Make the most of your ISA allowance – get set up online before 5 April
Every tax year you can invest up to £20,000. Use it or lose it – unused allowance can’t be rolled over.
Registering for Online Service makes it simple to manage and top up your ISA in just a few clicks, so you’re ready to make the most of your allowance before the tax year ends.
Why register for Online Service?
You’ll be able to manage your ISA quickly and securely online.
- Keep track of your investments
- Make or manage regular payments, or make top-up payments when it suits you
- Transfer other ISAs
- View your account documents and statements
Remember, the value of investments can go up and down, so you may get back less money than you put in. Tax depends on your individual circumstances and the regulations may change in the future.
Don’t hang about
- The Deadline is 5 April
Your ISA allowance resets on 6 April 2026, and you can’t roll unused allowance forward.
- Tax-Free Gains
Returns in an ISA are tax-free, unlike interest on savings or returns in a general investment account.
- Shifting Tax Policy
Changes to dividend and savings income tax (outside of wrappers like ISAs) make Stocks & Shares ISAs more important than ever. Read more about the 2025 November Budget.
- Cash vs. Investments Long Term Growth
Cash is valuable for short-term goals, where you need easy access and if 100% capital protection is vital. For long-term goals, cash savings may not keep up with inflation.
Historically, stock markets have generally grown more than cash savings over the long term. While markets have ups and downs, time in the market matters.
Investment vs savings returns over the last 20 years
This chart shows the growth of a £10,000 lump sum saved or invested since November 2005
Source: Lipper, using Moneyfacts and MSCI. Remember past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.
Use your allowance before the deadline
Register today and have everything in place to manage your ISA easily online when it suits you.
Any questions?
See our help section
Questions and answers
What is Online Service?
Online Service lets you manage your investments securely online, track performance, make payments, and view documents whenever you need them.
How do I register?
For full step-by-step instructions, see how to register here. You’ll need your VIR number, which you’ll find on any statements or letters we sent in 2023 or earlier. Then, we’ll send you a PIN by post, which you can use to complete your registration.
Call us if you need any help – our number is 03455 28 88 88. We’re here 8am to 9pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays.
Can I still manage my ISA by phone?
Yes, if you opened your account before 1 January 2023, you can call or write to us if you wish. If you send us a cheque, remember to make it payable to Octopus Money Direct. However, it’s quicker and safer to use Online Service – visit the register page for info.
How much can I invest in an ISA this tax year?
In the 2025/26 tax year, the annual ISA allowance is £20,000 across all your ISAs — not per account.
If I don’t use my ISA allowance, can I roll it over into next year?
No — if you don’t use your ISA allowance in a tax year, you lose it. It doesn’t carry forward.
Can I have more than one ISA at the same time?
Yes — you can open more than one ISA in the same tax year, including two or more of the same type (e.g., multiple Stocks & Shares ISAs).
However, you can’t contribute more than £20,000 in total across them in one tax year.
Can ISA growth push me over my allowance?
No — your allowance only applies to what you put in, not what it grows into. Any returns inside your ISA are not subject to income or capital gains tax.
What happens if I accidentally contribute more than £20,000?
If you go over the allowance, you can contact HMRC — or they will contact you and let you know how they plan to adjust for the overpayment.
Can I inherit a partner’s ISA allowance?
Yes — spouses and civil partners can inherit an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) allowance equal to the value of the ISA held by the partner who passed away.
How are ISA rules changing in future years?
From April 2027, the tax-free allowance on cash ISAs will drop from £20,000 to £12,000 for under-65s — there’s no change for over-65s.
Does transferring an ISA affect my allowance?
No — ISA transfers don’t reduce your annual allowance, even if you transfer the full balance.