ISA Allowances Explained

How the annual ISA subscription allowance works, flexible ISAs and Junior ISA limits.

Reviewed against official HMRC guidance

Tax year
2026/27
Last reviewed
August 2026
Reading time
5 min

How much can I pay into ISAs?

Who this guide is for: For anyone asking how much new money they can pay into Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) in a tax year, and how unused allowance and transfers work.

Each tax year, HMRC sets a single overall ISA allowance — the total new money you can pay into all your ISAs combined. Check GOV.UK for the figure that applies to the current tax year.

  1. Step 1Check this year's allowance on GOV.UK
  2. Step 2Subscribe across permitted ISA types
  3. Step 3Unused room does not roll forward
  4. Step 4Transfers follow separate rules
Confirm the current sterling limit on GOV.UK each tax year.

Subscriptions across your ISAs normally share that single limit. For what an ISA is and how it works, see ISA Guide.

How the limit is used

  • New money paid into ISAs counts toward the allowance.
  • You choose how to split the allowance across permitted ISA types.
  • Unused allowance does not roll forward to the next tax year.

Flexible ISAs and replacements

If your Cash ISA is flexible, withdrawals may be replaced in the same tax year without counting again toward the allowance — only where the provider supports flexibility.

Junior ISAs

Junior Individual Savings Accounts (Junior ISAs) have a separate annual allowance for each child. Parental subscriptions still need to respect that Junior ISA limit. Confirm the current Junior ISA figure on GOV.UK alongside the adult allowance.

Compare a taxable disposal with assets held inside an ISA Use the Capital Gains Tax Calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much can I pay into ISAs this year?

There is an overall annual Individual Savings Account (ISA) subscription allowance for each tax year. Confirm the current amount on GOV.UK.

What happens if I pay in too much?

Overpayments can create an invalid ISA. Providers and HMRC have correction processes — contact your provider promptly if you think you have exceeded the allowance.

Do transfers use my allowance?

A current-year subscription transfer is treated carefully under the rules; previous-year transfers generally do not consume fresh allowance. Follow GOV.UK and provider guidance for the transfer type.

What is a flexible ISA?

Some Cash ISAs let you withdraw and replace money in the same tax year without using extra allowance, if the provider offers flexibility. Not all ISAs are flexible.

Official sources

Related calculators

Related guides

Next steps

This guide is for general information only. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. Always check the official guidance for your situation.