For Financial Advisers Only. This tool is designed for use by UK-regulated financial advisers and is not intended for retail investors.
Your client sold their business. The CGT bill doesn't have to follow.
EIS deferral combines multiple tax reliefs that work in your client's favour regardless of outcome — whether the investment succeeds, fails, or is held until death.
CGT rates are rising. The planning window is closing.
Recent changes have made CGT deferral via EIS significantly more valuable for clients with qualifying gains.
BADR Rate
10% → 14% → 18%
Rising to 18% from April 2026. The 'entrepreneur's relief' discount is disappearing.
Standard CGT
20% → 24%
Higher rate gains increased from 20% to 24% (October 2024 Budget).
Annual Exempt Amount
£12,300 → £3,000
The CGT-free allowance has been virtually eliminated.
Lock in the lower rate. Defer the larger bill.
BADR + EIS deferral: use both
Your client doesn't have to choose between BADR and EIS deferral — they can use both. Pay BADR tax now at 14% on the qualifying portion to lock in the rate before it rises to 18% in April 2026. Then defer the remaining gain (taxed at 24%) by investing an equivalent amount into EIS-qualifying shares.
The deferred CGT only becomes payable when the EIS shares are disposed of. In the meantime, the capital that would have gone to HMRC is invested for growth — with 30% income tax relief received upfront and the potential for tax-free returns.
Who this calculator is for
Clients who have realised or will realise a qualifying capital gain — typically from a business sale, share disposal, or asset sale — and want to understand the tax planning options available via EIS deferral combined with BADR.
CGT deferral in four steps
Example: a client sells their business for a £1m gain, with £500k qualifying for BADR.
Client realises a qualifying gain
Business sale, share disposal, or asset sale. The gain must be chargeable to CGT (TCGA 1992). BADR may apply to the first £1m of qualifying business gains.
Subscribes for EIS shares
Within the qualifying window: 1 year before to 3 years after the disposal. Schedule 5B, TCGA 1992.
CGT is deferred, relief received
No CGT payable on the deferred amount. BADR eligibility preserved. 30% income tax relief received immediately on the EIS investment.
Three outcomes, all favourable
Success: tax-free growth. Failure: loss relief offsets the crystallised CGT. Death: deferred CGT eliminated permanently.
Three layers of relief
EIS deferral isn't a single tax benefit — it's three distinct reliefs that compound in your client's favour.
Layer 1 · Immediate
Income tax relief + CGT deferral
Your client receives 30% income tax relief on the EIS investment — returned as a tax refund or reduction. The CGT liability is deferred. Two distinct reliefs, both from day one.
Layer 2 · If it succeeds
Tax-free growth
After the 3-year qualifying period, gains on EIS shares are completely tax-free (s.150A TCGA 1992). The deferred CGT becomes payable on disposal, but tax-free growth can far exceed this. Returns are not guaranteed.
Layer 3 · If it fails
Loss relief offsets the crystallised CGT
Loss relief is available on the net cost (investment less income tax relief). This can be claimed against income tax at up to 45%, or offset against capital gains — including the deferred gain itself.
Model it for your client
Example: 45% taxpayer with a £1m business sale. £500k qualifies for BADR at 14%. Use the inputs to adjust for your client.
Slide to apply Business Asset Disposal Relief (14%, rising to 18% from April 2026).
What happens today
This cash stays with your client
Cash advantage vs paying CGT now
Extra cash your client keeps today
If it succeeds
At 1× (capital returned)
£1,060,000
+£300,000 vs paying CGT
At 2× (tax-free growth)
£2,060,000
+£1,300,000 vs paying CGT
Returns not guaranteed. Gains tax-free after 3 years.
If it fails (total loss)
Net cost after all reliefs
£625,000
63% of £1,000,000 invested
Loss relief covers deferred CGT by £75,000
On death while holding
Deferred CGT
Eliminated
£240,000 permanently written off
EIS shares qualify for 100% BPR (2+ years, within £2.5m cap)
The EIS only needs to return 0.70x to match paying CGT today. Above that, growth is tax-free after 3 years (not guaranteed).
Worst case: total loss breakdown
EIS invested
£1,000,000
Income tax relief (30%)
−£300,000
Effective cost
£700,000
Loss relief (45% of £700,000)
−£315,000
Deferred CGT crystallises
+£240,000
Total cash cost
£625,000
Full comparison: pay CGT now vs defer via EIS
| Item | Pay CGT Now | Defer via EIS |
|---|---|---|
| Capital gain | £1,000,000 | £1,000,000 |
| CGT at 24% | −£240,000 | Deferred |
| EIS invested | — | −£1,000,000 |
| Income tax relief (30%) | — | +£300,000 |
| Tax paid today | −£240,000 | £0 |
| Cash position | £760,000 | £300,000 |
What happens at exit
Every scenario has a tax-efficient angle. Here's how the numbers play out.
If the EIS succeeds
After the 3-year qualifying period, gains on EIS shares are tax-free (s.150A TCGA 1992). The deferred CGT becomes payable when shares are disposed of, but tax-free growth may significantly exceed this. Returns are not guaranteed.
If the investment fails
Loss relief is available on the net cost (investment less income tax relief). Offset against income tax at up to 45%, or against capital gains — including the deferred gain that crystallises. See the worst-case analysis above for your client's numbers.
If the client dies while holding
Deferred CGT is permanently eliminated (Schedule 5B, TCGA 1992). EIS shares held for 2+ years qualify for 100% Business Property Relief within the £2.5m per-estate cap. Beneficiaries inherit at market value (s.62 TCGA).
CGT deferral — the details
Is CGT deferral relevant for your client?
Most Suitable For
- ✓Client has a qualifying capital gain from a business disposal or asset sale
- ✓Client is a UK taxpayer with income tax liability
- ✓Client can commit capital for 3+ years
- ✓Client understands and accepts venture capital risk
- ✓BADR has been fully or partially utilised
- ✓Professional advice has been taken
Key Risks to Consider
- ⚠Capital loss: EIS investments are high-risk and may result in total loss
- ⚠Illiquidity: No secondary market; client cannot sell when they want
- ⚠Long holding period: Typical hold is 5–10 years
- ⚠Tax relief clawback: Income tax relief withdrawn if shares sold within 3 years
- ⚠Legislative risk: Tax rates and reliefs may change
- ⚠BADR rate: Rising from 14% to 18% from April 2026
- ⚠No FSCS protection
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This tool is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. EIS investments carry significant risks, including loss of capital, illiquidity, and the potential for HMRC to withdraw tax reliefs. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Ascension Ventures is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 833506). Tax reliefs referred to are those applying under current legislation, which may change. The availability of tax reliefs depends on individual circumstances.