Tax relief to investors in early-stage companies

The Employment Investment Incentive (EII) helps small and medium enterprises attract investment by offering an Income Tax relief to private investors. Most trading activities are included in the scheme but certain professional services such as legal and medical services are excluded. 

You might be eligible if: 

• Your company is an unquoted micro-enterprise or SME carrying out a qualifying trade 

• You are a new company that has not yet commenced operations 

• You are a company operating less than seven years since your first commercial sale 

• You are a company in operating less than ten years since incorporation 

• Your company is expanding into a new economic activity 

Eligibility is subject to terms and conditions which can be found on the Revenue website. 

Your company may raise €5.5 million in any 12-month period, up to a lifetime limit of €16.5 million. Investors can obtain income tax relief on investments for shares in your company up to certain limits each tax year.  

The funds you raise must be used for a qualifying purpose. The investment must be based on a business plan. Your company must demonstrate that the investment will contribute directly to the creation or maintenance of employment in the company or if your company is not yet trading that your company will use the investment for research and development activities.