Which Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) are available to you?

When considering an ISA, a key point to take on board is that ISA’s are not investments themselves, but wrappers which allow investments to be made tax-free.

By putting money into an ISA, it is possible to shelter the proceeds from capital gains tax and income tax.

For example, an investor who wanted to put money into assets that paid out income could quite legally avoid tax on that income.

Any investments made within the ISA wrapper would not need to be declared to the taxman.

With the end of the tax year approaching it’s important to understand the differences between the various types of ISA that currently exist, to help you decide which is best for you:

CASH ISA:

  • You have to be aged 16 or over and a UK resident for tax purposes. You will earn tax-free interest on your cash savings; the maximum contribution is £20,000 for tax year 2022/23.
  • You can only open one Cash ISA a year, but it is possible to transfer to another Cash ISA or a Stocks and Shares ISA with another provider during the tax year.
  • You can also have a combination of Cash & Stocks & Shares, within your allowance.
  • Viewed as low risk and safe as normally taken out with a Bank or Building Society and have no investment risk.
  • BENEFIT: Suitable place to hold cash on deposit, safe & secure.
  • BE AWARE: Cash interest rates can vary and access can be limited.

JUNIOR ISA:

  • Set up by Parents or Guardians and the child must be under 18 years of age.
  • You will earn tax free growth.
  • Parents, Guardians and Grandparents can pay in.
  • Contribute up to £9000 per year, into either Cash or Stocks & Shares.
  • Child can have control at age 16 but cannot access until age 18.
  • BENEFIT: Excellent way of setting up long-term tax-free savings for children.
  • BE AWARE: Child has access at age 18 and control over how money is spent.

LIFETIME ISA

  • You must be over 18 and under 40 years old.
  • You will earn tax free growth and can be either cash or stocks & shares.
  • Maximum contribution of £4000 per year and funding stops at age 50.
  • The Government will add 25% bonus up to maximum of £1000 per year.
  • Initially set up for First Time Buyers, to save for deposit.
  • Cannot access until age 60 unless for FTB purchase.
  • BENEFIT: Great way to save for house deposit with Government bonus or complement existing retirement plans
  • BE AWARE: You must stop funding at age 50 and Government bonus will also stop.

STOCKS & SHARES ISA

  • You must be aged 18 or over and a UK resident for tax purposes.
  • You will earn tax-free growth on your investment, with maximum contribution of £20,000 for 2022/23.
  • You will have a choice of which funds to invest into as well as environment friendly and sustainable funds and choose your level of risk.
  • You can choose to invest for growth or income or a combination of both.
  • You can pay regular premiums or lump sums or both.
  • BENEFIT: A Great way to invest medium to long term and gain tax free growth and income to supplement pension savings and draw income from.
  • BE AWARE: Value in a stocks & shares can fall and rise.

Read more about savings at money helper.org.uk

Find out if paying regular into an ISA is a good idea

Investment values can go up or down and you could get back less than you invest. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of a Stocks & Shares ISA, you should seek independent financial advice.

The tax treatment of this product depends on your individual circumstances and may change in future. If you are uncertain about the tax treatment of the product you should contact HMRC or seek independent tax advice.