Skip to main content What is interest?
Definition of interest
Interest is extra money that is earned on savings, and extra money that has to be paid on certain debts.
Banks will pay interest to people who've saved money with them. They will also charge interest on money that's owed to them, such as on loans, overdrafts and mortgages.
Interest may also be charged by businesses to customers who owe them money and have taken longer than they should to pay.
Interest is usually quoted as x% per year or per month.
If interest paid to you is taxable income, it must be declared to HMRC on the Self Assessment tax return for the relevant year. Some interest however, such as interest earned on tax-free ISAs, is tax-free income and does not need to be declared.
Example of interest:
Tanya opens a savings account which pays 4% interest per year. She puts in £5,000 and does not touch it. By the end of the year Tanya will have earned:
£5,000 x 4% = £200 in interest.
Brian takes out a loan for £10,000 which charges 5% interest per month. At the end of each month, Brian will owe:
£10,000 x 5% = £100 in interest.
Disclaimer: The content included in this glossary is based on our understanding of tax law at the time of publication. It may be subject to change and may not be applicable to your circumstances, so should not be relied upon. You are responsible for complying with tax law and should seek independent advice if you require further information about the content included in this glossary. If you don't have an accountant, take a look at our directory to find a FreeAgent Practice Partner based in your local area.