Personal tax reliefs:
the complete guide
Three reliefs catch most people out: the High Income Child Benefit Charge claws back Child Benefit above a certain income (but pension contributions can legitimately reduce it), Marriage Allowance can be backdated four years if never claimed, and your student loan plan type significantly changes your repayment threshold and rate.
Several personal tax reliefs and charges go unclaimed, miscalculated, or simply misunderstood every year, often costing people money they didn't need to pay, or missing a repayment they were owed. This guide covers the three that come up most often.
The High Income Child Benefit Charge
Once the higher earner in a household passes a specific income threshold, the charge starts clawing back Child Benefit already paid. See exactly how the charge is calculated, and crucially, how pension contributions and other legitimate planning can reduce or avoid it.
Marriage Allowance: often unclaimed
If one partner in a marriage or civil partnership earns below the personal allowance, they can transfer part of it to a basic-rate taxpayer partner, and the claim can be backdated up to four years if it's never been made. See our Marriage Allowance guide.
Student loan repayment plans
Which student loan plan you're on, Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, or a Postgraduate Loan, changes your repayment threshold and rate significantly, and self-employed borrowers repay differently to employees. See our student loan repayment guide to check you're on the right plan.
In this guide
High Income Child Benefit Charge
What it is and exactly how it's calculated.
How to avoid or reduce the charge
Legitimate pension and Gift Aid planning that works.
Marriage Allowance explained
Eligibility, savings, and backdating up to four years.
UK student loan repayment plans
Plan 1/2/4/5 and Postgraduate, explained.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reduce the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
Yes, pension contributions and Gift Aid donations reduce the adjusted net income the charge is based on, which can reduce or eliminate it entirely for those close to the threshold.
Can Marriage Allowance be backdated?
Yes, up to four previous tax years in addition to the current one, provided you were eligible throughout, which can produce a meaningful lump sum if never claimed before.
How do I know which student loan plan I'm on?
It depends on when and where in the UK you started your course, your loan provider or the Student Loans Company online account confirms which plan applies to you.
Does being self-employed change how I repay my student loan?
Yes, self-employed borrowers repay through Self Assessment once a year rather than automatic payroll deduction, calculated on total income for the tax year.
Make sure you're not missing a relief you're owed
Book a free consultation and we'll check your Child Benefit, Marriage Allowance and student loan position.