The spelling of "Tax Exempt Special Savings Account" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). /tæks/ represents the 'tax' sound, /ɛksɛmpt/ indicates 'exempt', /ˈspɛʃəl/ enunciates 'special', while /ˈseɪvɪŋz/ and /əˈkaʊnt/ represent 'savings' and 'account' respectively. Simply spelled it is T-A-X E-X-E-M-P-T S-P-E-C-I-A-L S-A-V-I-N-G-S A-C-C-O-U-N-T but when broken down with the IPA, the spelling becomes a little more comprehensive.
A Tax Exempt Special Savings Account, commonly known as TESSA, is a type of savings account that offers tax advantages to individual investors. These accounts were introduced in the United Kingdom in the 1990s as a government initiative to encourage savings and provide individuals with a tax-free income stream.
TESSAs allow individuals to deposit a fixed amount of money each month for a specific period, usually five years. These accounts are often offered by banks and building societies and are subject to certain terms and conditions. The interest that accrues on the deposits is tax-free, meaning that any income earned from the account is not liable for income tax.
At the end of the fixed term, TESSA account holders have the option to either withdraw the funds or transfer them to a different savings or investment account. If the funds are withdrawn, account holders can utilize the proceeds as they wish, without any tax implications.
While TESSAs are no longer available for new subscriptions, they remain an important part of financial history in the United Kingdom. The introduction of these accounts paved the way for other tax-advantaged savings and investment products, such as Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), which continue to be popular among UK investors.