HMRC urges couples to claim marriage allowance

Published on 11th June 2019

HMRC has urged 700,000 couples to claim the Marriage Allowance to save tax.

Introduced in April 2015, the Marriage Allowance enables spouses to transfer a fixed amount of their personal allowance (PA) to their partner. The option is available to couples where neither pays tax at the higher or additional rate. If eligible, one partner can transfer 10% of their PA to the other. In 2019/20, taxpayers can transfer £1,250 (compared to £1,190 for the 2018/19 tax year).

For those couples where one person does not use all their PA, the benefit will be up to £250 in 2019/20 (20% of £1,250).

Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, commented: ‘It is encouraging to see so many people taking advantage of the tax relief.

‘Married couples who are yet to sign up for this great scheme – you too can benefit – it is quick to register, and any back-dated allowances will be paid as a lump sum.’ To qualify for the Marriage Allowance, the higher earning partner must pay tax at the basic rate (in Scotland that includes the starter, basic or intermediate rate).