HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is calling on spouses and civil partners to sign up for the Marriage Allowance this Valentine’s Day.
The latest research suggests that thousands of eligible couples are not claiming the tax relief which could be worth up to £252 a year.
Here’s how it works.
What is the Marriage Allowance?
The Marriage Allowance is a tax relief that lets you transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance (currently £12,570) to your husband, wife, or civil partner.
This could reduce their tax bill by up to £252 in each tax year.
Am I eligible?
To claim the relief, you must be married or in a civil partnership and one partner must normally have an income below the Personal Allowance, while the other must pay Income Tax at the basic rate – which means they usually have an income of between £12,571 and £50,270.
How much can I get?
The Marriage Allowance is worth up to £252 a year, but can be backdated to any tax year since 05 April 2017 – which means you could receive a payment of up to £1,220 if you meet the criteria for all four previous tax years.
“Financial support at a time they need it most”
Commenting on the Marriage Allowance, Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, 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.
“More than two million couples have applied for the tax relief since it was launched in 2015 but there could be thousands more who are eligible to claim.”
Get advice today
For help and advice with related matters, please get in touch with our team today.
