How do I claim Marriage Allowance?
Marriage Allowance lets you transfer some of your unused Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner if they earn more than you. The lower earner must normally pay no tax, and the higher earner must be a basic-rate taxpayer. It is free to apply through HMRC and reduces the couple’s overall tax bill.
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Check what you're owed →Marriage Allowance is one of the most commonly missed reliefs in the UK because it only helps couples in a specific situation, and many people assume they would not qualify. The idea is simple: if one partner does not use all of their tax-free Personal Allowance, they can move a fixed slice of it to the partner who pays tax, so less of that partner’s income is taxed.
You apply once and the allowance usually carries forward automatically each year until your circumstances change, so you do not have to reapply every April. If your income changes — for example the lower earner starts paying tax, or the higher earner moves into the higher-rate band — you should tell HMRC, because the claim may no longer be the right call.
The person who gives up part of their allowance is the one who makes the application, and you will need both partners’ National Insurance numbers and a way to prove identity. It is always worth a quick check of whether you qualify alongside any other reliefs you might be due, as small unclaimed allowances add up over the years.
How to claim Marriage Allowance
- Check you both qualify. Confirm one partner pays no Income Tax and the other is a basic-rate taxpayer, and that you are married or in a civil partnership.
- Gather your details. Have both National Insurance numbers ready, plus a form of ID for the lower earner such as a passport or recent payslip details.
- Apply through HMRC. Use the official Marriage Allowance service on GOV.UK. The lower earner submits the application and nominates the partner who receives the allowance.
- Check your tax code changes. After the claim is processed, both partners’ tax codes are updated. Keep an eye on your payslips to confirm the change has taken effect.
Key figures (official sources)
- £1,260Personal Allowance transferable under Marriage AllowanceSource: GOV.UK — Marriage Allowance (checked 2026-06-28)
- up to £252 a yearTax a couple can save with Marriage AllowanceSource: GOV.UK — Marriage Allowance (checked 2026-06-28)
- £12,570Standard tax-free Personal AllowanceThe amount you can earn before paying Income Tax; reduced if income is over £100,000.Source: GOV.UK — Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances (checked 2026-06-28)
Frequently asked questions
- Who applies — the higher or lower earner?
- The lower-earning partner makes the application, because they are the one transferring part of their unused Personal Allowance to the higher earner.
- Does it cost anything to claim?
- No. You apply directly through HMRC for free. Be wary of any third party that offers to claim it for you in exchange for a cut of the refund.
- Do we have to be married?
- You must be married or in a civil partnership. Simply living together does not qualify, however long you have been a couple.
- What happens if our income changes?
- Tell HMRC if either partner’s income shifts. If the lower earner starts paying tax or the higher earner moves out of the basic-rate band, the claim may no longer benefit you.
MoneyFinder is an independent sign-posting service that helps you find financial support you may be entitled to. We are not a government body and do not provide financial advice. Figures are taken from the official sources cited above and were correct when last checked — always confirm current details on the linked GOV.UK pages.