SEIS threshold increases survive the Autumn Statement - Boodle Hatfield

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17 Nov 2022

SEIS threshold increases survive the Autumn Statement

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One of the less trumpeted announcements of September's "mini-budget" was the significant loosening of the rules relating to the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). 

While most of the mini-budget announcements have subsequently been rather ignominiously scrapped, it was confirmed today that the government is not planning to scrap the changes to SEIS.

SEIS is a relatively generous scheme designed to encourage investment in new businesses. In short, qualifying investors get various tax reliefs including income tax relief of 50% on their investment, capital gains tax exemptions on disposal and loss relief. 

The new rules will allow companies to receive up to £250,000 through the scheme, while SEIS investors will be able to invest up to £200,000 each tax year. The limit on the gross assets a company can have to benefit from the scheme is also being increased to £350,000.

My colleague Ellen Wildig has produced a helpful summary of today's other key announcements, which can be found here: Autumn Statement 2022: the headlines, Ellen Wildig (boodlehatfield.com) 

This summary is intended to provide a first point of reference for current developments in aspects of the law. It should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice.

The government is committed to ensuring cutting-edge innovative firms have access to finance to invest and grow. As previously announced, the government is increasing the generosity and availability of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Company Share Option Plan. The government remains supportive of the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts and sees the value of extending them in the future. The government will also continue to champion institutional investment into innovation so that UK savers can benefit from the growth of high potential businesses.

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