Independent Savings Accounts(ISA's) were launched in April 1999 as a Government incentive for people to save money.
The ISA is simply a tax free wrapper into which various investments can be placed and enjoy the tax free growth allowable.
The rules of investing in a ISA is that anyone over the age of 18 can invest up to a maximum of £20,000 in the current tax year. You can choose to place up to £20,000 of your investment into a Cash ISA or up to £20,000 in Stocks & Shares ISA or split the £20,000 as you choose over Cash and Stocks & Shares based ISA.
Cash ISA:
This is a deposit based savings account typically giving instant access with tax free interest. In the main these accounts are offered by Banks and Building Societies.
In the event of death the monies held wihtin an individuals ISA can be transferred into their spouses ISA free of taxation.
* Tax information given is based on the 2025/2026 tax year, correct as of 28th August 2025, and may be subject to change in the future.
THE VALUE OF SOME OF YOUR INVESTMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED AND CAN GO UP OR DOWN DEPENDING UPON INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. YOU COULD GET BACK LESS THAN YOU HAVE PAID IN.