Use your ISA allowance before the tax year ends on 5 April

You can save up to £20,000 in ISAs in the 2026 to 2027 tax year, which ends on 5 April 2027. Interest and gains in an ISA are tax-free. From 6 April 2027 the cash ISA limit is planned to fall to £12,000 for people under 65.

Deadline

Every year by 5 April

Last checked

Checked against the official source: 20 October 2026

What if you miss the deadline? Each tax year has its own allowance. Money you pay in after 5 April counts towards the next year's allowance.

An ISA (Individual Savings Account) lets you save or invest without paying tax on the interest or gains. Every tax year you can pay in up to £20,000, in one account or split across several. The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April.

How to do it

1. Add up what you have paid into ISAs since 6 April.
2. Decide on the type: cash, stocks and shares, innovative finance or Lifetime ISA.
3. Pay in before 5 April. Leave a few days for the transfer to arrive.
4. If you are under 65 and save in cash, plan for the lower cash ISA limit from 6 April 2027.

Common questions

What is the ISA allowance for 2026 to 2027?

£20,000 across all your ISAs. Up to £4,000 of it can go into a Lifetime ISA.

Is the cash ISA limit changing?

The government has announced a cash ISA limit of £12,000 for people under 65 from 6 April 2027. The overall limit stays at £20,000, and people aged 65 or over keep a £20,000 cash limit.

Official source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

This information is not legal or tax advice.