110 Ideas for using EIS and VCTs for tax planning with Rakesh Murria of Ascension Ventures

The EIS Navigator

Although we generally focus on the investment aspects of EIS and VCTs, the recent budget brought a renewed spotlight onto the tax benefits. Rakesh Murria, COO of Ascension Ventures, has been looking at how the to use the reliefs in a more sophisticated way than the simple scenarios that generally get discussed. In this episode, he runs through some scenarios for us, illustrating how tax advantaged products can be used to reduce investor tax bills.

In a wide ranging discussion we talk about:

• tax reliefs for EIS, SEIS and VCTs
• how they may help with those with pension assets that were earmarked for inheritance
• mitigating CGT on carried interest (and how they may help when that changes too)
• how to use Business Investment Relief
• how EIS is an alternative to AIM for IHT relief

Rakesh discusses these issues with advisers regularly so has some great insights. Plenty of ideas for both investors and advisers.

00:55 Rakesh introduces himself

01:40 what Ascension does

03:40 summary of EIS and SEIS tax reliefs

06:00 CGT reliefs

12:20 VCT tax reliefs

14:00 Example 1 - addressing changes to pensions

20:00 ways of diversifying

26:30 Example 2 - mitigating CGT on carried interest

30:00 extra example for large earners

32:30 Example 3 - Business Investment Relief

40:00 Example 4 - EIS as an alternative to AIM for IHT relief

49:00 favourite questions

Links

Ascension Ventures - https://www.ascension.vc/

Links to webinar on tax planning - https://youtu.be/jPupRUp51HY?si=WijvDB2tq0ZdxTrT or https://www.ascension.vc/advisers/

Subscribe to the EIS Navigator podcast on most services here: https://the-eis-navigator.captivate.fm/listen

Suggested books and media

Material World by Ed Conway

Bio

Rakesh Murria

Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Ventures

Rakesh is the COO of Ascension (ascension.vc), where he oversees operations across their tax-efficient and institutional funds. With over 20 years in the technology, media, and telecoms sector, he’s held senior roles like Director of Product at EE, shaping their mobile, broadband, and TV offerings.

He’s also co-founded a FinTech start-up, spearheading its growth and raising £3m in funding, and has spent years advising early-stage tech companies. From corporate boardrooms to start-up hustle, Rakesh brings deep experience and practical insights to scaling businesses and driving innovation.

Disclaimer

The tax planning scenarios provided in this podcast are for information only and only apply in particular circumstances. This can be a complex area and you should speak to a knowledgeable professional before using these in practice.