EMI share options for startups.
EMI share options are one of the most tax-efficient ways to reward and retain the people building your company, without burning cash on salaries. We handle the financial side, eligibility, valuation support and the HMRC steps, so your scheme is set up right and keeps its tax advantages.
Reward your team without draining the bank
Early hires take a risk on you, and cash is tight. EMI options let you give them a real stake in the upside, aligning everyone behind growth, while keeping salaries manageable. Done right, it is a powerful retention and culture tool.
But EMI is unforgiving on detail. Get eligibility, valuation or the HMRC notification wrong and you can lose the tax advantages entirely. We handle the financial side carefully, alongside your lawyers, so the scheme does what you intend.
Signs you need this
- Want to reward and retain key hires
- Competing for talent on tight cash
- Promised equity but not set it up
- Unsure if you qualify for EMI
- Need a valuation agreed with HMRC
- Worried about getting the rules wrong
The financial side of EMI, handled
From checking you qualify to keeping the scheme compliant, alongside your lawyers.
Eligibility checks
We confirm your company and your employees qualify before you commit to a scheme.
Valuation support
We support the share valuation and agreeing it with HMRC, alongside specialists where needed.
Scheme design
How much to grant, to whom, vesting and the option pool, designed to fit your plans.
HMRC registration
We help register the scheme with HMRC so it is recognised and the tax treatment applies.
Grant notification
Each grant notified to HMRC within the required window, so options keep their status.
Alongside your lawyers
The scheme rules and agreements are legal documents, so we work hand in hand with your lawyers.
Our EMI process
A clear path from “should we?” to a scheme that is live and compliant.
Check eligibility
We confirm the company and the people you want to reward qualify.
Design the scheme
We shape the option pool, grants and vesting around your goals.
Agree a valuation
We support the valuation and agreeing it with HMRC.
Set up the documents
Your lawyers prepare the scheme rules and agreements, with our input.
Register & grant
We help register with HMRC and get the options granted correctly.
Stay compliant
We handle notification and keep the scheme on track as you grow.
A well-run EMI scheme helps you
“Anna and AI Accounts are very competent, receptive and solution-focused, and I trust their advice.”
Mattia, Anonymised
EMI connects to the rest
It sits alongside the wider equity and raise picture.
Investor Readiness
A clean cap table and option pool are part of being ready to raise.
Payroll
When options interact with pay and reporting, payroll keeps it clean, in Finance Foundations.
EMI questions
An Enterprise Management Incentive scheme lets a qualifying company grant tax-advantaged share options to employees. It is one of the most effective ways for startups to reward and retain key people without increasing salary costs.
Most independent UK trading companies with gross assets under the limit, fewer than 250 full-time employees and a qualifying trade can use EMI. Some activities are excluded. We check your eligibility and your employees’ eligibility before you set anything up.
We support the valuation and agreeing it with HMRC, working alongside valuation specialists where needed, so the option price is set correctly and the tax advantages are protected.
Yes. We help register the scheme with HMRC and make sure each grant is notified within the required window, so the options keep their tax-advantaged status.
Yes. The scheme rules and option agreements are legal documents, so we work alongside your lawyers on those while we handle the financial, valuation and HMRC side.
EMI scheme setup starts from £1,500 plus VAT as a one-off, depending on complexity. We will confirm the scope and fee clearly before any work begins.
Reward your team the smart way
Set up an EMI scheme that motivates your people and keeps its tax advantages. Book a quick intro call to get started.