Answers · UK 2025/26
When does the ISA allowance reset?
The ISA allowance resets at the start of each UK tax year, on 6 April. You have until 5 April the following year to use that year's £20,000 allowance — it cannot be carried forward. A new £20,000 allowance becomes available the next 6 April.
Full answer
The annual ISA subscription limit follows the UK tax year, 6 April to 5 April. For 2025/26 the limit is £20,000 across all your adult ISAs (Cash, Stocks & Shares, Innovative Finance, Lifetime, with the LISA capped at £4,000 inside that £20,000). Unused allowance does NOT carry forward — if you put in only £5,000 by 5 April, the missing £15,000 is gone. On 6 April a fresh £20,000 starts. The Junior ISA allowance (£9,000 for under-18s) and Help to Buy ISA (closed to new accounts) follow the same dates. Practical points: ISA providers cut off new-money subscriptions in the last working days of the tax year — top up by mid-March to allow for transfers and BACS clearance; bed-and-ISA disposals must complete before 5 April to count; ISA transfers between providers do not use your current-year allowance for prior-year money. Aim to fund your ISA at the start of the tax year to maximise tax-free compounding.
Try the calculator
More answers
This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.