Martin Lewis Urges Married Couples to Secure Vital Tax Benefit
Financial guru Martin Lewis has issued an urgent call to married couples across the UK, urging them to claim a significant tax benefit that could be worth up to £1,260 annually. The money saving expert highlights that over 2.1 million eligible people are currently failing to secure this financial support, leaving substantial sums unclaimed.
How the Marriage Tax Allowance Works
Martin Lewis explained the mechanics of this valuable tax reduction during a recent briefing. "The crucial part of this is that one partner needs to be a non-taxpayer," he stated. "This means they are not earning their full personal allowance - the amount you can earn before paying tax."
The system allows married couples or civil partners where one person earns less than their personal allowance to transfer 10% of their tax-free allowance to their partner. This creates a combined allowance of £13,830 for the taxpayer, compared to the standard £12,570 personal allowance.
The Financial Benefits Explained
Lewis detailed the financial advantages: "The non-taxpayer now has an allowance of £11,310, whilst the taxpayer has that combined allowance of £13,830. That 10% extra tax-free allowance represents a gain of £252 annually, as they would have paid tax on it at 20%."
He emphasised that this benefit applies in virtually every circumstance where there's a non-taxpayer and a taxpayer in a marriage or civil partnership. Even if the taxpayer earns slightly above the threshold, as long as they earn over £13,830, the couple will still benefit financially.
Time-Sensitive Opportunity
Martin Lewis issued a crucial warning about timing: "The tax year ends on the 5th of April, and you can claim back up to 4 tax years as long as you are eligible. This means a potential total gain of £1,258 for past years."
For current year claims, your tax code is adjusted, while past year claims result in either a cheque or bank transfer from HMRC. The marriage tax allowance represents a significant financial opportunity that Lewis describes as "absolutely crucial" for eligible couples.
How to Claim Your Allowance
Lewis provided clear guidance for couples looking to secure this benefit:
- Mark 1st March in your diary as a reminder to make your claim
- Visit the official Gov.uk website to access the necessary forms
- Download and complete the marriage allowance application form
- Post the completed form to HMRC for processing
"There are 2.1 million eligible couples who are not claiming this benefit," Lewis reminded viewers. "They should be claiming this and could gain substantially from doing so."
This straightforward process could put hundreds of pounds back into household budgets at a time when many families are facing financial pressures. The marriage tax allowance represents one of the most accessible forms of financial support available to married couples across the United Kingdom.
