Marriage allowance checker
See if you're eligible to transfer part of your personal allowance to your partner, and what it could save you.
Check your eligibility
Change the numbers, the results update instantly.
Marriage Allowance applies to married couples and civil partners only. Always take advice before acting.
How it works
Marriage Allowance lets the lower earner transfer £1,260 of their unused personal allowance to their spouse or civil partner, provided the lower earner's income is below the personal allowance and the higher earner is a basic rate taxpayer. It's worth up to £252 a year, and claims can be backdated up to four tax years if you were eligible but never claimed, which can add up to a useful lump sum. It's one of several reliefs we check for as part of our self-assessment service.
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to be married to claim this?
Yes, Marriage Allowance is only available to married couples and civil partners, not to unmarried couples living together.
What if the higher earner is a higher-rate taxpayer?
Then the couple isn't eligible. Marriage Allowance only works when the receiving partner is a basic rate taxpayer, since it wouldn't produce a net saving otherwise.
How far back can we backdate a claim?
Up to four tax years, provided you were eligible in each of those years, on top of claiming for the current year.
Does the transfer affect the lower earner's tax?
The lower earner's personal allowance is reduced by the amount transferred, but since their income is below the allowance anyway, this doesn't create a tax bill for them.
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These results are a simplified illustration based on 2026/27 rates, not advice. Your real position depends on your full circumstances. For a personalised answer, book a free consultation.
Numbers looking complicated?
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