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ISA Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ISA?

A savings ISA is a tax free savings account. Unlike normal savings accounts, tax will not be deducted from your interest. This is not the case with an ordinary Newcastle Building Society account (unless of course you are a non tax payer).

You can only invest a set amount each tax year.

Why should I take out an ISA?

Everyone in the UK is given a tax free savings allowance each year. In order to take advantage of this you must take out an ISA savings account. You can earn more savings interest with an ISA Account because you won't pay tax.

Who can provide an ISA?

ISA's can only be provided by authorised ISA Managers. Newcastle Building Society has obtained the relevant authorisation and we offer a range of cash ISAs. As an ISA Manager, Newcastle Building Society would be responsible for ensuring your ISA account complies with, and is operated in accordance with, the Terms and Conditions specified by HM Revenue and Customs.

In the case of stocks and shares ISAs, we will refer you to Newcastle Financial Services Ltd (NFSL) who are authorised to advise you on a range of stocks and shares ISAs.

How many types of ISA are available and how much can I invest in each?

There are two types of ISA saving account:

• Stocks and Shares ISAs

  Otherwise known as equity ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs allow you to invest up to £7,200 each tax year.

• Cash ISAs

  A cash ISA allows you to invest up to £3,600 each tax year.

Can I open both a stocks and shares ISA and a cash ISA?

Yes, as long as you do not exceed the £7,200 tax free savings limit. You can not subscribe to more than one cash ISA or more than one stocks and shares ISA in the same tax year.

Can I transfer my ISA savings?

You can transfer your current year subscriptions from a cash ISA to another cash ISA or to a stocks and shares ISA. If you transfer your cash ISA funds into a stocks and shares ISA, they are then treated as if they were made to the stocks and shares ISA, allowing you to subscribe to a cash ISA following the transfer.

Who can tell me about ISAs?

Individual Savings Account Managers will give you details of the ISAs they offer and some may be able to provide advice. Any of the Newcastle's staff will be able to explain our products. If you wish to invest in more than one of the ISA components then an independent financial adviser can help in choosing the right option for you.

How much do I have to invest in my ISA savings account?

You can save as little as you like in a Newcastle Building Society cash ISA. The initial investment amount may vary depending upon which ISA savings account you choose. During any tax year, the maximum amount you can save in a cash ISA is £3,600. Limits are subject to legislation which may change in the future.

Can I open an ISA?

To open a stocks and shares ISA you have to be aged 18 or over, however you can open a cash ISA from the age of 16. You also have to be a resident of the United Kingdom and in most cases you will be required to be living in the UK. It is important that you ask your Tax Office if you are in any doubt about your residential status.

If you are a crown employee, such as a diplomat or a member of the armed forces, who are working overseas and paid by the government then you are eligible to open an ISA.

You cannot open an ISA if you are a non UK resident.

Can I open a joint ISA?

No, you cannot hold an ISA jointly with or on behalf of anyone else.

What are Stakeholder Standards?

The Stakeholder standards for products is designed to give investors greater clarity about the range of products available. It was thought that many investors were put off investing by the complexity of the market and the nature of the regulatory system. Stakeholder products are designed to address these concerns.

There are certain criteria which must be met to allow an ISA to be classed as a Stakeholder product.

These are:

• The minimum amount the account holder can deposit on a single occasion is £10
• We accept payment to the account by a number of means including cash, cheque and standing orders
• Interest accrues on a daily basis at a rate not more than 1% below the Bank of England base rate
• We must pay any cash or interest held in the account to the holder within 7 days on receipt of an instruction from the account holder
• No limit to amount of withdrawals customer can request.

Can I transfer my ISA savings account to or from another institution?

The legislation allows for an individual to transfer from one ISA to another, providing the ISA Managers allow transfers. Clarification should always be sought before proceeding.

Newcastle Building Society does not charge an administration fee if a customer wishes to transfer their ISA to or from the Society. Under the legislation we are obliged to complete the transfer within 30 days of receipt of the original notification.

Do I have to invest with the same ISA Manager each year?

No. There is no requirement to use the same ISA Manager each year. Providing you only subscribe to one ISA component in each tax year you are able to open an ISA each tax year with a different institution. For example you could open a cash ISA with your bank in one tax year and open a cash ISA with Newcastle Building Society in another tax year.

What period does the tax year cover?

The tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April the following year.

What happens if I pay into too many ISAs?

HM Revenue and Customs will monitor ISA returns provided by all financial institutions to ensure the one ISA per tax year rule is strictly enforced.

ISA customer acceptance forms contain a declaration that you will not invest into another ISA of the same component within a given tax year. If you do mistakenly invest within two ISAs in any given tax year then the matter will be handled by HM Revenue and Customs. As a general rule one of the ISAs will have to be 'voided', and no benefit will be derived as a result of opening the second ISA.

What happens if I'm physically unable to sign the forms?

An application by someone acting under a Power of Attorney may be accepted where the investor is physically incapable of making the application. Under these circumstances the Society would require:

• The Power of Attorney
• A written declaration from the attorney confirming that the investor is physically incapable of making the application. This should be attached to the application form as HM Revenue and Customs may require sight of this declaration.

Can I invest funds on behalf of someone who is mentally incapable of handling their own affairs?

The Society can accept applications made by either:

• An attorney appointed for a person who is mentally incapacitated (The Enduring Power of Attorney should have been registered by the Court of Protection, or stamped by the Public Trust Office).
• A receiver appointed by the Court of Protection for someone who is mentally incapacitated. (the document of appointment must be produced).