Christmas boost for married couples in the North West

HM Revenue and Customs

With 500,000 people eligible for receiving Marriage Allowance in the North West, married couples are being reminded to apply for a Christmas cash boost by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today.

Applying online for Marriage Allowance – a tax break for married couples - is quick and easy. Couples can apply at gov.uk/marriage-allowance.

The Allowance means a spouse or civil partner who doesn’t pay tax – either because they’re not earning at all or because they’re earning below £10,600 - can transfer up to £1,060 of their personal tax-free allowance to a spouse or civil partner – as long as the recipient of the transfer doesn’t pay more than the basic rate of Income Tax. This can help save couples up to £212 a year.

Ruth Owen, Director General, Personal Tax, HMRC, said: “Marriage Allowance means couples up and down the country can get a bit of extra support at a time of year when we all need a little more cash.

“Whether you use it to buy presents for the family or put it away for a rainy day Marriage Allowance means saving £212 on your tax bill every year.

“People can apply at any point in the tax year and still receive the full benefit of the allowance."