SURE Guide · 2026
SURE Scheme Ireland 2026: Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs Explained
The Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs (SURE) allows you to claim an income tax refund on investments of up to €100,000 in your own new company. If you're leaving employment to start a business, SURE can give you back up to 40% of your investment — putting thousands of euro back in your pocket. Use our Contractor Calculator to model your tax position.
How SURE Works
SURE is designed to reduce the financial risk of starting a business. Here's the flow:
Leave Employment to Start a Business
You must be made redundant or leave your employment to set up a new company. The company must be incorporated within 12 months of the cessation of your employment.
Invest Up to €100,000 in Your Company
You invest capital (cash) in exchange for shares in your new company. The investment must be used for the trading activities of the company, not for passive investments or property development.
Claim Income Tax Refund on Your Investment
You claim relief on your investment at your marginal income tax rate (up to 40%). The relief is spread over the year of investment and the following year — 50% in each year. You must have paid sufficient income tax in the prior year to cover the refund.
Work in the Business
You must spend at least 50% of your working time as a director or employee of the company. If you stop meeting this condition within 4 years, the relief may be clawed back.
Investment vs Tax Saved
The table below shows the tax refund you can expect based on your investment amount and marginal rate:
| Investment Amount | Tax Rate 20% | Tax Rate 40% | Effective Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| €10,000 | €2,000 | €4,000 | €6,000–€8,000 |
| €25,000 | €5,000 | €10,000 | €15,000–€20,000 |
| €50,000 | €10,000 | €20,000 | €30,000–€40,000 |
| €100,000 (max) | €20,000 | €40,000 | €60,000–€80,000 |
* Effective cost = investment minus tax refund. Relief is capped at the total income tax you paid in the prior year.
Eligibility Conditions
✅ Qualifying
- • Made redundant or left employment
- • Company incorporated within 12 months
- • Company trading within 12 months of incorporation
- • You work ≥ 50% of your time in the business
- • You own ≥ 15% of the company shares
- • Investment used for trading activities
❌ Not Qualifying
- • Investing in someone else's company
- • Company involved in property development
- • Company involved in financial activities
- • Investing through a trust or partnership
- • Already claimed EII relief on same investment
- • Company was previously trading (not new)
Real Example: Investing €50,000 via SURE
Conor left his job as a software developer to start a tech company. He invested €50,000 of his savings into the new company. As a higher-rate taxpayer (40%), he can claim:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Investment in new company | €50,000 |
| Income tax paid in prior year (pre-SURE) | €20,000 |
| SURE relief @ 40% | €20,000 refund |
| Net cost of investment | €30,000 |
Result: Conor effectively only spends €30,000 of his own money for a €50,000 investment in his company. The €20,000 tax refund reduces his risk significantly — if the business doesn't work out, he's lost less of his own capital.
How to Claim SURE Relief
Submit Form SURE 1
Complete and submit Form SURE 1 to Revenue along with supporting documents including your employment termination letter and company incorporation details. This form claims the relief in principle.
Claim on Your Income Tax Return
Include the SURE relief claim on your annual Form 11 (self-assessment) return. The relief is applied against the income tax you paid in the year before you made the investment.
Receive Your Refund
Revenue issues the refund directly to your bank account. The refund is split 50% in the year of investment and 50% in the following year — unless you elect otherwise. You must hold the shares for at least 4 years to avoid clawback.