Married Couples’ Allowance

The Married Couple’s Allowance is a UK government tax relief for couples where one of the spouses or civil partners is born before 6 April 1935. If you and your partner were born on or after 6 April 1935, you might be able to claim the Marriage Allowance instead. The Married Couple’s Allowance can reduce your (or your partner’s) tax bill by between £364 and £941.50 for the 2022/23 tax year.

Who’s eligible?

You can claim for the Married Couple’s Allowance if all the following apply to you or your partner:

• You’re married or in a civil partnership
• You’re living together with your partner
• One of you was born before 6th April 1935

If you and your spouse or civil partner have to separate through circumstance rather than a mutual decision to formally separate, you might be able to still claim. Circumstances include:

• Illness or old age – such as when your partner is in residential care
• Working away from home
• In the armed forces posting
• In prison

How do you claim for Married Couple’s Allowance?

You can claim for Married Couple’s Allowance when you file a Self Assessment tax return. You simply need to complete the Married Couple’s Allowance section of the form.

If you don’t fill in a Self Assessment tax return each year, then you must contact HMRC with details about your:

• Marriage or civil partnership ceremony
• Spouse or civil partner (including date of birth)