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Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) offer similar tax breaks to individuals as the Enterprise Investment Scheme. VCTs are managed by a variety of specialist fund companies. At Finnies, we advise individuals on tax efficient investments. Some information about VCTs is given below.
Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are complementary to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), in that both are designed to encourage private individuals to invest in smaller high-risk unquoted trading companies affected by the equity gap. While the EIS requires an investment to be made directly into the shares of the company, VCTs operate by indirect investment through a mediated fund. In effect they are very like the investment trusts that are obtainable on the stock exchange, albeit in a high-risk environment.
VCTs themselves are quoted companies which are required to hold at least 70% of their investments in shares or securities that they have subscribed for in qualifying unquoted companies. VCTs have a certain time period in which to meet the percentage test.
Other conditions are:
VCTs are exempt from tax on their capital gains and there is no relief for capital losses.
Income tax relief of 30% is currently available on subscriptions for VCT shares up to a limit per tax year of £200,000.
To qualify for income tax relief the shares must be held for a minimum of five years.
Investors are exempt from tax on any dividends received from a VCT although the credits are not repayable.
Capital gains arising on disposal of the shares are also exempt and for this relief, there is no minimum period of ownership. There is no relief for any capital losses.
The definition of a qualifying company for VCT purposes is very similar to that applying for EIS. The company:
Over the years, governments make amendments to what are regarded as qualifying companies for a VCT to invest in. The thrust of the changes is to ensure well-targeted support for investment into small and growing companies, with a particular focus on innovative companies.
It is not possible to cover all the detailed rules in a factsheet of this nature. If you are interested in investing in Venture Capital Trusts please contact us, at Finnies, for further information.
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