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ISA Advice

Psyduck1980
Psyduck1980 Posts: 141 Forumite
Seventh Anniversary 100 Posts
edited 4 January 2024 pm31 6:47PM in ISAs & tax-free savings
I’m a bit confused about how ISAs work and I was wondering if anyone could help me out with some specific questions. 

Context - I have a Stocks & Shares ISA with Invest Engine with about £200 in and I expect to deposit a further £75 by the end of the tax year. I don’t have a Cash ISA. I am a basic rate tax payer.  

Questions:

1. If I have earned in excess of £1,000 in interest in 2023/24 do I need to submit a self assessment? If so is that due in January 2025?

2. Can I set up a 1 year fixed rate Cash ISA now with an initial deposit of approximately £19,400? This is £20,000 less £275 less the interest expected between now and the end of the tax year less a small buffer? 

3. Can I add a further £19,300 (£20,000 less the interest expected between 6th April and the end of the fixed term less a small buffer) on 6th April or would I need to take out a new Cash ISA, possibly with a separate provider? 

4. What happens at the end of the fixed term (January 2025) if the variable rate is poor? Can I transfer the whole balance (circa £40k) to a new Cash ISA or only £20k? 

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 35,388 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 4 January 2024 pm31 6:52PM
    1. If I have earned in excess of £1,000 in interest in 2023/24 do I need to submit a self assessment? If so is that due in January 2025?
    Unless you're already self-assessing, you don't need to start doing so unless the savings interest exceeds £10K.  HMRC will be notified by the institutions of the interest you've been paid, and can then adjust your 2025/26 tax code later on if anything needs to be collected.

    2. Can I set up a 1 year fixed rate Cash ISA now with an initial deposit of approximately £19,400? This is £20,000 less £275 less the interest expected between now and the end of the tax year less a small buffer? 
    The £20K annual limit relates only to contributions, so you don't need to make any adjustment for interest.

    3. Can I add a further £19,300 (£20,000 less the interest expected between 6th April and the end of the fixed term less a small buffer) on 6th April or would I need to take out a new Cash ISA, possibly with a separate provider? 
    As above, no need to adjust for interest - you can pay £20K into your existing account if it still accepts contributions then, or a different one if it doesn't (or if you choose to).

    4. What happens at the end of the fixed term (January 2025) if the variable rate is poor? Can I transfer the whole balance (circa £40k) to a new Cash ISA or only £20k? 
    You can transfer it all - the rule is simply that all current year money must be in the same place.
  • Thanks very much Eskbanker. I have added a fourth question if you can answer that one too. 
  • I
    4. What happens at the end of the fixed term (January 2025) if the variable rate is poor? Can I transfer the whole balance (circa £40k) to a new Cash ISA or only £20k? 

    You can transfer the whole balance, be it £40k or £400k (or any other sum).  The £20k restriction only applies to the amount of new money you can deposit in the current tax year,  The ISA rules impose no restrictions on what you do with ISAs from previous tax years.    
    Reed
  • Albermarle
    Albermarle Posts: 26,039 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Sixth Anniversary Name Dropper
    I’m a bit confused about how ISAs work 

    If you spent some time reading through this forum you would almost certainly be less confused.
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