EMI Option Schemes back on track

In December 2017 someone at the Treasury dropped a clanger by not realising that EMI Option schemes would cease on 4 April 2018 because a renewal by the EU was required.

Thus with very short notice, on 4 April 2018 Accountants and Law firms were rushing around to get schemes approved before the arrangements ceased. Common sense has however prevailed and HMRC approval will be retrospectively re-instated where schemes missed the deadline. The scheme may lapse again at the point of Brexit, so planning ahead may be worth considering in the SME sector.