HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has sent a reminder to married couples and those in civil partnerships who could receive tax relief of up to £1,220. The government department has urged eligible couples to share their personal tax allowances to make themselves available for the benefits.
The allowance can apply if one partner earns below the personal allowance threshold of £12,570 while the other is a basic rate taxpayer. Furthermore, couples who have been together for years are still eligible for the allowance and can transfer 10 percent of their tax-free allowance to their partner which reduces the tax they pay by up to £252 a year, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In fact, if eligible, couples can backdate their claims for up to four previous tax years. Claims can be made directly via HMRC's online portal to ensure they receive 100 percent of the tax relief they are eligible for.
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Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s deputy chief executive and second permanent secretary, said: “We want to ensure people are receiving vital financial support at a time when they need it most. Married couples or those in a civil partnership could potentially receive tax relief worth up to £1,242, meaning extra cash in their pockets. To find out if you are eligible and how to apply, search ‘marriage allowance’ on gov.uk.”
HMRC believes more than two million couples currently benefit from the allowance. Even if couples do not qualify at first, a change in circumstances could make them eligible at a later date.
For example, if one partner retires or takes a career break and other remain in work. Moreover, if a spouse or civil partner has died since April 5, 2018, the surviving person is still able to claim by contacting the income tax helpline, according to HMRC. More information can be found at www.gov.uk/marriage-allowance.
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