Get funded!

GF011 – What is SEIS / EIS HMRC advance assurance and how do I get it?

Get Funded! podcast covering SEIS and EIS

In this episode of the Get Funded! podcast we cover the all important:

HMRC SEIS / EIS advance assurance procedure

This podcast includes the following points with practical advice:

  • Why the advance assurance application is important?
  • How you apply for it?
  • Typical lead times?
  • What could go wrong?
  • Critical info to include?

As discussed in the podcast, the advance assurance procedure is not mandatory although it is highly recommended. This is your opportunity to get HMRC’s approval that your company is a qualifying company for the purposes of raising funding and issuing shares under SEIS / EIS. Most sophisticated investors will insist on evidence of a successful advance assurance application. This is your chance to flush out any uncertainties – don’t miss it! Listen to the podcast via the player below to learn more.

You can find the HMRC SEIS / EIS advance assurance online form mentioned in the podcast here.

Don’t forget that the typical turnaround time is 4-6 weeks for HMRC to respond to your advance assurance application. To avoid unnecessary delays, you would be well advised to get all your shareholder documents (including Articles with any revisions in contemplation of SEIS / EIS investors) finalised prior to filing the application. This is because HMRC will normally want to see the documents in as final form as possible. Otherwise you run the risk that HMRC will issue a ‘partial’ advance assurance in that they will ask for sight of the final version of (say) the Articles if further revisions are envisaged – so you would have to go through the process again. Tune into the podcast via the player below to learn more.

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GF007: What percentage share capital can I own under SEIS / EIS?

Get Funded! podcast covering SEIS and EIS

This is a thorny subject that comes up time and time again:

How much of the share capital can I or my investors own under SEIS / EIS?

In this seventh episode of the Get Funded! podcast we cover the (dreaded) “substantial interest” test that basically says that you can’t hold more than 30% of the issued share capital and qualify for SEIS / EIS.

I say “dreaded” because it is not just you or your investor that you need to consider but also any “associates” too. “Associates” include spouses plus parents, children, grand-parents etc (basically blood relations up and down). Brothers and sisters are not counted as “associates”.

Many startup companies get tripped up by this rule so watch out for it!

This episode was brought to you by ip tax solutions – specialists in R&D tax credits

GF006 – SEIS | EIS: Get your share capital right!

Get Funded! podcast covering SEIS and EIS

In this episode of the Get Funded! podcast we cover:

Getting your share capital right!

Not every type of share is eligible under SEIS / EIS and given the attractive tax benefits offered to investors, this is little surprise. SEIS /EIS investors cannot receive shares that have preferential rights. They must be – what we like to call –

“Full fat, full risk ordinary shares”

We also cover a couple of pointers to watch out for if you are raising money alongside VCs to ensure that the SEIS / EIS investors don’t lose out and how to avoid losing the relief by accident in the future….

This podcast is brought to you by ip tax solutions | the innovation tax specialists

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GF005 Get Funded! SEIS – Make sure you have one of these!

Get funded!In this fifth episode of the Get Funded! podcast, we cover an essential – but frequently overlooked – step that you simply MUST get in place before you raise money under SEIS.

So essential, in fact, that without it, you could mess up the SEIS relief for your investors before you’ve even really got started!

We also cover the maximum amount that you can raise under SEIS being £150,000 and the importance of getting the order right if raising cash under EIS too i.e. SEIS then EIS and not the other way around.

There are changes afoot around the interaction of these reliefs and the “70%” rule but this merits a separate episode – coming soon….! (Subscribe below ;) )

GF004 – Get Funded! Podcast | SEIS | Get ready to slice the pie!

Get funded!In this 4th episode of the Get Funded! podcast we cover:

“Get ready to slice the pie!”

This show is all about the need to issue shares in return for a cash investment if it is to be eligible for SEIS or EIS under current rules.

We also cover what doesn’t qualify e.g. loans, and some tips around types of shares and nominal values of shares to help you get the SEIS share capital structure right from the outset.

Please subscribe and leave us a rating on iTunes – this will help this podcast get found by more entrepreneurs and help the UK get ahead in raising funding for exciting new startups!

GF003 – Get Funded! podcast – What are the key tax benefits of SEIS?

Get funded!In this 3rd episode of the Get Funded! podcast we explore the key tax benefits of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) including:

  • 50% income tax relief
  • potential for 14% capital gains tax shelter
  • IHT exemption after 2 years
  • CGT free sale after 3 years
  • Sideways income tax relief should the startup fail

All in all this can amount to up to 86.5% tax shelter for the investor so only 13.5% capital may be at risk.