Social Investment Tax Relief

The government is introducing a new social investment tax relief later this year.  The Treasury has recently issued a roadmap setting out the government’s plans.  Full details are available on www.gov.uk.

The tax relief is currently envisaged as follows:

• Available for private investment in limited companies that are charities, community interest companies, community benefit societies, and in some social impact bonds.
• Investee organisations are limited to 500 or fewer employees and a maximum of £15 million gross assets.
• A wide range of trading activities, including nursing and care homes, will be eligible, much more than under the Enterprise Investment Scheme.
• Investment in the form of unsecured debt will be eligible for tax relief, subject to certain conditions.
• The minimum investment period is 3 years.
• Income tax relief will be given as a deduction from income tax liability
• Capital gains will be exempt after three years, as for the Enterprise Investment Scheme relief.
• Investments into any one organisation will be subject to a cap.

The tax reliefs look interesting but whether or not this should be regarded as an investment or a donation remains to be seen.