Just received lump sum from endowment policy maturing - do I need to pay tax on it?

[SuburbanRhonda]

Just that really.

I don't pay tax at the moment because I work part-time, term-time only and earn less than £10,000. Lump sum is £17k.

Do I need to declare this lump sum as income and pay tax on it? Have just spent 45 minutes on the phone to the HMRC and lost the will to live.

Anyone?

If he endowment had run its course then it's tax free. If it was part the way through then you might.

Yay, thanks pizza.

It had run its course (25 years!)