This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.
Savings Accounts That Are Tax Free
Why we like it: Includes a bonus of 0.88% AER (variable) if account held for 12 months. Transfer in any ISAs you hold with other providers. Interest rates drop if more than three withdrawals per year. Covered by FSCS. Rate when you transfer in your existing ISA - 4.04% AER (variable). Rate for each 12-month period after your first 12 months - 4.04% AER (variable). Rate when balance drops below £100 or after your fourth annual withdrawal - 3.00% AER (variable). Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
Why we like it: *The Moneybox Cash ISA includes a 4.25% AER variable underlying rate and a bonus rate of 0.503 for the first 12 months. Up to three withdrawals can be made within each 12-month period from the date of opening without affecting the interest rate. Transfer in any ISAs you hold with other providers into a Moneybox Cash ISA, entirely in-app. Covered by FSCS. If more than three withdrawals made within each 12-month period, a lower rate of 0.75% (variable) will be applied for the rest of that 12-month period. The lower interest rate of 0.75% will also apply if the account balance dips below £500, automatically returning to the higher interest rate when the balance returns to £500 or more again. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
Why we like it: Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Withdrawals subject to 30 days notice
Why we like it: Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Why we like it: ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Withdraw cash early if you need to (subject to loss of interest)
Why we like it: Interest paid annually. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected.. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. After 12 months the interest rate changes to 1.45% AER variable. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
Why we like it: Terms and Conditions: You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. Sole accounts only. Rate available until 25th September 2024 for new customers and 30th September 2024 for existing customers. Offer may be withdrawn early due to limited availability. Interest is calculated daily and paid annually to our ISA on the first business day of April and on the Maturity Payment Date. You can withdraw money from your account prior to the Start Date of the account. If you want to make a withdrawal after this time and before the Maturity Date, you must close your account by giving written notice in branch or via telephone. ISA subscription limits apply. If you make a payment into your Fixed Rate ISA you will not be able to make any further payments for that tax year into any other cash ISA with NatWest, except for a NatWest Help to Buy: ISA. Early Closure Charge applies. The Early Closure Charge will be the lower of the amount of interest earned on your account of 90 day’s interest. The Early Closure Charge will be decided from the balance of your Fixed Rate ISA. The interest payable on the money held in your account is tax-free. The tax treatment may be subject to change in the future and depends on your individual circumstances.
Why we like it: Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. ISA transfers in allowed. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older
Why we like it: Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. Withdrawals permitted subject to 90 days loss of interest. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
Why we like it: Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2024. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Why we like it: Make up to three withdrawals during the 12-month term of this account. Tax free ISA account. Open with £1 or transfer in existing ISA funds. Invest up to £20,000 per tax year. Manage your account online. Interest paid at maturity. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Make more than three withdrawals and the rate drops to 2.10% AER/gross p.a. (variable). Not available in branch
Why we like it: Interest paid annually. ISA transfers also allowed in (some providers charge a transfer fee). Open and manage online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. Withdrawals permitted subject to 180 days loss of interest. Online ISA is provided by OneFamily, savings in Post Office Cash ISAs are deposited with Bank of Ireland UK
Savings accounts that are tax free
When putting your money into a savings account, you need to consider how long you intend to save for and how much of a return you would like to see. You can then compare the different types of savings accounts available to see which ones best match you saving goals.
Tax-free interest on savings accounts.
From April 2016, you are entitled to a personal savings allowance.
If you are a basic rate taxpayer, you could earn up to £1,000 in interest without having to pay tax. The tax allowance for those paying a higher rate of tax is £500.
If you are looking to build up savings tax free the you should consider a ISA.
Cash ISAs
UK tax payers normally have to pay tax on any interest they earn on their savings. However, a cash ISA allows you to earn interest, tax-free, on deposits up to an agreed yearly limit. For the 2017/18 tax year that amount is £20,000.
There are two main types of cash ISAs – instant access and fixed-term. Instant access cash ISAs allow you to withdraw money whenever you need without paying a penalty, making them ideal for short term saving. Fixed-term cash ISAs have similar conditions to fixed rate bonds, so you may be unable to withdraw money until they reach the end of their term or have to pay a penalty in order to do so.
Cash ISAs allow you the flexibility to withdraw as much of your savings as you wish and replace it without it counting towards your annual ISA allowance.In order to benefit from this flexibility, you must replace the money within the same tax year.If you fail to replace the money you withdraw from your savings in the same tax year, your ISA allowance will be affected.
You can also transfer your savings from one ISA to another, if you are so inclined, without affecting your ISA allowance. Therefore, it is possible to open a cash ISA for your 2017/2018 allowance and transfer your savings from your existing ISA into it as well.It is important to note that not all providers will allow transfers from existing ISAs.
Cash ISAs do not always offer the best interest rates, so you will need to assess whether any tax savings will outweigh the benefits of the higher interest rates provides by other types of accounts.
Find the best short term savings account for you
With so many different brands and products on the market, it can be hard to figure out which offer the best deals for you. The comparison table at the top of this page is regularly updated with the most attractive deals on short term savings accounts from across the industry. This makes it easy for you to contrast the features of different accounts and find the right one for your saving needs.
