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Posted 5 days ago by Paul Walker
If an individual's only source of income is non-ISA bank interest of say £35,000 p.a. (i.e. they have no salary/wages, no pension income) will the first £18,570 p.a. of bank interest be tax free (being £12,570 personal allowance plus £1,000 personal savings allowance plus £5,000 starting rate for savings)? Thanks.
Posted 3 days ago by HMRC Admin 21 Response
Hi,
Three allowances allow you to earn interest before you have to pay tax:  
•    Your Personal Allowance– the standard Personal Allowance is £12,570, which is the annual amount of income you do not have to pay tax on.  
•    The starting rate for savings means you may also get up to £5,000 of interest and not have to pay tax on it if your other income is less than £17,570. Every £1 of other income above your Personal Allowance reduces your starting rate for savings by £1. If your income is above £17,570, you are not eligible for the starting rate on savings. More information available on GOV.UK.  
•    The Personal Savings Allowance allows you to earn up to £1,000 of interest, without paying tax, if you are a basic rate tax payer. This is reduced to £500 if you are a higher rate tax payer and zero if you are an additional rate taxpayer.  
•    All Self Assessment customers are required to declare any interest received on their tax return, regardless of whether it falls within the Personal Allowance, Personal Savings Allowance or starting rate for savings. These will be applied when the total tax charge is calculated.
Please find further guidance at: 
Check if you need to send a Self Assessment tax return.
Thank you.
Posted 3 days ago by Paul Walker
Thank you for your reply but I was hoping for a more definitive answer given the specific scenario I described in my original question. Are you able to provide this? Thanks again.
Posted about 12 hours ago by HMRC Admin 13 Response
Hi Paul Walker,
This forum is for general queries only and is intended to help you self-serve. We are unable to provide specific advice tailored to individual circumstances.
After consulting the guidance already advised and wish further clarification then please contact: Self Assessment: general enquiries.
Alternatively you may wish to seek professional advice.
Thank you
 

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