a provider of premium electrical vehicle chargers, and the restaurant chain Tapas Revolution.
The Albion VCTs: A joint offer from six VCTs which collectively invest in 70 companies. They invest in high growth sectors such as fintech, software, technology and healthcare.
Investments include Quantexa, which helps banking, insurance and government clients detect financial crime – and pharmaceutical company Proveca which specialises in children's medicines.
Pembroke VCT 'B' shares: It focuses on five sectors: wellness, food and hospitality, education, design, media and digital services. Holdings include photobook creation app Popsa; fashion label Bella Freud; and Chucs Restaurants.
Evelyn's Jason Hollands says investors must remember that income tax relief is only available on new share issues and that despite investing in growth companies, VCTs should be primarily viewed as income-generating vehicles.
He adds: 'As VCTs can pay taxfree dividends, most optimise this feature. So when they sell a holding at a profit, they will usually distribute the gains to investors by way of a dividend.'
More information on VCTs from the AIC at theaic.co.uk/vcts; The Wealth Club (wealthclub.co.uk); and www.bestinvest.co.uk/vcts/current-launches.
Rachel Rickard Straus, Financial Mail On Sunday - Yesterday
As Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt set a new course for the economy, little remains from the mini-Budget of their predecessors just a month ago.
Good news: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak© Provided by This Is Money
But one announcement that escaped the axe is the expansion of investment schemes that can prove rewarding for investors.
Three types of investment that afford investors big tax breaks for supporting start-up businesses have been extended – and made more generous.
They are Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS). All exist to encourage investors to support new companies and entrepreneurs.
In exchange for backing fledgling businesses, investors enjoy generous tax breaks, including lower income, capital gains and inheritance tax.
But as economist Milton Friedman once observed: 'There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.' Attractive though the tax breaks are, the investments are high risk.
Used in the right way, they can generate huge rewards. And it is not just the ultra-wealthy who are able to benefit from them.
HOW THE SCHEMES WORK... AND SOME OF THE SUCCESS STORIES
Venture Capital Trusts, EIS and SEIS allow investors to put their money into companies that are privately owned.
The hope is that with sufficient investment behind them, these small companies will grow rapidly and in time either be bought by a rival or list on the London Stock Exchange, generating profits for investors.
Some of the schemes' greatest success stories include recipe box firm Gousto, which achieved returns of up to 27 times for EIS investors.
Flower delivery company Bloom & Wild delivered returns of up to 18 times the original investment that investors made, while DNA technology firm Oxgene produced returns of up to 20 times.
But not all the companies that VCTs, EIS and SEIS invest in are so successful. As a result, investors stand a chance of losing all of their money. The level of risk and volatility is far higher than for more traditional investment portfolios.
VCT and EIS schemes look set to continue thanks to last month's mini-Budget. Until then, there had been a so-called sunset clause which could have seen these two vehicles close in 2025.
The SEIS scheme was also extended. From April next year, individual investors will be able to put up to £200,000 into a SEIS scheme each tax year – the current annual limit is £100,000.
Mike Hodges, tax partner at accountant Saffery Champness, says: 'It's important that an investor isn't blinded by the prospective tax benefits of EIS, SEIS and VCTs at the expense of the risk that investments in companies qualifying for one of these reliefs bring.'
He adds: 'The fact that there are generous tax benefits available should serve as a warning that there are big investment risks. That said, for the 'glass half-full' investor, the prospect of an upfront income tax break and a capital gains tax free exit can be appealing.'
SOME VENTURES ARE MUCH RISKIER THAN OTHERS
Venture Capital Trusts, EIS and SEIS schemes all invest in UK start-ups, but they operate differently.
A VCT – the most popular – is a company listed on the stock market and behaves like an investment trust.
A fund manager puts together a portfolio, typically of around 30 to 70 companies, and investors buy shares in the VCT, rather than in the individual companies of which it is comprised.
The fund manager can raise money to buy new investments or top up existing holdings. They can only purchase companies that are either not listed, or listed on the smaller Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Last tax year, a record £1.1billion was invested in VCTs – up from £685million the year before.
Annabel Brodie-Smith, a director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), says: 'Our research shows VCTs have invested £1.7billion in 530 companies since 2018 and these companies employ more than 14,000 people, with an average of 55 people per firm.'
EIS and SEIS schemes are much riskier. This is because you invest in a particular start-up company or a small portfolio of companies picked by a fund manager.
SEIS schemes can only invest in early-stage companies – those with less than two years trading history and fewer than 25 employees.
EIS schemes are still only available for start-ups, but can hold companies with up to seven years of trading history and less than 250 employees. The risky nature of EIS and SEIS means investors must seek professional advice when buying – or prove they are either a 'high net worth individual' or sophisticated investor.
