The table below shows the Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) that are currently available, together with details of how much money each VCT has raised and our discount which is in the form of additional shares. As we are execution-only brokers, we reduce the cost of purchasing a VCT by rebating the majority of our commission to increase your investment.

*includes CFS discount and any extra discount from the VCT.

Updated: 17/03/10

Please note the VCT Closing Dates are subject to change depending on amounts raised.

Just to recap, here is a brief summary of the benefits available upon investing in a VCT for the 2009/10 tax year:

• Income Tax rebate of 30% (#)
• Exemption from tax on dividends
• Exemption from Capital Gains Tax on profits made from selling of VCT shares

(#) The 30% income tax rebate is available not just to higher rate taxpayers but also to basic rate taxpayers, so long as you have paid as much tax as you are claiming a rebate for. Individuals aged 18 and over who subscribe for new ordinary shares in VCTs are entitled to claim income tax relief at 30% subject to the amount subscribed in any one year not exceeding £200,000. This tax relief will be clawed by HMRC should the investment be sold within 5 years of making the investment.

Please note the tax relief should be viewed as a bonus to purchasing the underlying investment and not the prime reason for investing in a VCT. A VCT is given provisional approval by HMRC provided the 70% requirements are met within 3 years and other conditions are duly met. If the trust fails to meet the conditions within these time periods, provisional approval would be withdrawn.

Please remember that the value of VCT investments can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Furthermore, it would be unwise to purchase a VCT purely for the upfront tax relief and try to sell immediately after the minimum five year holding period. It usually takes three years to invest the monies raised and create a portfolio of qualifying investments, which are usually unquoted companies that don't lend themselves to short term horizons. VCTs should be considered at least 6-10 year investments. In addition, liquidity of these investments is poor, with the secondary market for VCT shares notoriously illiquid.