Who are ISAs good for?
Both cash and share-based ISAs are good for people who want to leave money to their descendents: the advantage of an ISA is that, unlike a pension pot, it does not have to be used to buy an annuity at age 75. This means the money can be passed on at death – although they lose their tax-free status at that point. Cash ISAs have a range of benefits. They are good for: • Higher-rate taxpayers, who save 40 per cent tax on their savings. They are also useful to lower-rate taxpayers. Conversely, they bring no extra benefits to non-taxpayers, who enjoy tax-free savings by filling an R85 form from their building society or bank. Basic rate taxpayers gain the most if they decide, having saved for a number of years, to take income from an ISA, especially after they have retired: this is because income is paid free of tax • Emergency savings accounts. Most ISAs are flexible enough to allow instant encashment, although some will levy one or two months’ interest penalty for doing so • People who ha
