General investing with ii
Our Trading Account is ideal if you are looking for a low-cost general investment account.
Important information: As investment values can go down as well as up, you may not get back all the money you invest. Currency changes affect international investments, and this can decrease their value in sterling. If you’re unsure if an investment account is right for you, please speak to an authorised financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. Please note images displayed are for illustrative purposes only.
Investing should feel rewarding
Start investing with ii and give your savings more time to grow this summer.
Enjoy £100 towards your trading fees when you open an ii Trading Account. See more details on this offer.
Offer ends 31 July 2026. New customers only. Terms and fees apply.
What is a general investment account?
A general investment account (GIA) is a flexible way of investing as they can provide uncapped investment options. You can trade UK and international shares, funds, investment trusts, ETFs, bonds, and more.
There are no limits on how much you can invest in a general investment account, so they may be suitable for people who have used up their ISA annual allowance.
The ii Trading Account could be ideal for you if you’re looking to open a general investment account. You’ll have access to one of the widest ranges of investment options in the market for a low, flat monthly fee.
Why choose an ii Trading Account?
- Low, flat fees - could save you money and help you achieve your goals sooner
- More opportunities - choose from one of the widest range of investments on the market
- You're in control - check on your investments any time, anywhere with our secure mobile app
- We've got your back - our UK-based team is rated 'excellent' on Trustpilot
- Learn from the best - impartial information from our analysts, including selected funds, ready-made portfolios, and our award-winning newsletters
Can I transfer an existing general investment account to ii?
You can transfer an existing general investment account to an ii Trading Account. You'll need to have opened a Trading Account before you can start your transfer.
Opening a Trading Account with ii also gives you access to a Stocks & Shares ISA and Personal Pension (SIPP) at no extra cost. And on our Plus and Premium plans, you can also open as many Junior ISAs as you have children.
You can either choose to transfer your existing investments (“in-specie” transfer) or to transfer in cash.
How much can I invest in a general investment account?
A general investment account is especially useful if you have used up your ISA and pensions allowances as there's no limit to the amount you can invest.
In contrast, the annual allowance for ISA contributions is £20,000. There's also an annual allowance for pension contributions which is dependent on your income.
Do I pay tax on dividends or gains in my general investment account?
Yes, dividends and investment gains are liable for tax in a trading account or a general investment account.
You have tax-free annual allowances for income earned from dividends and investment gains. The dividends and investment gains you earn from general investing count towards these allowances. Any money over the allowance is taxed.
In contrast, money you earn from dividends and investment gains in an ISA or a pension is tax-free and doesn't count towards the allowance.
Currently, you can earn £500 in tax-free dividend income in a tax year. Any dividend income over £500 is taxed depending on your tax rate. Basic-rate taxpayers pay 10.75%, higher-rate taxpayers pay 35.75%, and additional-rate taxpayers pay 39.35%.
Investment gains in general investment accounts are subject to Capital Gains Tax. Each year, you can make £3,000 of profit on your investments without paying tax. For any gains you make over £3,000 in a tax year, you'll pay 10% tax if you're a basic-rate taxpayer and 20% tax if you are a higher-rate taxpayer.
General investment account vs Stocks & Shares ISA
You can invest in a wide range of investment options in both general investment accounts and Stocks & Shares ISAs. The main difference between the two is that ISAs are tax-efficient, but general investment accounts don’t have limits on how much you can invest.
Stocks & Shares ISA benefits:
- Invest up to £20,000 per tax year
- Pay no tax on investment profit, interest, and dividend income
- Doesn't have to be declared on your tax return
General investing benefits:
- No limits on how much you can invest
- You may have to pay tax on investment profit, interest, and dividend income
For a deeper dive into the differences, read GIA vs ISA: How should you invest?
Can I open a joint general investment account?
You can open an ii Joint Trading Account if you're looking to open a joint general investment account. Our Joint Trading Account allows you to trade our full range of investment options, including shares, funds, investment trusts, and ETFs.
Please note: a Joint Trading Account is only available on our Plus plan.
General investing FAQs
If you're 18 or over and a UK tax resident, you can open a general investment account.
Yes, you can withdraw money from a general investment account whenever you choose to.
To withdraw money from your ii Trading Account, log in to your online account and select 'Cash' in the navigation bar at the top of the page. Select 'Move cash', then 'Withdraw cash'. Follow the on-screen instructions to withdraw your money.
Yes, you can hold cash in a general investment account. However, you won't receive interest on your cash in most general investment accounts.
While it's often a good idea to keep a small cash balance to pay for any fees and charges, it may be better to hold your cash in a savings account or cash ISA.
You can transfer cash and investments from a general investment account to an ISA, but the transfer will count towards your £20,000 ISA annual allowance.
To transfer investments you will have to make a Bed & ISA transfer. This is where your investments are sold in your GIA, transferred in cash, and then repurchased in your ISA account.
Please note that trading fees may apply to your transfer. Also, you may not be able to repurchase the same number of shares that you had in GIA.
You can build an ethical investment portfolio in a general investment account by choosing investments which match your values and investment goals.
If you need help choosing your investments, you can use our Highly Rated Funds tool.
Helping you find your next investment
Take a look at our recommended investment lists and options to inspire your next move.
Highly Rated Funds
The Highly rated funds tool is a selection of funds, investment trusts and ETFs that hold strong analyst ratings from our Data provider, Morningstar.
Quick-start Funds
Get off the mark quickly, with one of these low-cost, multi-asset funds. A simple way to help you start investing.
Aberdeen funds and trusts
Take a look at the Aberdeen funds and investment trusts available on the ii platform.
