Tax on Savings Interest — Personal Savings Allowance 2025/26
In 2025/26, basic rate taxpayers can earn up to £1,000 in savings interest tax-free. Higher rate taxpayers: £500. Additional rate: £0.
How much tax on savings interest?
Tax calculated as (Interest − PSA) × tax rate. Basic rate = 20%, Higher rate = 40%. Assumes interest exceeds the Personal Savings Allowance.
| Savings | Rate | Annual Interest | Tax (Basic) | Tax (Higher) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £10,000 | 4.5% | £450 | £0 | £0 |
| £20,000 | 4.5% | £900 | £0 | £160 |
| £25,000 | 4.5% | £1,125 | £25 | £250 |
| £50,000 | 4.5% | £2,250 | £250 | £700 |
| £100,000 | 4.5% | £4,500 | £700 | £1,600 |
Use your ISA allowance first
All interest earned within an ISA is tax-free. You can save up to £20,000 per tax year across Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs, and other ISA types. If you have savings outside an ISA earning taxable interest, consider transferring them into an ISA first.
Key thresholds for 2025/26
Starting rate for savings
Up to £5,000 of savings interest can be tax-free if your non-savings income (salary, pension, etc.) is no more than £12,570 + £5,000 = £17,570. The starting rate band is reduced £1 for every £1 of non-savings income above the Personal Allowance.
Personal Savings Allowance (PSA)
£1,000 for basic rate taxpayers (income up to £50,270). £500 for higher rate taxpayers (£50,271–£125,140). £0 for additional rate taxpayers (over £125,140).
ISA allowance
£20,000 per tax year. Interest within an ISA does not count towards your PSA and is always tax-free.
How savings interest is taxed
When you earn interest on savings held in bank accounts, building society accounts, or credit union accounts, that interest counts as income and may be taxable. Since April 2016, banks pay interest without deducting tax — it is your responsibility to pay any tax due through Self Assessment or PAYE code adjustments.
HMRC receives reports of your savings interest directly from banks and building societies. If you owe tax, they typically adjust your PAYE tax code for the following year to collect it automatically from your salary or pension.
Personal Savings Allowance explained
The Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) lets you earn a certain amount of savings interest each year without paying tax on it. The amount depends on your income tax band:
- Basic rate (20%) — £1,000 PSA
- Higher rate (40%) — £500 PSA
- Additional rate (45%) — £0 PSA
If your total savings interest exceeds your PSA, the excess is taxed at your marginal income tax rate (20%, 40%, or 45%).