The basics of investing in an Isa

published 12 March 2015

An individual savings account (Isa) is a tax-efficient wrapper for your savings and investments. There are two types of Isas. Cash Isas are usually provided by banks and building societies and are essentially a tax-free savings account. Stocks and shares Isas are provided by stockbrokers and fund managers, and are used to hold investments. Don't be confused by the name they can also be used to hold bonds and funds, as well as shares.

You can contribute up to £15,000 to an Isa in the tax year ending 5 April 2015, rising to £15,240 next year. You can only pay into one cash Isa and one stocks and shares Isa in each tax year, but you can split your contribution between them in whatever proportion you like. Unused allowances can't be rolled over to the next tax year it's a case of "use it or lose it".

Isas from previous tax years can be transferred to a new provider for a better interest rate, lower charges or a wider range of investments. This does not count towards your limit for the year. But it's vital to arrange an official transfer rather than simply withdrawing the money. Once you take money out, that Isa allowance is lost you can't just pay it back in.

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However, if you need to take money out of your Isa, you can do so at any time (subject to any restrictions from your provider). In the meantime, you pay no tax on any income or capital gains within the account. That means Isas offer a very useful combination of flexibility and tax breaks.

Cris Sholto Heaton is an investment analyst and writer who has been contributing to MoneyWeek since 2006 and was managing editor of the magazine between 2016 and 2018. He is especially interested in international investing, believing many investors still focus too much on their home markets and that it pays to take advantage of all the opportunities the world offers. He often writes about Asian equities, international income and global asset allocation.

Cris began his career in financial services consultancy at PwC and Lane Clark & Peacock, before an abrupt change of direction into oil, gas and energy at Petroleum Economist and Platts and subsequently into investment research and writing. In addition to his articles for MoneyWeek, he also works with a number of asset managers, consultancies and financial information providers.

He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and the Investment Management Certificate, as well as degrees in finance and mathematics. He has also studied acting, film-making and photography, and strongly suspects that an awareness of what makes a compelling story is just as important for understanding markets as any amount of qualifications.