Last updated: 27 March 2026
With the 2025/26 tax year-end approaching, investors considering EIS, VCT, Knowledge Intensive EIS (KI EIS) or SEIS investments are facing a number of important deadlines.
Each structure offers different tax benefits, investment stages and timelines, and understanding the key dates can help ensure eligibility for income tax relief and other advantages.
Below is a summary of the upcoming deadlines and current opportunities available through Guinness Ventures.
Key Tax Year-End Deadlines (April 2026)
Guinness VCT – Deadline: 1 April 2026
- 30% income tax relief available for the 2025/26 tax year
- Maiden dividend: 3p per share, payable 30 April 2026
- Investment focus: Growth-stage UK scale-ups
- Minimum investment: £5,000
Learn more about the Guinness VCT
Guinness Knowledge Intensive EIS (KI EIS) – Deadline: 2 April 2026
- 30% income tax relief, with option to carry back to 2024/25
- Structure: HMRC-approved EIS fund
- Focus: Innovation-led, R&D-intensive UK businesses
- Target return: 2x portfolio return after fees
- Minimum investment: £20,000
Learn more about Knowledge Intensive EIS
Guinness Founders SEIS – Deadline: 5 April 2026
- 50% income tax relief (2026/27 or carry back to 2025/26)
- Focus: Early-stage SEIS-qualifying companies
- Target diversification: Up to 20 companies
- Target return: 3x portfolio return after fees
- Minimum investment: £20,000
Learn more about SEIS and early-stage investing
Looking Ahead: Guinness EIS – Deadline: 30 June 2026
- 30% income tax relief (2026/27 or carry back to 2025/26)
- Focus: Scale-up / Series A companies (typically £1m+ revenue)
- Portfolio: Typically 10–12 companies
- Approach: Generalist across SaaS, consumer and healthcare
- Minimum investment: £20,000
What These Deadlines Mean for Investors
With multiple deadlines falling within days of each other, investors may need to consider:
- Whether to secure 2025/26 tax relief before 5 April
- Whether carry-back relief is relevant based on prior year income
- The balance between early-stage (SEIS) and relatively later-stage (EIS/VCT) exposure
EIS vs VCT vs SEIS: Key Differences
While all three structures offer tax-efficient investing, they differ in key ways:
- SEIS: Earlier-stage companies, higher risk, higher tax relief (50%)
- EIS / KI EIS: Growth-stage companies, 30% relief, broader investment universe
- VCT: Listed structure, diversified portfolios, income-focused features
Planning Beyond the Tax Year-End
While some deadlines are imminent, others extend into the next tax year.
For example, the Guinness EIS provides an opportunity to plan ahead for 2026/27, rather than investing purely to meet a year-end deadline.
This can allow investors to take a structured approach to:
- Portfolio construction
- Diversification across stages
- Timing of tax relief claims
Risks and Considerations
Investments in EIS, VCT and SEIS involve high risk and illiquidity.
Capital is at risk and investors may lose some or all of their investment. Shares in unquoted companies may be difficult to sell and valuations may be uncertain.
Tax reliefs can help mitigate downside but do not eliminate risk, and their availability depends on individual circumstances.
Conclusion
With the tax year-end approaching, EIS, VCT, Knowledge Intensive EIS and SEIS deadlines are becoming increasingly relevant for investors considering tax-efficient investing.
Understanding the differences between each structure, and the timing of available opportunities, is key to making informed decisions.
For investors who are already considering private market exposure, the coming weeks represent an important window to act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it still possible to claim Income Tax Relief for the 2024/25 tax year?
Yes. The Guinness Knowledge Intensive EIS service has a close date of 2nd April. As an HMRC Approved Fund structure, this enables Income Tax Relief to be claimed for the 2025/26 tax year or carried back to the 2024/25 tax year.
What is Knowledge Intensive EIS (KI EIS)?
KI EIS applies to companies with significant R&D activity and allows higher investment limits for investors, while still offering standard EIS tax reliefs.
What is the difference between EIS and SEIS?
SEIS targets earlier-stage companies and offers 50% income tax relief, while EIS focuses on slightly more established businesses with 30% relief. Even EIS companies are still early stage and high risk.
What is a VCT and how does it differ from EIS?
A VCT is a listed investment company that provides diversified exposure to smaller companies, typically with a focus on income and dividends, alongside tax relief.
Can I invest after the tax year-end?
Yes, but the tax relief will typically apply to the next tax year unless carry-back rules are used.