The Marriage Allowance explained

Under Government roadmap guidelines, wedding ceremonies and receptions have been allowed to resume since 12th April. The hope is that things will return to “normal” from June 21st if Coronavirus restrictions are lifted as planned. (Subject to change depending on latest COVID-19 data)

This means there will be a backlog of rescheduled nuptials taking place. So it’s a good time to look into the Marriage Allowance and it’s benefits.

How to make this tax break work for you

Millions of married couples and civil partners in the UK are eligible for the Marriage Allowance. But take-up has remained subdued since the tax break came into force on 6 April 2015.

Almost half of the UK’s eligible couples failed to claim their slice of £1.3 billion in Marriage Allowance cash in 2016/17. Many couples are either unaware of the tax break or simply forget to claim it.

More than four million married couples and 15,000 civil partners could claim a tax break worth up to £252 in 2021/22. but how do you go about it?

Marriage Allowance entitlement

The allowance is designed for couples where one partner pays the basic rate of income tax and the other is a non-taxpayer. Whichever person doesn’t pay tax can choose to reduce their personal allowance by £1,260 in 2020/21. They can then transfer it to their husband, wife or civil partner.

It’s possible for the taxpaying spouse or civil partner to increase their tax-free personal allowance to £13,830 in 2021/22.

You may benefit from the marriage allowance if:

• Your spouse or civil partner has elected to reduce their personal allowance for the tax year and transfer it to you
• You are a basic rate taxpayer in 2021/22
• You meet the residence requirements and have the right to claim a personal allowance
• Neither you nor your partner submits a claim to the Married Couple’s Allowance (MCA) in 2021/22

You can only benefit from one tax reduction in any tax year

Elderly exclusion

You may have noticed the exclusion of the MCA for elderly taxpayers in the list above. Although this is only available to people born before 5 April 1935. Where both the marriage allowance and the MCA are available, it is usually preferable to claim the MCA.

The MCA provides a potential tax deduction of between £353 and £912.50 a year. The maximum benefit from the transfer of the Marriage Allowance in 2021/22 is restricted to £252.

Personal allowance

As long as you’re married or in a civil partnership with the same person for the whole or part of the tax year at the time the claim is made, you can choose to reduce your personal allowance.

You must also only be liable to pay income tax at the basic rate, dividend nil or ordinary rate or the basic or starting rate for savings after your personal allowance has been reduced by the transfer.

You must elect to claim the Marriage Allowance within four years after the end of a tax year. If the claim is made online it will remain in force until you give notice to withdraw it. Claims made via your self assessment tax return will only apply to that particular tax year.  

If we prepare a tax return for you, we will review your income level and include a claim for the Marriage Allowance, or advise you of the steps to take, if appropriate.

Separation and divorce

If you and your spouse or civil partner separate between the end of a tax year and the date your tax return is due, there’s a slight chance you’ll lose your eligibility for the marriage allowance.

Cancelling the Marriage Allowance normally takes effect from the next tax year unless the marriage or civil partnership has come to an end through:

• Divorce (decree absolute)
• Order of judicial separation
• Decree of nullity
• In the case of a civil partnership, a dissolution order, order of nullity or order of separation.

In these circumstances, the withdrawal of the marriage allowance can be backdated to the start of the tax year.

Death of a partner

If a spouse or civil partner dies, it’s possible to make a backdated claim for the Marriage Allowance providing the deceased spouse or civil partner was eligible for it when they were alive.

A claim can be made for any tax year in which you were both alive, including the tax year of death, although no claim can be made thereafter.

To discuss the marriage allowance further, you can get in touch with a member of our tax team on 01903 234094.