Introduction: Navigating Your SEIS EIS Claim Steps with Confidence
Investing in early-stage startups can feel like climbing an endless staircase—exciting, but a tad daunting. Fortunately, the UK’s Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offer generous tax reliefs at multiple stages. Whether you’re new to angel investing or looking to sharpen your approach, understanding the SEIS EIS claim steps is crucial to maximise your returns and minimise risk.
In this guide, we’ll break down each step—from checking eligibility to filing compliance certificates—in plain English. Plus, you’ll see how Oriel IPO’s commission-free platform and curated opportunities make the process smoother. Ready to get clear on your SEIS EIS claim steps? Discover SEIS EIS claim steps and revolutionize your investment opportunities in the UK
Understanding SEIS and EIS Schemes
Before diving into the detailed SEIS EIS claim steps, let’s recap what these schemes do.
What Is SEIS?
- Aimed at very early-stage startups (trading under 3 years).
- Invest up to £200,000 per tax year.
- Claim up to 50% Income Tax relief.
- No Capital Gains Tax on profits after three years.
What Is EIS?
- Targets slightly later-stage businesses (trading under 7 years from April 2026).
- Invest up to £1 million (or £2 million for knowledge-intensive firms).
- Claim up to 30% Income Tax relief.
- Capital Gains Tax relief on disposal, plus deferral and loss relief options.
Both schemes require that your investments tick certain boxes—trades must be qualifying, companies must meet workforce and asset thresholds, and shares must comply with HMRC rules.
Why Tax Relief Matters for Investors
Tax relief can transform modest sums into meaningful ventures. Here’s why you shouldn’t overlook this:
- Risk Mitigation: Up to 50% of your SEIS investment can come back via Income Tax relief. That’s a safety net.
- Growth Incentive: Retain more capital for reinvestment when gains are tax-free.
- Loss Relief: If things go south, you can offset losses against income or gains.
- Attractive Downside: You’re not starting at zero—you’re starting at a fraction of your outlay.
Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and walk through the SEIS EIS claim steps.
Step-by-Step SEIS EIS Claim Steps
1. Check Trade Eligibility
Not every trade qualifies. For example:
– Qualifying: Software development, biotech research.
– Excluded: Banking, legal services.
When in doubt, seek HMRC’s advance assurance on your business plan. It’s free and usually takes under a month.
2. Verify Company Eligibility
Rules differ for SEIS vs. EIS:
SEIS requirements:
– Trading under 3 years.
– Less than 25 employees.
– Gross assets ≤ £350,000.
– UK permanent establishment.
– Pass “risk to capital” test.
EIS requirements (from April 2026):
– Trading under 7 years.
– Less than 250 employees.
– Gross assets ≤ £30 million.
– No parent company control (>50% shares).
– Total fundraising ≤ £10 million in 12 months.
3. Seek HMRC Advance Assurance
Advance assurance is not mandatory—but it’s wise. HMRC will review:
– Business plan with forecasts.
– Latest accounts and Articles of Association.
– Investment and shareholders’ agreements.
– Register of Members and share capital table.
This comfort can be a game-plan clincher for hesitant investors.
4. Issue Qualifying Shares
Once you get (or choose not to get) advance assurance:
– Issue ordinary, non-redeemable shares.
– Ensure no preferential rights in income or assets.
– For SEIS, you can raise up to £250,000.
– Investors must fully pay before issuance.
5. Report to Companies House
Within 28 days of issuing shares:
– File form SH01.
– Update the Register of Members.
– If any investor holds ≥25%, update the PSC register within 14 days.
6. Deliver Compliance Certificates
Finally, generate SEIS/EIS compliance forms:
1. Complete SEIS1/EIS1 online to HMRC.
2. Receive SEIS2/EIS2 authorisation number.
3. Fill out SEIS3/EIS3 certificates for each investor.
4. Send certificates—tax relief claimed!
Claiming Your Tax Reliefs
Income Tax Relief
- SEIS: Up to 50% relief on investments up to £200,000.
- EIS: Up to 30% relief on investments up to £1 million (or £2 million in knowledge-intensive businesses).
Relief can apply in the current or preceding tax year.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
- SEIS/EIS gains are CGT-free after holding shares for 3 years.
- Defer existing CGT by reinvesting gains into EIS.
Loss Relief
If investments drop in value:
– Offset the loss (minus any Income Tax relief) against your taxable income or gains.
– Softens the blow when ventures don’t pan out.
Around this point, you might ask about tools to streamline your workflow. Oriel IPO’s intuitive dashboard guides you through each of these SEIS EIS claim steps, tracking deadlines and documents. Explore detailed SEIS EIS claim steps with Oriel IPO
How Oriel IPO Makes SEIS and EIS Easier
Commission-Free Platform
Most marketplaces take a cut. Oriel IPO charges transparent subscription fees—so startups and investors keep more of their money.
Curated & Vetted Opportunities
Every startup on Oriel IPO has passed an eligibility check:
– Company structure and Articles review.
– Trade suitability analysis.
– Asset and workforce verification.
Educational Resources
Webinars, guides and one-to-one support:
– Advance assurance workshops.
– Templates for compliance forms.
– Regular updates on scheme changes.
With Oriel IPO, the SEIS EIS claim steps feel less like a maze and more like a straight path.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Late Share Issuance: Missing payment timing can void relief.
- Incorrect Share Classes: Even one redeemable share can block SEIS/EIS status.
- Incomplete Reports: Forgetting PSC or SH01 filings invites fines.
- DIY Advance Assurance: Overlooking document checklist items leads to delays.
Stick to our checklists, or let Oriel IPO’s expert team handle the details.
Investor Testimonials
“Working with Oriel IPO cut our admin time in half. The step-by-step guidance on SEIS EIS claim steps was spot on, and we nailed our advance assurance in under three weeks.”
— Alex Mason, Angel Investor
“Oriel IPO’s dashboard helped me track every form and deadline. I felt confident issuing shares, and my investors got their SEIS certificates without a hitch.”
— Priya Patel, Early-Stage Investor
Wrapping Up Your SEIS EIS Claim Steps
Mastering the SEIS EIS claim steps pays off. From checking trade eligibility to filing compliance certificates, each move brings you closer to maximising tax-efficient gains. With Oriel IPO’s commission-free model, curated deal-flow, and rich educational toolkit, you can focus on spotting promising startups—without getting buried in paperwork.
Ready to simplify every step? Master your SEIS EIS claim steps on Oriel IPO today
