Millions of couples yet to claim marriage tax allowance

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed almost half of the British couples eligible to claim marriage tax allowance are yet to do so since its introduction in 2015.

The tax allowance, worth £230 a year, can be claimed by married couples and those in civil partnerships providing they meet certain conditions. Only 2.2 million of the 4.4 million eligible couples have applied for the tax saving but the UK government has now confirmed it has simplified the application process to make it easier for couples to apply.

HMRC has prepared a range of advertising campaigns designed to persuade unaware couples to apply for the Marriage Allowance.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “Applications have increased year-on-year, and the application process is easy, and families can apply at a time which is convenient for them.

"2.2 million couples across the UK are keeping more the money they earn thanks to the Marriage Allowance.”

Are you eligible for the Marriage Allowance?

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to claim for this tax allowance on earnings, make sure you read the following stipulations:

• Couples must either be married or in a civil partnership.
• One partner must be earning a minimum of £11,500 a year and paying tax at the basic rate of 20%. If they earn more than £45,000 (£43,000 in Scotland) unfortunately they are ineligible.
• The other partner must earn less than £11,500 in the 2017-18 financial year, meaning they earn below the personal allowance and pay no tax.
• If the above criteria are met, anyone not paying any tax may transfer 10% of their tax allowance to their partner, thus saving £230 in the tax year.

Note: It is possible to back-date claims for tax savings for previous financial years since 2015.

If you are keen to discover the tax allowances and reliefs available to you and your family, your local TaxAssist Accountant can help. We offer all clients tax planning reviews to ensure you only pay as much tax as you are legally obliged to.

To arrange an initial consultation with your nearest TaxAssist expert, call us today on 0116 276 3728 or drop us a line using our online enquiry form.

Date published 26 Sep 2017 | Last updated 26 Sep 2017