The new tax year has kicked off, and while most of us are bracing for the usual HMRC letters, tax code changes, and calculations, there’s a lesser-known allowance that could give thousands of people a serious boost — and it’s completely legit.
The Personal Allowance, which lets you earn £12,570 tax-free each year, has stayed frozen for a while now. But what many don’t realise is that if you’re registered as blind or severely sight impaired, you could increase that allowance by an extra £3,130 — meaning you pay no tax on the first £15,700 you earn this year. That’s an extra £626 staying in your pocket instead of going to the taxman, reported the Express.
And no, you don’t have to be fully blind to qualify. As long as you’re registered with your local council as blind or severely sight-impaired, or you have a certificate from your doctor saying so, you could be eligible.
Even better, if you don’t earn enough to use the full Blind Person’s Allowance yourself, you can transfer it to your spouse or civil partner to make sure it’s not wasted. The key detail is that you have to be married or in a civil partnership — just living together won’t cut it. And if both of you qualify, you can both receive the allowance.
HMRC’s rules vary slightly across the UK. In England and Wales, you just need to be registered or have a certificate proving your status. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, there’s an extra step: you must also be unable to do work where eyesight is essential.
To claim, it’s as easy as picking up the phone — just call HMRC on 0300 200 3301 and they’ll guide you through the process.
And while you’re at it, it’s worth checking whether you’re eligible for other tax boosts too. For example, the Marriage Allowance lets a non-taxpayer transfer some of their unused Personal Allowance to their partner if the partner is a basic rate taxpayer. It’s another one that’s often missed but can save couples hundreds of pounds a year.
So, if you’re dealing with sight loss or know someone who is, this is one tax perk you don’t want to overlook. At a time when every penny counts, it could make a real difference.
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