SO WHAT ARE THE TAX BENEFITS FOR INVESTORS?
There are numerous tax breaks available. Depending on which scheme you opt for, you may be able to claim income tax relief on your investment, wipe out a capital gains tax bill and pay no inheritance tax on your investments.
VCTs: You can claim up to 30 per cent upfront income tax relief on the amount you invest in a new VCT (or new shares issued by an existing VCT). You must then keep the shares for at least five years. The maximum investment per tax year is £200,000.
So if you invest £10,000 in a VCT, £3,000 can be taken off your income tax bill. If you sell your VCT shares and make a profit, the proceeds will not be liable for capital gains tax. Also, if your VCT pays dividends, they are tax-free. Big managers of VCTs include Albion Capital, Foresight Group, Gresham House (Baronsmead) and Mercia Asset Management (Northern).
EIS: You can invest up to £2million a tax year in new shares in EIS-qualifying companies to benefit from income tax relief at 30 per cent of the amount invested.
To retain this tax break, you must hold the shares for at least three years, starting from the date of the investment or, if later, the date the EIS begins trading.
After three years, you can benefit from capital gains tax relief on shares disposed of at a profit. You may also be able to offset any losses on disposal of the shares, either against capital gains or in some cases against income, net of any income tax relief.
You can also defer an existing capital gains tax charge if you reinvest the gain in EIS-qualifying shares.
SEIS: You can invest up to £100,000 per tax year – £200,000 from next April – and receive 50 per cent income tax relief. You will also benefit from a capital gains tax exemption on any profits that arise from the sale of shares after three years.
With both SEIS and EIS, there is no inheritance tax to pay on shares held for at least two years.
WHO CAN BENEFIT MOST FROM THE SCHEMES?
Tasty: Joe Wicks backs Gousto© Provided by This Is Money
There are other, simpler and lower-risk, tax-efficient investments that investors should utilise before considering VCTs, EIS or SEIS schemes.
For example, everyone is entitled to put up to £20,000 into a stocks and shares Isa each tax year and benefit from investing free of tax.
Tax relief on pension contributions also allows investors to boost the money they put into a retirement fund.
But for those who maximise their use of Isas and pensions, the three schemes – VCTs in particular – are worth looking at.
After all, pension tax relief is only available on the first £40,000 saved each tax year – or £4,000 for the highest earners.
Alex Davies, founder and chief executive of Wealth Club – a company that specialises in tax-efficient investments – says: 'Pensions tax relief has become less generous over the years. It is also increasingly difficult to make a good return from investing in buy-to-let property as a result of recent tax changes. So investors are looking for alternatives.'
WHAT WILL IT COST TO INVEST IN ONE?
Using these schemes does not come cheap. When buying a conventional investment fund, annual fees tend to be around 1.5 per cent. But annual charges on VCTs are typically around two to three per cent. There are also initial charges, which can be up to 3.5 per cent.
Charges for EIS and SEIS schemes are even higher. Managers argue that investing in start-up companies requires considerable research and subsequent management hand-holding.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST INVESTMENTS?
There is no substitute for good, solid research. Read up on the schemes before you commit any money – and if in doubt seek independent financial advice. These investments are not easy to sell in a hurry – and sometimes you are locked in – so don't commit money you may need to access in the next few years.
Bestinvest, part of wealth manager Evelyn Partners, monitors new VCTs and new share issues from existing VCTs.
The best trusts currently available include:
Mobeus Income & Growth: These four VCTs invest predominantly in unquoted growth companies, but have holdings in more mature businesses. Examples include MyTutor, a digital one-to-one tutoring platform; Andersen, a provider of premium electrical vehicle chargers, and the restaurant chain Tapas Revolution.
The Albion VCTs: A joint offer from six VCTs which collectively invest in 70 companies. They invest in high growth sectors such as fintech, software, technology and healthcare.
Investments include Quantexa, which helps banking, insurance and government clients detect financial crime – and pharmaceutical company Proveca which specialises in children's medicines.
Pembroke VCT 'B' shares: It focuses on five sectors: wellness, food and hospitality, education, design, media and digital services. Holdings include photobook creation app Popsa; fashion label Bella Freud; and Chucs Restaurants.
Evelyn's Jason Hollands says investors must remember that income tax relief is only available on new share issues and that despite investing in growth companies, VCTs should be primarily viewed as income-generating vehicles.
He adds: 'As VCTs can pay taxfree dividends, most optimise this feature. So when they sell a holding at a profit, they will usually distribute the gains to investors by way of a dividend.'
More information on VCTs from the AIC at theaic.co.uk/vcts; The Wealth Club (wealthclub.co.uk); and www.bestinvest.co.uk/vcts/current-launches.
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