Make Sure You’re Using the Married Couples Allowance
A simple tax break that many couples miss
When it comes to personal finances, it’s often the small, simple things that get overlooked. One of the most common examples is the Marriage Allowance — a straightforward tax break that can save married couples and civil partners up to £252 a year.
It might not sound like life-changing money, but over a decade that’s more than £2,500 — and all you have to do is fill in a quick form.
How does it work?
The Marriage Allowance lets one partner transfer part of their tax-free Personal Allowance (the amount you can earn before paying income tax) to the other.
Here’s the key:
- It only works if one partner is a basic rate taxpayer (earning between £12,571 and £50,270) based on tax year 2025/26, and
- The other partner earns less than the Personal Allowance threshold (currently £12,570) based on tax year 2025/26.
By transferring 10% of the lower earner’s allowance, the higher earner pays less tax. It’s that simple.
A quick example
Let’s say:
- Emma earns £10,000 a year (below the tax-free threshold of £12,570 based on tax year 2025/26).
- James earns £35,000 a year (a basic rate taxpayer, earning between £12,571 and £50,270, based on tax year 2025/26).
Emma doesn’t need her full Personal Allowance, so she can transfer 10% of it — £1,260 — to James.
This means James pays tax on £1,260 less of his income, cutting his tax bill by up to £252 for the year.
If they hadn’t claimed, they’d simply miss out on that saving. And if they backdate for the last four years, they could receive over £1,000 back in tax refunds.
Why it matters
Many couples assume tax is something they can’t influence. But Marriage Allowance shows how small tweaks can add up. It’s a reminder that smart planning isn’t always about complex investments or big decisions — sometimes it’s about making sure you claim what you’re entitled to.
Practical takeaways
- Check your eligibility: If one of you earns below £12,570 and the other is a basic rate taxpayer, you’re likely able to claim.
- Claim online: Applications are done through HMRC and usually take just a few minutes.
- Look back: If you missed out in past years, make sure you backdate your claim.
- Keep reviewing: Your circumstances can change, so it’s worth revisiting this each tax year.
Final thought
Tax planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s about knowing the small allowances that are hiding in plain sight. Marriage Allowance is a perfect example — a quick win that can put hundreds of pounds back in your pocket each year.
If you’d like to explore other simple, legal ways to keep more of your hard-earned money, I’d be glad to help. The right advice can often uncover opportunities you didn’t even know you were missing.
Taxation is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Corcillium Wealth Management is a trading name of 2plan wealth management Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is entered on the FCA register (www.fca.org.uk ) under reference 461598. Registered office: 2plan wealth management Ltd, 3rd Floor, Bridgewater Place, Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5BZ. Registered in England and Wales Number: 05998270
Approved by 2Plan Wealth Management Ltd on 27/01/2026