Millions of UK Couples Missing Out on £1,260 in Tax Relief – How to Apply Before April 5

Finance expert Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to nearly two million couples in the UK who may be missing out on a £1,260 tax break. With the April 5, 2025, deadline fast approaching, eligible married couples and civil partners must act now to claim their entitlement under the Marriage Allowance scheme before it’s too late.

This tax benefit, which has been available since 2015, allows couples to transfer a portion of their personal tax allowance to a higher-earning spouse, reducing their tax liability. However, many eligible couples are unaware of this hidden financial benefit, leaving millions of pounds unclaimed each year.

What is the Marriage Allowance?

The Marriage Allowance is a government tax benefit that allows one partner in a marriage or civil partnership to transfer 10% of their personal tax-free allowance to their spouse, reducing their overall tax bill.

For the tax year 2024/2025, the personal allowance is £12,570, meaning that the lower-earning partner can transfer £1,260 of their allowance to their spouse. This results in an annual tax saving of up to £252 for the higher-earning partner.

Total Amount You Could Claim

The government allows couples to backdate their claims for up to four years, meaning that those who haven’t claimed before could receive a lump sum of up to £1,260 if they apply before April 5, 2025.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the Marriage Allowance, couples must meet the following criteria:

✅ You must be married or in a civil partnership. (Unmarried couples are not eligible.)
✅ One partner must be a non-taxpayer (earning below the £12,570 personal allowance threshold).
✅ The other partner must be a basic-rate taxpayer (earning between £12,571 and £50,270 per year in England, or £43,662 in Scotland).
✅ Higher-rate taxpayers (earning over £50,270) are NOT eligible for this allowance.

Example of How It Works

• Sarah earns £10,000 per year (below the £12,570 personal allowance threshold), meaning she doesn’t pay income tax.
• Her husband, Mark, earns £30,000 per year, meaning he is a basic-rate taxpayer (20%).
• Sarah transfers £1,260 of her personal allowance to Mark, reducing his taxable income.
• As a result, Mark pays £252 less in income tax per year.
• If they backdate the claim for four years, they could receive a lump sum of £1,260.

For more information on eligibility, visit HMRC – Marriage Allowance Guide.

How to Apply for the Marriage Allowance

Applying for the Marriage Allowance is straightforward and can be done online in a few simple steps.

Steps to Apply Online:

1️⃣ Visit the Official Government Website: Apply directly on GOV.UK.
2️⃣ Provide Personal Details: You will need both partners’ National Insurance numbers.
3️⃣ Verify Identity: The applicant (the lower earner) may need to provide proof of identity using their P60, passport, or recent payslip.
4️⃣ Receive Confirmation: Once approved, the tax reduction is applied automatically to the higher-earning partner’s tax code.

Alternatively, you can apply by calling HMRC on 0300 200 3300.

Why You Should Act Now – April 5, 2025, Deadline

The deadline to backdate Marriage Allowance claims for the 2019/2020 tax year is April 5, 2025. If couples miss this deadline, they lose the opportunity to claim for that year, reducing their potential refund.

If you don’t act now, you could be missing out on £252 for 2019/2020 alone, and up to £1,260 in total if you backdate for four years.

Martin Lewis’s Warning and Expert Advice

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, has consistently urged couples to check their eligibility and apply before the deadline. He states:

“It takes just a few minutes to apply online, and you could be owed up to £1,260. There’s no reason not to check if you’re eligible.”

His financial team also warns that many people believe tax benefits like these are automatically applied, but they are not—couples must apply themselves to claim their money.

For more financial advice from Martin Lewis, visit MoneySavingExpert.

Conclusion

With the April 5, 2025, deadline fast approaching, millions of UK couples could be at risk of missing out on up to £1,260 in tax relief.

By checking your eligibility and applying today, you can reduce your tax bill, claim backdated payments, and receive a lump sum refund.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.