How long does the whole process take?
📘 Overview
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is designed to help early-stage companies raise investment by offering tax reliefs to investors. The process typically takes up to 14 weeks from start to finish and involves several clear stages.
Below is a practical breakdown of what happens and when.
✅ Overview of Stages and Timelines
Stage |
Description |
Typical Duration |
| 1. Apply for advance assurance (optional) | Before issuing shares, you can apply to HMRC for advance assurance. This helps confirm your company and investment are likely to qualify for SEIS. | 4–6 weeks (HMRC response time) |
| 2. Issue shares and share certificates | Once investment is confirmed, issue shares to your investors and provide share certificates. This step is usually straightforward. | Around 1 week |
| 3. Send SEIS1 forms to HMRC | Submit form SEIS1 to HMRC to officially confirm the investment meets SEIS conditions. | 4–6 weeks (HMRC response time) |
| 4. Receive SEIS2 and SEIS3 forms | HMRC will return the SEIS2 and SEIS3 forms once approved. You then send the SEIS3 forms to each investor so they can claim their tax relief. | Around 1 week |
💡 Key Points
- The entire process can take up to 14 weeks, depending on HMRC response times.
- Advance assurance is not mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended before raising funds.
- Under the current rules:
- A company can raise up to £250,000 under SEIS.
- An investor can claim relief on up to £200,000 of investments in a tax year.
- Keep copies of all forms, correspondence, and share certificates for your records.
- Investors need the SEIS3 form from you to claim their tax relief.