Guide to ISAs | How they work and everything you need to know

I give you two choices for the hard-earned money you’ve saved and invested. Choice one means you’ll have to give some of your profits to taxes, while choice two means you won’t. I know which one I’d pick. This is where the ISA comes into play: to give you an advantage over taxes.

This article will explore an ISA, how it works, how to open one, and more.

What is an ISA account in the UK?

An ISA (Individual Savings Account) is a tax-free savings or investment account for UK tax residents. It allows you to put your ISA allowance to work and maximize the potential returns you make on your money as it is exempt from income tax, tax on dividends, and capital gains tax. It’s basically like a shield around your money that protects it from government taxing it. So, by using an ISA account, you can keep more of your money for yourself and avoid paying taxes on it.

For the tax year 2023/2024, you can put a maximum of £20,000 per year into your ISA accounts, which can be placed among various ISA accounts. That is the total cap across all the different accounts. You can put 20,000 pounds into just one or spread it between the different types. Before going into further details, you must understand how an ISA works.

An Individual Savings Account (ISA) functions similarly to regular savings and investment accounts but with additional benefits. One notable feature is the flexibility in how you utilize your annual ISA allowance. While you can certainly invest your entire allowance into a single ISA, you also have the option to distribute it across various types of accounts. This means you could divide your allowance between cash, stocks and shares, or innovative finance. We will talk about this in more detail.

If you earn interest on your savings, the amount you can keep without paying tax depends on how much you earn and what tax bracket you’re in. You can earn up to £1,000 interest tax-free if you’re a basic rate taxpayer. Higher rate taxpayers can have up to £500 tax-free; additional rate taxpayers don’t get any tax-free allowance and pay 45% tax on all their interest.

Flexible and Inflexible ISAs

Another important point is that some ISAs are flexible, and others are not. With a flexible ISA, you can take out money when you need it during the year, and if you put it back in the same year, it won’t affect your overall allowance. But with an inflexible account, you lose part of your allowance for that year if you take out money. For instance, let’s say you put £10,000 into an ISA. If you then take out £2,000 from an inflexible ISA, you can only put back a maximum of £10,000 in that same account for the year. So, you’ll only have invested £18,000 for that tax year because of the £2,000 you took out.

Different Types of ISA accounts in the UK

The good thing here is that you can choose from different accounts. There are different types of ISA accounts you can put your money in one of each kind of ISA each tax year. Let’s understand them briefly:

• Cash ISAs: A cash ISA works much like a regular savings account but with one key difference: a cash account doesn’t have to pay income tax on the interest it earns.
  
• Stocks and Shares ISAs: A Stocks and Shares ISA is a tax-efficient investment option UK stockbrokers offer. The profits earned in this account are exempt from capital gains and income tax, provided the deposit is within the yearly allowance.
  
• Innovative Finance ISAs: It enables account holders to utilize their annual ISA allowance by lending funds to other borrowers through the peer-to-peer lending market. The interest accrued from this lending activity is exempt from taxation.
  
• Lifetime ISAs: The Lifetime ISA (LISA) allows holders to efficiently save for purchasing their first home or retirement. Furthermore, it has a government bonus on contributions.
  
• Junior ISAs: A junior account is designed to provide long-term tax-free savings or investments for children under 18. 

ISA account Vs Savings Account UK

Even if both products are intended for saving purposes, the main differences lies on the following items:

1. Tax Treatment:
   • ISA: Any interest earned, dividends received, or capital gains from an ISA are free from UK tax. This means you don’t have to pay income, dividend, or capital gains tax on the returns from money you’ve saved or invested within the ISA.
   • Savings Account: Interest earned on a regular savings account is subject to tax over a certain threshold. The personal savings allowance allows basic rate taxpayers to earn £1,000 in interest tax-free, and higher rate taxpayers £500. Additionally, taxpayers do not receive a personal savings allowance, so they pay tax on all their interest earned.
2. Contribution Limits:
   • ISA: There are annual limits to how much money you can contribute to ISAs. For the 2023/2024 tax year, the limit is £20,000, which can be spread across different types of ISAs (Cash ISA, Stocks and Shares ISA, Innovative Finance ISA, Lifetime ISA).
   • Savings Account: There are generally no limits on how much you can deposit into a standard savings account.
3. Access to Funds:
   • ISA: Access can vary depending on the type of ISA. Cash ISAs typically offer easy access, whereas Stocks and Shares ISAs might have longer-term investment horizons.
   • Savings Account: Accessibility varies widely, from instant access accounts to accounts that require notice for withdrawals or lock in your money for a fixed term.
4. Risk:
   • ISA: The risk varies depending on the type of ISA. Cash ISAs are low risk, similar to regular savings accounts, while Stocks and Shares ISAs carry a higher risk as they are subject to market fluctuations.
   • Savings Account: Generally considered low risk, especially if they hold cash. However, the interest rates might be lower than the potential returns from ISAs that allow investments.

Cash ISA account vs. Savings account in the UK

Based on the previous information, we could say that a Savings account and a Cash ISA account are very similar as they both depend on the cash or money placed in each account. However, there is a key difference: Cash ISA accounts don’t have income tax on interest earned.

Below is a comparison table that outlines the main differences between a Cash ISA and a regular savings account, highlighting key aspects such as tax benefits, contribution limits, interest rates, access to funds, and usage flexibility.

