Venture Capital Trust (VCT)

Available tax reliefs can change depending on the scheme. But you may be able to claim: 

• 30% Income Tax Relief against investments in qualifying companies, enterprises, or VCTs. 
• Income Tax Relief against a loan or ‘debt instrument’ to a social enterprise.  
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief on any gains made on your investment.  
• CGT relief when you reinvest a previous gain in a scheme.  

Read more on the GOV.UK website. 

There are three different types of VCT: generalist, AIM, and specialist.

1. Generalist VCTs invest in a wide range of small, usually private companies in a range of sectors, and tend to be the most common. They usually offer investors diversification across many early-stage companies, and fund managers will often actively work with businesses to help them grow and succeed. VCTs often look to back established entrepreneurs and some target particular types of company or sectors.
2. AIM VCTs invest in new shares issued by AIM-listed companies and target tax-free growth as well as income. Because these VCTs are investing in listed firms, the price can be more volatile. This is because the underlying companies are constantly being valued by the stock market rather than assessed periodically, as with unlisted businesses. However, since ordinary shares are more easily sold on the market, the increase in volatility comes with a little more flexibility for investors to enter or exit investments.
3. There are also specialist VCTs which focus on just one sector.

You may also see some rare hybrid trusts which invest in both generalist and AIM companies.

You can invest in a Venture Capital Trust by applying for shares when a VCT is open for new investments (where you will read the new share offer prospectus, complete an application form, and send a cheque or electronic payment).  

You can also invest through a financial adviser. Because VCTs are high-risk investments, we will always advise that you speak with a Chartered Financial Adviser. 

When claiming tax reliefs on your VCT investments, you can claim on a maximum annual amount of £200,000. 

To claim tax relief on your VCT investments, you must complete the Additional Information (SA101) pages. Your accountant can help you to do this. 

You will not get tax relief on your VCT investments if: 

• You buy the shares on the secondary market (you will get no income tax relief) 
• You sell the investment within five years of buying (you must give back the 30% tax relief you previously received). 

In some respects, an EIS and a VCT are similar. Both offer 30% upfront income tax relief to investors – you can claim 30% of the value of your investment off your income tax bill (provided you keep your shares for at least 3-5 years respectively). And. both EIS and VCTs offer tax-free growth.  

Though they are definitely different. VCTs typically don’t hold on to growth and gains but instead distribute gains to shareholders as dividends, but EIS companies rarely pay dividends (and if they do, they are not tax-free, unlike VCTs). In addition to this, the two have different minimum holding periods (VCTs have a period of at least 5 years, while EIS has a minimum of 3. There are also maximum amounts upon which an investor can claim tax relief each tax year. These are £1 million for an EIS, and £200,000 for a VCT. 

One of the biggest differences is that VCT investments are illiquid and can therefore be hard to sell (this is why many opt for VCT providers which offer a ‘buy back’). They are also considered higher risk because you are investing in smaller, unquoted, companies (though this can also be a positive as you may get higher returns). And, you are usually invested in less companies than you may be with other vehicles – this is referred to as ‘concentration risk’ as your investment funds are concentrated in a smaller area. 

When making VCT investments, there are a number of risks to consider: 

• They are illiquid and can therefore be hard to sell. 
• Investing in smaller, unquoted, companies is considered ‘high’ risk in relation to potential losses.  
• VCT investments have a concentration risk because they invest in a smaller pool.  
• They are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. 

This is provider–specific, but it is usually £3,000 minimum.  

There is a minimum investment duration of five years and no maximum duration. 

Because the dividends received from VCT investments are already tax free and CGT free when sold, you wouldn’t hold VCTs within an ISA or SIPP. Instead, you’d likely hold something that is usually taxed, in order to make the most of ISA and SIPP tax efficiency. 

Yes, though these can vary.  

There is an initial fee charged anywhere from 1% to 5%. An average annual management charge anywhere from 2% to 3 %. And a performance fee from 15% to 20% (though this fee is only applicable if the investment reaches a specified, and agreed upon, level of performance).  

When you invest in a VCT, you will be given a certificate to use which will reduce your income tax. When it comes to claiming, you will need this certificate when liaising with HMRC or your accountant. 

The dividends you receive from your VCT, on the other hand, are automatically tax free. And you do not need to claim anything for CGT.

There are several restrictions placed on who can invest in VCTs. First, you must be liable to some kind of UK income tax – otherwise you will not receive the tax benefits associated with the investment.  

A good financial planner will also restrict VCTs to those with an appetite and capacity for loss due to their high-risk nature.