With the end of the tax year fast approaching, savers may be looking for ways to make the most of their Cash ISA allowances. Savings providers have been raising interest rates in recent weeks to give customers an extra boost, and as many as five are offering interest rates over 5%.
UK residents can currently save up to £20,000 per tax year in an Individual Savings Account (ISA) without paying tax on the interest earned. These accounts have become particularly popular during the recent period of high interest rates, as millions of savers have been met with hefty tax bills on their nest eggs. In a normal savings account, Britons can typically only earn so much interest before they have to pay tax on it.
For example, basic-rate income taxpayers can earn up to £1,000 in interest tax-free per year, and higher-rate taxpayers can earn up to £500. Additional-rate taxpayers receive no exemption and are taxed on all interest earned outside of tax-free accounts.
However, the generous £20,000 ISA allowance may be under threat, with analysts widely expecting Chancellor Rachel Reeves to target it in her autumn budget this year. The Treasury is reportedly considering ways to reform the tax-efficient savings tool – and slashing the tax-free allowance to £4,000 per year is one controversial suggestion.
Subsequently, savers are being urged to make the most of the allowance while they still can. Catherine Wray, senior manager for savings at Leeds Building Society, said: “The potential changes to the current £20,000 annual allowance on Cash ISAs underlines the importance of people reviewing their savings. It’s crucial that savers don’t overlook the opportunity to open new ISA accounts or transfer their existing savings into another Cash ISA before the tax year ends.”
Easy access Cash ISAs provide savers with tax-free benefits, typically with little to no withdrawal restrictions. Here are the top five available at the time of writing.
Chip’s Easy Access Cash ISA – 5.26%
Savings app Chip is topping the table with a 5.26% Annual Equivalent Rate (AER) on its instant access pot.
The rate includes a 0.90% bonus for the first three months for new customers. The account can be opened with just £1, interest is paid monthly, and there are no withdrawal restrictions.
To receive the bonus rate, savers simply need to enter the code “ISASEASON” on Chip’s website. After the initial bonus period, the interest rate will revert to Chip’s standard rate of 4.32% AER, so it’s important for savers to review their accounts regularly to ensure they’re still getting a competitive return.
Trading 212’s Cash ISA Promo Rate – 5.26%
Trading 212 joins Chip with an AER of 5.26%. The deal includes a bonus rate of 0.76% for three months, and savers can launch the account with just £1. Interest is paid monthly, and withdrawals are not restricted.
Moneybox Cash ISA – 5.25%
Investment app Moneybox places just behind with an AER of 5.25%, and savers can launch the account with a minimum deposit of £500.
Moneybox’s offer includes a 1.05% bonus rate for the first three months, after which the rate will drop. Up to three withdrawals are permitted per 12-month period, and interest is paid on the anniversary.
Plum Cash ISA – 5.04%
Plum’s Cash ISA offers an AER of 5.04% on deposits of £100 or more. This rate includes a 1.48% bonus for the first 12 months, and interest is also paid monthly. However, Plum imposes a lower interest rate if you make more than three withdrawals in a calendar year.
For savers who can keep their withdrawals to a minimum, Plum offers a competitive rate with fewer restrictions.
Zopa Smart ISA – 5.01%
Zopa’s Smart ISA offers an AER of 5.04%. The new easy access deal includes a 1.16% bonus rate fixed for three months, and savers can get started with just £1. Interest is paid monthly, and there are no restrictions on withdrawals.
