How to claim EIIS tax relief: step by step

By BVP Investments Ltd · Last reviewed 3 November 2026

To claim EIIS relief on an investment in the BVP 2026 EII Fund, wait for the fund manager’s certificate, then claim the relief for 2026 on your income tax return: Form 12 in myAccount if you are a PAYE employee, or Form 11 in ROS if you are self-assessed.

The steps

Invest before the fund closes. The BVP 2026 EII Fund closes on 31 December 2026. Relief is claimed for the tax year in which you subscribe to the fund, even if the fund invests in companies the following year.
Wait for your certificate. When you invest through a fund, the fund manager issues a Manager’s Certificate (for a direct investment, the company issues a Statement of Qualification). BVP expects to issue certificates within twelve months of the fund completing its investments. You cannot claim before you have it.
Claim on your income tax return. PAYE employees use Form 12 in myAccount (Review your tax → Income Tax Return for the relevant year). Self-assessed taxpayers use Form 11 in ROS. Enter the EII claim in the reliefs section using the details on your certificate. Revenue also accepts claims through MyEnquiries in myAccount.
Get your refund or reduced bill. If you have already paid tax for that year, the relief is usually repaid as a refund once Revenue processes the return.
Carry forward anything unused. If your income is not high enough to use the full relief, or you exceed the annual limit, the unused relief can be carried forward and deducted from your income in later years.

Key rules

Tax year for relief	The year you subscribe to the fund (2026 for the BVP 2026 EII Fund)
Document needed	Manager’s Certificate (fund) or Statement of Qualification (direct investment)
Where to claim	Form 12 (myAccount) or Form 11 (ROS)
Annual limit	Relief on up to €1 million a year across the Part 16 reliefs, per Revenue guidance
Unused relief	Can be carried forward to later years
Holding period	Shares must be held for at least four years, or relief can be withdrawn

Your accountant or tax adviser can make the claim for you. Revenue’s own guidance is at revenue.ie.

Frequently asked questions

When can I claim EIIS relief?

Once you have received your Manager’s Certificate from the fund manager. BVP expects to issue certificates within twelve months of the fund completing its investments.

Which tax year do I claim EIIS relief for?

The year you subscribe to the fund. If you invest in the BVP 2026 EII Fund before it closes on 31 December 2026, you claim relief for 2026, even if the fund invests in companies in 2027.

Do PAYE employees need to file a tax return to claim EIIS relief?

Yes. PAYE employees claim on Form 12 through Revenue myAccount, or through MyEnquiries in myAccount.

What if I cannot use all my EIIS relief in one year?

Unused relief can be carried forward and deducted from your income in later years, subject to Revenue rules.

Can my accountant claim EIIS relief for me?

Yes. Your accountant or tax adviser can include the claim on your Form 11 or Form 12 using the details on your certificate.

Related guides

Capital at risk. Tax relief depends on individual circumstances and Revenue rules. Minimum 4-year holding period. EII investments are in unquoted, early-stage and growing companies and are illiquid. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. This page is general information, not tax or investment advice.