Lovebirds Could Pocket Extra Cash This Valentine’s Day Thanks to HMRC
Married couples and civil partners, listen up! HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging lovebirds to claim the Marriage Allowance and slash their tax bills this Valentine’s Day.
What Is Marriage Allowance?
Marriage Allowance lets couples transfer 10% of the Personal Allowance from one partner earning less than £12,570 to the other who pays basic rate tax. In 2021/22, that means up to £1,260 can be shared, cutting tax bills by as much as £252 annually.
Couples can apply anytime and even backdate claims for up to four years, potentially landing a tidy £1,220 lump sum just when money’s tightest.
Who Can Benefit?
- Newlyweds or recently civil partnered couples
- One partner retired while the other is still working
- Changed job or working hours due to COVID-19
- Unpaid leave or career breaks
- Partners studying or earning below the Personal Allowance
- Surviving spouse of a partner who passed since April 2017
Money That Could Help With Bills
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Exec, said:
“Couples could be sitting on a tax relief worth up to £1,220 that could provide vital financial support at a time they need it most. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply search ‘Marriage Allowance’ on GOV.UK.”
More than two million couples have already claimed since 2015, but thousands more still qualify and aren’t claiming their cash.
Quick and Free to Apply
Applying is free and simple via HMRC’s online portal, guaranteeing you get all the relief you deserve. The claim renews automatically every year—just make sure to update HMRC if your circumstances change.
For full details and to apply, visit GOV.UK Marriage Allowance.
Quick Facts
Tax Year Marriage Allowance Amount 2021/22 £252 2020/21 £250 2019/20 £250 2018/19 £238 2017/18 £230
