Last week Thompson Taraz were delighted to attend the annual EISA Awards held at the House of Lords.

Thompson Taraz has welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget announcement regarding the change in the regulatory status of SITR Funds. This is particularly gratifying as Thompson Taraz was involved in shaping this in conjunction with one of our clients who then lobbied the Cabinet Office. Once the regulatory change is introduced, SITR funds will be able to be promoted on the same basis as EIS funds

We are delighted to announce that Thompson Taraz received a Commendation in the category of Best EIS/SEIS Regulatory or Legal Advisor at the Chairman’s House of Lords Awards Ceremony.

For those involved or interested in EIS, SEIS and other alternative investments, we are out and about next week at two major industry events. On Tuesday 26 November, we’ll be attending the VCT and EIS Investor Forum, held at 200 Aldersgate, St Paul’s and, the following day, Wednesday 27 November we’ll be at the Alternative Investment Summit 2013, at Central Hall in Westminster. For anyone that would like to meet us there for a chat about how we might be able to help you get your fund off the ground, please email Catherine Deptford, our Investment Manager: Catherine.Deptford@thompsontaraz.co.uk

From 6 April 2012, subscriptions by individuals for shares in new start-up companies that meet the qualifying conditions, will attract income tax relief of 50 per cent for subscriptions for shares of up to £100,000 per annum, irrespective of the investor’s marginal tax rate; exemption from capital gains tax on the disposal of such shares; and for investments made in the 2012/13 tax year only, an exemption from capital gains tax on gains also arising in 2012/13 which are invested under the SEIS (the draft legislation for this has yet to be published). Companies that qualify for SEIS investment will be able to raise up to a cumulative total of £150,000 under the scheme. The rules that govern SEIS companies are similar to those for the EIS. The qualifying company must have gross assets of not more than £200,000 and must have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees before investment.