£5,000 Savings at 3.5% — Tax on Interest 2025-26
Annual interest earned: £175 · Personal Savings Allowance applied
Tax breakdown — £5,000 savings at 3.5%
| Taxpayer band | PSA | Taxable interest | Tax owed | Net interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic rate (salary ≤ £50,270) | £1,000 | £0 | £0 @20% | £175 |
| Higher rate (£50,270–£125,140) | £500 | £0 | £0 @40% | £175 |
| Additional rate (over £125,140) | Nil | £175 | £79 @45% | £96 |
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on interest from £5,000 savings at 3.5%?
Interest earned: £175/year. Basic rate taxpayer (salary under £50,270): tax £0, net interest £175 — the first £1,000 is covered by your Personal Savings Allowance. Higher rate taxpayer (salary £50,270-£125,140): tax £0, net £175 (PSA is only £500). Additional rate taxpayer (salary over £125,140): no PSA, tax £79, net £96.
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 3.5%, what balance triggers a tax bill for a basic rate taxpayer?
A basic rate taxpayer's PSA covers £1,000 of interest. At 3.5% interest, this is used up at a balance of £28,571. With £5,000 at 3.5%, your interest is £175, so you are fully within the PSA and pay no tax on this interest.
Should I put £5,000 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 (which fully covers your £175 interest at 3.5%). 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 £5,000 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 3.5% on £5,000, your interest is £175/year. This is within even the higher rate PSA of £500, so no declaration is needed for most taxpayers.
How much will £5,000 grow to in 5 years at 3.5%?
With compound interest at 3.5% per year, £5,000 grows to approximately £5,938 after 5 years and £7,053 after 10 years (before tax). Each year you earn roughly £175 in interest, which then compounds. If you are a basic rate taxpayer, the after-tax interest is £175/year, giving a net compound balance of approximately £5,938 after 5 years.