HMRC urges eligible couples to claim Marriage Allowance

HMRC has reminded married couples eligible for the Marriage Allowance to make use of the tax relief.

Over 2.1 million couples currently benefit from the Allowance, HMRC said. Married couples could save up to £252 a year, it added.

Eligible couples are those who are married or in a registered civil partnership; one spouse or partner does not pay income tax, or their income is below the Personal Allowance of £12,570; and the other spouse or partner pays income tax at the basic rate.

It is possible to backdate claims to include any tax year up to 6 April 2018, which could be worth up to £1,242 in tax relief.

Angela MacDonald, Deputy Chief Executive at HMRC, said:

'We want every eligible couple to benefit from marriage allowance tax relief. Couples whose circumstances have changed – perhaps one of them has stopped working or taken a lower paid job – may not realise they are entitled to claim.

'It's easy to find out what you may be due – search 'Marriage Allowance calculator' on GOV.UK to get started. By applying on GOV.UK rather than through a third party, you get to keep 100% of the tax relief due.'

Internet link: GOV.UK