''Whilst the sun is shining, make sure you fix the roof...''
If you’re thinking about saving or investing, it can be difficult to decide on the best place to put your money. There are hundreds of different accounts on offer from banks, building societies and investment companies. So how do you make your choice? For many people, taking out a tax efficient ISA (Individual Savings Account) can be a good place to begin. 

​What are ISAs?
An ISA is a tax-efficient way to save or invest. The advantage of these types of account is that you don’t pay tax on the interest you earn, or the increase in value of your investments (no Capital Gains Tax to pay) and some deliver a government bonus. There are now several different types of ISA available, designed by the government to encourage people over 16 to save or invest for their or their children’s future.
​What types are there?
The basic types of ISA are:
  • ​·Cash ISAs​
  •  Innovative Finance ISAs
  • ·Lifetime ISAs
  •  Stocks and Shares ISAs
  •  Junior ISAs

  • With a Cash ISA you don’t need to pay tax on the interest you earn on your cash.
  • Innovative Finance ISAs involve cash used for peer-to-peer lending, and mean that any interest you earn from lending your money to other people or companies is not taxed.
  • With a Lifetime ISA (LISA) you are able to hold your money in cash or invest in stocks and shares. LISAs are designed for those aged 18 to 40 wanting to save for their first home or retirement, with the added attraction that they can save until they are 50 if they wish to and can leave the account open until age 60. People under the age of 40 are able to contribute up to £4,000 in each tax year. Government bonuses apply up to age 50.If you choose a Stocks and Shares ISA, there is no Capital Gains Tax and no tax on income. ISA dividends have no impact on the dividend allowance.
  • Junior ISAs are a tax-efficient way to build up savings for a child and can be opened for any child under 18 living in the UK. The money can be held in cash and/or invested in stocks and shares.


How much can I save in an ISA?
The ISA allowance is a generous £20,000 for the 2020–21 tax year. You can put all the £20,000 into a Cash ISA, or invest the whole amount into a Stocks and Shares ISA or Innovative  Finance ISA. You can also mix and match, putting some into cash, some into stocks and shares and the rest into innovative finance if you wish. However, the combined amount can’t exceed your annual ISA savings allowance of £20,000 for the 2020–21 tax year.

With a Lifetime ISA, if you are aged between 18 and 40, you will be able to save up to £4,000 each year. The government will then provide a 25% bonus on these contributions at the end of the tax year. This means that people who save the maximum each year will receive a £1,000 bonus each year from the government. Savers will be able to make Lifetime ISA contributions and receive a bonus from the age of 18 up to the age of 50. Savers need to be aware of the risks associated with a LISA, early withdrawal charges, restrictions and accessibility. Commencement needs to be between 18 and 40, contributions can continue to 50, with access on first home purchase or from 60, without penalty.

In the 2020–21 tax year, £9,000 can be saved in a Junior ISA.
We can help you make the right choice of ISA based on your age, the length of time you want to save for and your plans for the future. We can save you time and make recommendations that are right for your personal financial circumstances.
Top Tips...
Remember, cash is not risk free
With interest rates currently low, there is a risk that over time inflation will erode the buying-power of your savings. You can hold a wide variety of assets in an ISA. We’ll explain these options to you.
Think about your time horizons
If you intend to save or invest into an ISA over the longer term, say five to ten years, then you may want to consider investing rather than saving in cash, giving your money more time and scope for growth.
Consider investing monthly
If you’re thinking of putting your ISA subscription into the stock market, but are worried about the current volatility that stocks and shares can sometimes have, then you can always choose to make regular contributions. This approach called ‘pound-cost averaging’ means that you don’t have to worry about getting the timing of purchases exactly right, and there’s no need to constantly watch markets to invest at the right moment.
Don’t forget your pension
Both ISAs and pensions are forms of tax wrapper that  offer valuable tax concessions. One of the key differences between ISAs and pensions is that contributions to ISAs  are made from taxed income, while those made to pensions are not. Savers contributing to a pension within HMRC annual and lifetime allowances receive tax relief at the same rate they pay income tax. With a pension, you can’t generally access your money before you are 55. For many people, contributing to an ISA and a pension makes good financial sense.

Get good advice ISAs have an important part to play in organising  your money in a tax-efficient way and making provision  for the future. We can offer advice about the type of ISA that would work best for you, whether you’re investing  for a child through a Junior ISA, looking to buy a  property using a a Lifetime ISA,  
or accumulating funds for future goals such as a comfortable retirement.