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Martin Lewis Urges Savers To Use Four Tax‑Free Allowances To Shield Up To £38,570

He warns rising savings rates are pushing more people over tax‑free thresholds unless they plan where to hold cash.

Overview

  • The four tools he highlights are the Personal Allowance (£12,570), the Starting Rate for Savings (up to £5,000), the Personal Savings Allowance, and Cash ISAs with a £20,000 annual limit.
  • The Starting Rate for Savings is targeted at low earners with higher savings interest and tapers pound‑for‑pound once income exceeds £12,570, disappearing entirely at £17,570.
  • The Personal Savings Allowance lets basic‑rate taxpayers earn £1,000 of interest tax‑free each year (£500 for higher‑rate, none for additional‑rate), which at roughly 4.5% interest equates to breaching limits at a little over £22,000 or about £11,000 saved respectively.
  • Interest earned inside a Cash ISA is separate from and does not count toward the Personal Allowance, the Starting Rate for Savings or the Personal Savings Allowance.
  • The guidance reiterates existing HMRC rules and reflects a renewed push for savers to review accounts as higher rates increase the risk of paying tax on interest.