eis investments is a Government investment scheme that provides a range of tax reliefs for investors who subscribe for qualifying shares in qualifying companies.
An individual with no more than a 30% interest in the company can reduce their tax liability by up to 30% of the amount invested. eis investments must be held for no less than three years from the date of issue, or until three years from commencement of trade, if later.
There is no minimum subscription per company and the maximum in respect of which a subscriber may obtain income tax relief in any year is £1m.
Individuals may elect to treat their EIS shares, up to their maximum annual allowance, as if made in the previous tax year, thereby effectively carrying relief back one year. In other words, up to £2m may be invested of which £1m could be applied to the previous year.