Married couples and civil partners across the UK are being urged to take a moment to check if they are eligible for Marriage Allowance, a tax relief that could save them up to £252 annually.
HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC) is advocating for couples to invest just 30 seconds of their time to determine if they qualify for Marriage Allowance, which allows the lower-earning partner to reduce their partner’s tax bill.
Here’s how it works: Most individuals have a Personal Allowance of £12,570, which is the amount of income they can earn before paying tax. Marriage Allowance enables the lower earner to transfer £1,260 of their Personal Allowance to their spouse or civil partner. This transfer can result in a tax reduction of up to £252 per year.
Furthermore, eligible couples can backdate their claim for the previous 4 tax years, potentially receiving a lump-sum payment exceeding £1,000.
To be eligible for Marriage Allowance, one partner must have an income below £12,570, while the other partner’s income must fall between £12,571 and £50,270 (£43,662 in Scotland).
Couples who may not realize they are eligible include those where one partner is working and the other has income below the personal allowance threshold. This encompasses retirees, individuals caring for children or elderly relatives, those unable to work due to health conditions, part-time workers, and those in low-paid jobs.
HMRC provides an online Marriage Allowance calculator for couples to quickly determine their eligibility for this tax relief.
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, emphasized the simplicity and financial benefit of claiming Marriage Allowance. She stated, “Check today and claim right away. It’s a quick and easy process that’s worth up to £252 a year.”
Charlie Bethel, Chief Officer of UK Men’s Sheds, echoed the sentiment, particularly emphasizing the importance for retired individuals to explore their eligibility for Marriage Allowance.
Bethel stated, “As a charity that brings retired men together, we are urging our members throughout the UK to invest the 30 seconds of time it takes to find out if they can claim.”
For more information on Marriage Allowance, individuals can visit GOV.UK and search for “Marriage Allowance.”
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