1.3 mn UK couples boosted finances with Marriage Allowance

More than 1.3 million couples across the UK have boosted their finances with Marriage Allowance, a non-ministerial government department responsible for the collection of taxes said today.
Around 4.2 million married and civil partner couples are eligible for the free tax break worth up to 220 pounds per year.
Since the start of the new tax year in April, couples have been able to backdate their allowance and boost their payment up to 432 pounds.
Applying for Marriage Allowance is quick and easy with the online form, and with customers being able to apply at any stage in the tax year, and still receive the full entitlement.

"For the more than four million eligible married and civil partner couples, the Marriage Allowance could be a welcome financial boost. What better time than the new year to claim?" said Jane Ellison, Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
"An extra 432 pounds is a really helpful way to start 2017, especially after Christmas," said Ruth Owen, Director General, Personal Tax Her Majesty'sRevenue and Customs (HMRC).

Everyone has a tax-free personal allowance of 11,000 pounds and no tax is due on income up to this amount.
The Marriage Allowance allows a spouse or civil partner who earns less than their personal allowance to transfer 1,060 pounds of it to their partner - as long as their partner does not pay more than the basic rate of Income Tax.

About four million married couples, including around 15,000 civil partnerships, stand to benefit from the Marriage Allowance, which was introduced in April 2015 by the Marriage government to reward marriage.