Marriage Allowance — The Tax Break Most Couples Miss

The Marriage Allowance lets a lower-earning spouse or civil partner transfer £1,260 of their personal allowance to their partner. This reduces the higher earner's tax bill by up to £252 per year.

Who qualifies

  • You must be married or in a civil partnership
  • The lower earner must earn below the personal allowance (£12,570 in 2024/25)
  • The higher earner must be a basic rate taxpayer (earnings between £12,571 and £50,270)

How to claim

Claim online at gov.uk/apply-marriage-allowance. You can backdate a claim up to 4 years. If the lower earner does not pay tax, this is free money for the household.

This is general information. Tax rules change — check gov.uk for current figures.

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