Frequently asked questions.

Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 restricts who may be sent an invitation to invest. Sterling Gold Securities communicates its offers to people who have completed and signed a statement confirming they are a high net worth individual or a sophisticated investor under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. Until that statement is completed, we cannot show you deal information.

To qualify as a high net worth individual you must have had income of at least £100,000 in the last financial year, or net assets of at least £250,000 throughout it. Net assets exclude your primary residence and any loan secured on it, your pension, and rights under qualifying insurance contracts. To self-certify as a sophisticated investor you must meet at least one of four tests: working in private equity or SME finance in the last two years; having been a director of a company with turnover of at least £1 million in the last two years; having made two or more investments in unlisted companies in the last two years; or having been a member of a business angel network for more than six months.

An investor statement is valid for twelve months from the date you sign it. We will ask you to complete a fresh statement when it expires.

It is 45%. The additional rate applies to non-dividend income above £125,140. A 50% rate applied only for the three tax years from 2010/11 and was reduced to 45% from 2013/14. Older material sometimes still quotes 50%.

SEIS gives income tax relief at 50% on up to £200,000 invested in a tax year. EIS gives 30% on up to £1 million, or up to £2 million where the amount above £1 million is invested in knowledge-intensive companies. You need sufficient income tax liability to absorb the relief; it is not paid out in cash.

At least three years from the issue of the shares, or from the start of the company's trade if that is later. Selling earlier withdraws the income tax relief and the capital gains tax exemption.

Loss relief may be available on the net cost of your investment, which is the amount you invested less the income tax relief already claimed. That loss can normally be set against income or against capital gains. Loss relief reduces what a failure costs you; it does not return your capital.

Sterling Gold Securities is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial promotions are either approved by an FCA-authorised person with the relevant approver permission, or communicated in reliance on an exemption in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. The position for each promotion is stated on the promotion itself.

No. Nothing on this website is a personal recommendation. You should take independent financial and tax advice before making any investment decision.

Shares in unquoted companies are illiquid and there is no ready market for them. Some companies later join a matched bargain platform, which can allow a willing buyer and seller to be matched, but there is no guarantee that a buyer will be found or that you will recover the amount you invested.

We use it to assess your eligibility, to send you information you have asked for, and to meet our legal obligations. We do not sell your data. You can withdraw consent to marketing at any time. Our privacy notice sets out the detail.

Yes. We work with regulated advisers, accountants and solicitors who introduce clients to us. Introducer arrangements are documented in writing, any fee is disclosed, and introducers do not give advice on our behalf.