Feature	Cash ISA	Regular Savings Account
Tax Benefits	Interest earned is tax-free, no matter the amount.	Taxable if interest exceeds £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers or £500 for higher rate taxpayers.
Contribution Limits	Max £20,000 per tax year across all ISAs.	No limit on contributions.
Interest Rates	Generally lower due to tax benefits; varies by provider.	Often higher; varies by account type and provider.
Access to Funds	Varies: some offer instant access, others may have withdrawal restrictions.	Ranges from instant access to fixed terms for higher rates.
Usage and Flexibility	Best for tax-free saving without frequent withdrawals.	Ideal for flexible saving with potentially higher rates.
Protection	Covered by FSCS up to £85,000 per financial institution.	Same coverage up to £85,000 per financial institution.

Who can open an ISA?

To open an ISA account, you must also be either:

• Tax-residents in the UK
• a Crown servant (for example, diplomatic or overseas civil service) or their spouse or civil partner if you do not live in the UK

Also, certain age requirements must be met:

• 16+ for cash ISA
• 18+ stocks and shares or innovative finance ISA
• 18+ but under 40 for a Lifetime ISA

Holding an ISA on behalf of someone else is not permissible. However, children under 18 can have a Junior account. In cases where an individual lacks the mental capacity to open and manage the account, a close friend or relative can seek a financial deputyship order from the Court of Protection (COP) to handle these responsibilities.

How to open an ISA account?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to open an ISA account:

1. Research and choose a provider:

• Compare ISAs offered by different banks, building societies, credit unions, and other financial institutions.
• Consider factors like interest rates, fees, account types (cash, stocks and shares, innovative finance, Lifetime), and minimum deposit requirements.

2. Apply for your chosen ISA:

• This can usually be done online or in the branch.
• You’ll need to provide personal details like your name, address, and date of birth, as well as financial information like your employment status and income.
• Complete the application form provided by the account provider.

3. Verify your identity:

• The provider will need to verify your ID to comply with regulations. This may involve uploading a copy of your passport or driving licence.

4. Fund your account:

• You can usually transfer money from your current account to fund your ISA. Some providers may have a minimum deposit requirement. The minimum deposit amount will vary depending on the provider and the type of account you’re opening. Follow the instructions provided by the provider to transfer funds into your new account.

5. Choose how to manage your account:

• Some ISAs, particularly Stocks and Shares, allow you to choose investment options. You may want to seek financial advice if you’re unsure how to invest your money.

And you are done. Now, you don’t have to worry about taxes eating your money, and you can earn more with these accounts.

How to close an ISA?

Closing your ISA doesn’t have to be complicated. You can manage the process smoothly and effectively by understanding your rights, knowing the procedures, and preparing for special conditions. You are entitled to close your ISA at any time. This freedom is typically stipulated in the terms and conditions of your ISA agreement.

Initiate ISA Closure

• Requesting Closure: You can close your ISA without a written request. Depending on your ISA provider’s policies, digital or verbal requests are usually acceptable.
• Third-Party Closure Requests: If you wish, someone else can request the closure of your ISA on your behalf. Ensure such requests are authenticated to prevent unauthorized actions.
• Some ISAs may be automatically closed if the account balance dips below a specified threshold as outlined in your terms and conditions.

Special Considerations for Different Types of ISAs

• Lifetime ISA closing considerations
  • For Lifetime ISAs, particularly after an unsuccessful first home purchase, the account may stay open longer to address potential refunds or related financial adjustments.
• Possibility of reopening your ISA
  • If you find it necessary, you can reopen an ISA that was closed earlier in the same tax year to resume contributions or to redeposit funds previously withdrawn.

Key considerations for closing your ISA

• ISA maintenance despite changes in residency:
  • Moving abroad does not necessitate closing your ISA. You can keep it open and manage it or transfer it to a different manager until you meet the residency requirements again.
• Impact of bankruptcy:
  • In the event of bankruptcy, your ISA must be closed either on the day the trustee is appointed or when an official receiver takes charge.
• Managing dormant accounts:
  • If there have been no transactions in your account for over 15 years, it may be classified as dormant and closed, with funds transferred to the Reclaim Fund Ltd. Note: This does not apply to Junior ISAs.
• Dealing with an ISA after the account holder’s death:
  • Post-death, the ISA continues to provide tax advantages for up to three years during the estate administration, facilitating the handling of the deceased’s financial affairs.
• Correcting minor errors:
  • Minor administrative errors, like minor over-contributions, can often be corrected without closing the ISA.
• Major compliance issues necessitating closure:
  • Significant breaches of eligibility requirements might require the ISA to be closed, leading to a denial of all tax benefits associated with the account.

Bottom Line

Money growing with a little extra magic – that’s what ISAs can do with earning extra on your money and saving tax, too. All the interest or profits you earn inside this account are tax-free. That means more money stays put to help you reach your savings goals faster. ISAs are also flexible; unlike some savings plans, you can typically access your cash whenever you need it without any penalties. Knowing you have a safety net for emergencies gives you peace of mind. Opening an ISA is a smart financial move that can help you make the most of your money. Before taking any decision, read all the details carefully so you don’t face any problems in future.

FAQ ISA Accounts in the UK