In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to let potential savings slip through the cracks. But what if we told you that you and your partner could be missing out on a tax break worth £252 every year? It’s not a scam or a complex financial scheme—it’s the UK’s Marriage Allowance, and claiming it is simpler than you might think.
Let’s break down what it is, who qualifies, and how you can get this money back into your pocket.
What Exactly is the Marriage Allowance?
The Marriage Allowance is a UK government tax perk that allows a spouse or civil partner to transfer a portion of their Personal Allowance to their partner.
Every individual in the UK gets a Personal Allowance—an amount of income you can earn each year without paying any tax. For the 2024/25 tax year, this is set at £12,570.
The Marriage Allowance lets the lower-earning partner transfer £1,260 of their unused Personal Allowance to the higher-earning partner. This reduces the higher earner’s tax bill by up to £252 in the current tax year.
Who Qualifies? The Golden Rules
You can apply for Marriage Allowance if all the following statements apply:
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You are married or in a civil partnership.
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Your income is £12,570 or less. (This is you, the person transferring the allowance).
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Your partner’s income is between £12,571 and £50,270 (or £43,662 in Scotland).
Crucially, you must both have been born on or after 6 April 1935.
A Quick Example:
Sarah earns £11,000 a year as a part-time teaching assistant.
Mark earns £45,000 a year as an IT manager.
Sarah isn’t using all of her £12,570 tax-free allowance. She can transfer £1,260 of it to Mark. This reduces the amount of Mark’s income that is taxed at the 20% basic rate, saving them £252 (£1,260 x 20%) for the tax year.
Backdate Your Claim and Potentially Get Over £1,000
Here’s the part that really gets people excited: you can backdate your claim for up to four previous tax years—as long as you met the eligibility criteria during those years.
The allowance amount was slightly lower in previous years, but the savings are still significant. If you successfully backdate your claim to include the 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24 tax years, as well as the current one, you could receive a total lump sum of over £1,250.
| Tax Year | Allowance Transfer | Annual Saving | Total Over 4 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 to 2023/24 | £1,260 | £252 | £1,008 |
| 2024/25 (Current) | £1,260 | £252 | £252 |
| Potential Total | £1,260 |
How to Apply: It’s a 5-Minute Job
The best part? The process is quick, free, and straightforward. The lower earner should make the application online via the GOV.UK website. You’ll need both of your National Insurance numbers and a form of ID (like a P60 or passport).
The application takes about five minutes. Once approved, the change will happen automatically each year until you cancel it or your circumstances change.
⚠️ Important: Be wary of copycat websites that charge a fee to process your application. The only official site is GOV.UK. The service is completely free when you apply there.
What If Our Circumstances Change?
If your income situation changes—for example, the lower earner starts a new job and their income rises above the threshold—you must contact HMRC to cancel the allowance. Don’t worry, you won’t be penalised for the period it was active while you were eligible.
The Bottom Line
The Marriage Allowance is a classic case of “if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” It’s a simple, legitimate government policy designed to support couples, yet an estimated 2 million eligible pairs are missing out.
It’s not life-changing money, but £252 extra per year could pay for:
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A weekend getaway.
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Several nice meals out.
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A chunk of your energy bills.
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Or simply pad your savings.
So, why not talk to your partner about it tonight? A five-minute conversation could be the start of putting an extra £252 back in your family’s pocket, year after year.