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Junior ISAs

Compare Junior ISAs

Junior ISAs became available on 1st November 2011 offering a new tax-free way of saving for your child's future.

Since the closure of the government backed Child Trust Fund there had been little choice when it came to saving for your child's future. Junior ISAs now offer a tax-free alternative.

Save tax-free for your child

You can save up to £3,720 tax-free in a Junior ISA in each tax year and the money will only be accessible after the child turns 18.

JISAs are available to anyone under the age of 18 who did not qualify for a Child Trust Fund. So any child born on or after the 3rd January 2011 or before 1st September 2002 is eligible for a Junior ISA.

Junior ISAs


Junior ISA FAQs

  • Do children have to pay tax on savings?
    Answer: You may have heard that children don’t pay tax, but in fact they’re taxed at the same rate as adults- it’s just that most children don’t earn over the taxable threshold. They’ll also pay tax if they earn over £100 interest on money given to them by a parent or step-parent.
  • Can all children get a Junior ISA?
    Answer: No. If your child was eligible for a Child Trust Fund- I.e. they were born between September 2002 and January 2011 they won’t be able to open an account.
  • What happens to the account when the child grows up?
    Answer: When the child turns 16, they’re still not able to access the cash but they can begin managing the account if they want to. When they turn 18, the account will automatically become an adult ISA.

Understanding Savings Accounts

What is a Junior ISA?

Junior ISAs are long term, tax free savings accounts for children up to the age of 18 years old. Unlike normal ISAs, the money in a Junior ISA cannot be taken out until the child reaches the age of 18.

Any child who is under the age of 18, lives in the UK and is not entitled to a Child Trust Fund can save in a Junior ISA.

Any parent or legal guardian can open an account on behalf of their child. Once open, there are no exclusions on who can contribute to the ISA, so anyone from grandparents, aunties or friends can add money into the fund on the child’s behalf. Children aged 16 or over could also open an adult cash ISA at the same time as having a Junior ISA, meaning they can save even more tax-free. An adult will be responsible for managing the account until the child turns 16 when they can choose to manage the account themselves if they want to.

You can save up to £3,720 each tax year in a junior ISA. Unlike adult ISAs, however, where you’re limited to half the amount in cash, you can choose to save as much as you like in cash.