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118 EIS & VC Basics: What are the VCT tax reliefs? with Paul Mattick of Mercia
Episode 11821st October 2025 • The EIS Navigator • Brian Moretta, Hardman & Co
00:00:00 00:13:42

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In the fourth of basics mini-series for the EIS Navigator we discuss Venture Capital Trust (VCT) tax reliefs. Mercia manage the three Northern VCTs, so we asked their head of investor relations, Paul Mattick, to come on and explain how they work. VCTs are the most popular of the tax advantaged schemes, so it's great to get someone with such deep knowledge to explain the reliefs.

The topics we cover in the discussion include:

  • what is income tax relief?
  • what are the limits on the tax relief
  • how offer periods interact with that
  • what is the tax position on dividends
  • what dividend strategies do we see in the market
  • whether capital gains is payable

As well as explaining the reliefs, Paul brings in a few important nuances which will help many investors. Enjoy!

Links

Mercia Asset Management - https://mercia.co.uk/


HMRC page on Venture Capital Trusts: https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/venture-capital-schemes-manual/vcm50000

HMRC page on tax reliefs for venture schemes: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/venture-capital-schemes-tax-relief-for-investors


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You can see this episode on video too here.

The playlist for all the videos of the Basics series will be found here.


Bio

Paul Mattick

Head of Sales and Private Investor Relations, Mercia Asset Management

Dr Paul Mattick heads the Sales and Investor Relations team for the Mercia EIS Funds and VCTs. He works directly with private clients and advisers to build the EIS fund raising capacity of Mercia. Paul oversees the administration and development of the EIS funds, and ensures that investors receive a high level of service, much of which is delivered through Mercia’s award-winning Investor Centre.

Paul has a variety of experience in early-stage businesses (including being a founder), and formerly worked at another leading EIS fund manager, where he built close relationships with top tier clients, and significantly grew both fund and single company assets under management. Paul has a PhD and Post-Doctorate from the University of Oxford and a 1st Class Bachelor of Science from the University of Leeds.


Disclaimer

Please note this podcast/interview does not constitute a financial promotion and is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as an invitation or offer to buy or sell any investments. Please be aware that investments into unquoted companies are high risk, long term and illiquid investments. Your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Target returns are not guaranteed and forward looking statements are illustrative only and must not be relied upon. Investors should only invest on the basis of reading the full offer documentation. Listeners must make their own independent decisions and obtain their own independent advice regarding any information, projects, securities, tax treatment or financial instruments mentioned herein.


For more information, please read our full disclaimers:


www.hardmanandco.com/research-disclosures

www.hardmanandco.com/disclaimer

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