UK-wide
Marriage Allowance
Last verified: 4 October 2026. We check the official source every night. How we verify.
An HMRC tax allowance that lets a spouse or civil partner who earns less than the personal allowance transfer a portion of it to a basic-rate taxpayer. It is not a DWP benefit.
How much you could get
The transferable amount is a fixed portion of the personal allowance, worth a maximum tax saving that GOV.UK publishes for the tax year. Confirm the live maximum on GOV.UK.
Check the current amount on the official page.
Who can claim
You need to be married or in a civil partnership. One person should earn below the personal allowance and the other should pay basic-rate Income Tax, not higher-rate. You apply on GOV.UK and can often backdate.
Eligibility conditions
These are the structured conditions Benefit Badger uses in the eligibility check. They are a guide, not a decision.
- You live in the UK.
- You have a partner.
Check if Marriage Allowance may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.
When it may not apply
Unmarried couples cannot claim. Higher-rate or additional-rate taxpayers cannot receive the transfer. It will not help if both people already use their full personal allowance.
Where you live
Marriage Allowance is available UK-wide, but the claim route can still differ across nations.
Browse benefits in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the A–Z list.
How to claim
- Apply on GOV.UK if you are married or in a civil partnership. Marriage Allowance transfers a portion of the personal allowance from a non-taxpayer to a basic-rate taxpayer. It is an HMRC tax claim, not a DWP benefit. Official page
- Check incomes first. It only helps when one person earns below the personal allowance and the other pays basic-rate tax. Higher-rate taxpayers do not qualify. GOV.UK has the live thresholds.
- You can often backdate. HMRC’s page explains how many tax years you can claim for. Use the official service; there is no paper form sold by third parties that you need to buy.
- This does not affect Universal Credit directly as a “benefit”. It changes Income Tax. If you also claim benefits, report tax changes the way those benefits require.
Official sources
- Marriage Allowance — GOV.UK (primary source)
Related benefits
See all income and work benefits.
Source: HM Revenue & Customs. This page is guidance from an independent service, not a government decision. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility and make a payment.
Check if this may apply to you
It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.