£200,000 Savings at 3% — Tax on Interest 2025-26
Annual interest earned: £6,000 · Personal Savings Allowance applied
Tax breakdown — £200,000 savings at 3%
| Taxpayer band | PSA | Taxable interest | Tax owed | Net interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic rate (salary ≤ £50,270) | £1,000 | £5,000 | £1,000 @20% | £5,000 |
| Higher rate (£50,270–£125,140) | £500 | £5,500 | £2,200 @40% | £3,800 |
| Additional rate (over £125,140) | Nil | £6,000 | £2,700 @45% | £3,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on interest from £200,000 savings at 3%?
Interest earned: £6,000/year. Basic rate taxpayer (salary under £50,270): tax £1,000, net interest £5,000 — the first £1,000 is covered by your Personal Savings Allowance. Higher rate taxpayer (salary £50,270-£125,140): tax £2,200, net £3,800 (PSA is only £500). Additional rate taxpayer (salary over £125,140): no PSA, tax £2,700, net £3,300.
What is the Personal Savings Allowance for 2025-26?
The PSA allows basic rate taxpayers to earn £1,000 in savings interest tax-free per year, and higher rate taxpayers £500. Additional rate taxpayers (over £125,140) have no PSA — all interest is taxed at 45%. ISA interest is always tax-free and does not count toward the PSA.
At 3%, what balance triggers a tax bill for a basic rate taxpayer?
A basic rate taxpayer's PSA covers £1,000 of interest. At 3% interest, this is used up at a balance of £33,333. With £200,000 at 3%, your interest is £6,000, so you exceed the PSA by £5,000, which is taxed at 20%, giving a bill of £1,000.
Should I put £200,000 in an ISA or savings account?
A cash ISA pays tax-free interest regardless of your tax band. A regular savings account uses your PSA first (but at 3% on £200,000 you earn £6,000, exceeding the basic rate PSA of £1,000). If you are a higher or additional rate taxpayer, an ISA is more valuable. Basic rate taxpayers may not benefit from an ISA if interest stays within their £1,000 PSA.
Do I need to declare savings interest on £200,000 to HMRC?
If your total savings interest exceeds your Personal Savings Allowance (£1,000 basic rate / £500 higher rate / nil additional rate), you must declare the excess to HMRC. At 3% on £200,000, your interest is £6,000/year. This exceeds the basic rate PSA, so basic rate taxpayers pay tax on £5,000, and higher/additional rate taxpayers owe more. HMRC may collect this via PAYE coding or Self Assessment.
How much will £200,000 grow to in 5 years at 3%?
With compound interest at 3% per year, £200,000 grows to approximately £231,855 after 5 years and £268,783 after 10 years (before tax). Each year you earn roughly £6,000 in interest, which then compounds. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, the after-tax interest is £5,000/year, giving a net compound balance of approximately £226,282 after 5 years.