More than a third of investors leave their ISA investment until the end of the tax year, according to a recent poll by Fair Investment Company.

According to the research, 36 per cent of Fair Investment Company investors choose to make a lump sum ISA investment at the end of the financial year.

In light of the research, the firm is reminding investors of the fact that the financial year effectively ends four days early this year because of Easter, and not to leave it too late.

“This research reveals that people really do leave it until the last minute when it comes to ISA investment,” warns Fair Investment Company’s Rebecca Sargent. She continues, “this is why it is so important that people are aware of the fact that the ISA deadline is early this year.”

Due to the fact that the last day of the financial year (April 5th) is Easter Monday, for most providers, the actual end of the tax year is the last working day before that, which is April 1st.

Some providers are making provisions for the early deadline, for example, Fair Investment will be accepting stocks and shares ISA applications through its funds service up until 11.50pm on April 5th, as will Chelsea and Bestinvest, Hargreaves Lansdown and Alliance Trust Savings.

Alliance Trust Savings will also be opening its Dundee headquarters on Good Friday and Easter Monday to accept ISA subscriptions right up to the deadline.

“We are offering customers the flexibility to subscribe, in a way that suits them – be it online, in person or over the phone,” said spokesman Iain Horn.

But despite the fact that many providers are allowing customers to apply right up until April 5th, the message is clear – use your allowance sooner rather than later.

Annabel Brodie-Smith from the Association of Investment Companies said; “Investors need to act fast if they want to use this year’s ISA allowance.  Time is running out for many postal applications with deadlines falling before the 5 April,” while Steve Reid, retail director, Clydesdale Bank warned, “if you haven’t already done so the opportunity to invest in an ISA this year is that little bit less.

“The ISA allowance isn’t flexible so beat the deadline and pay less tax,” he said.